Journal Paper Critique

STUDY OF GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT ELECTRICAL AND CONTROL SYSTEM WITH EMPHASIS ON RELIABILITY ASPECTS

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject Electrical Control System

Submitted By: Stephen R. Chua BSEE5A Bulacan State University

Submitted to: Engr. Erwin Magsakay Professor

July 03, 2012

GEOTHERMAL TRAINING PROGRAMME Reports 2002 Orkustofnun, Grenssvegur 9, Number 7 IS-108 Reykjavk, Iceland

STUDY OF GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT ELECTRICAL AND CONTROL SYSTEM WITH EMPHASIS ON RELIABILITY ASPECTS

Haile Kebede Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation P.O. Box 1233 Addis Ababa ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT Keywords: electrical system, control system, reliability, geothermal power plant, binary process The main aim when constructing and installing electrical and control systems for a power plant is to have continuous and trouble free operation of the plant. Geothermal power plants are very different from hydro power plants. It is difficult to restart a geothermal power plant after shutdown and it is exposed to H2S corrosion. This report emphasizes plants using the binary process. The electrical system of a geothermal power plant is described, including generator, power transformer, different alternatives for switchgear configuration, protective relaying, auxiliary power supply and instrumentation. The control system configuration is described along with its effect on reliability. Operation and maintenance aspects are discussed, and both the reliability and H2S corrosion prevention aspects are discussed. Finally, the electrical and control systems in the Aluto-Langano geothermal pilot power plant are included as an example.

CRITIQUE

SYSTEM BEING INVESTIGATED The journal Study of Geothermal Power Plant Electrical and Control System with Emphasis on Reliability Aspects is published as a geothermal training programme. It discusses all about the aspects and parameters needed for a full and successful operation of a geothermal power plant (GPP), which on theidea of the author Haile Kebede, it gave an emphasis on the reliability aspects. Associated with the study is the operation of a GPP, including its kind. It also includes the study of different working fluids that can be used in a binary power plant (PP), plus the factors in selecting the right kind of it. The author also gave a quick overview of the components in electrical system of GPP, and that includes generators, power transformers, switchgear and its configurations, protective relays, and auxiliary power supply. The control system and instrumentations are also tackled, along with its configuration and its effects on reliability. SIGNIFICANCE The 20 page journal-article can be used as a ready reference and reviewer for the basic implementations and operations of a GPP. Thus, it is an aid and valuable for engineering students and professionals alike. Since the journal is a study of system that has already been established, it made no hypothesis nor a synopsis of a question. This made this journal-article different from the experimental journals available. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The following were the objectives of the author, as taken and paraphrased from the abstract of the journal: 1. To teach the reader on the basics of a GPP. 2. To give the kinds of geothermal power plant. 3. To differentiate GPP from hydroelectric PP and fossil-fuel fired PP. 4. To build a scenario of the different problems a GPP can encounter, also with its components. 5. To enumerate the components of the electrical and control system of a GPP, specifying its function. 6. Explain the importance of the power system reliability and what can make it reliable. 7. To describe the electrical and control system of the Aluto-Langano Geothermal Power Plant as an example.

DETAILS OF THE SYSTEM DEVELOPED The journal uses a direct and formal English language that can easily be understood by anyone of at least college level, but can be best understood by engineering students and professionals. It is worth noting that the author followed the strict rules on technical writing, that is, it did not use any flowery word nor a jargon that limits the understanding of the subject. The author also successfully presented his ideas direct and well. Although that the article contains many different subparts, the organization of ideas were still in a logical manner. Every working details were grouped according to their importance with the subject. EXPERIMENTAL SCENARIO The main experimental scenario of the article revolves around the importance and different parameters of a GPP, given that the article did not make any experiments to substantiate the study. It first introduce the importance of a GPP, followed by its operations. The journal specifically limit itself to the operations of a binary cycle power plant, a type of GPP, that differs from other type of GPPs by the temperature the steam of it has. The article also gave the three kinds of geothermal power plants, specifying that it depends on the temperature and pressures of the reservoir. To supplement the knowledge, the author also gave several enumerations all throughout the article, such as important points in selecting the working fluids, the important items in designing a substation, protective relays, and some more. In its succeeding subpart, the journal also tackled the remote controlled GPP, and explained why it is mostly done. Finally it the last part of the article, it studied the Aluto-Langano geothermal power plant situated in Ethiopia. OVERVIEW OF THE RESULT The article successfully emphasized the importance of power system reliability and stability that is especially produced by a geothermal power plant. Factors that contributes to a reliable system are also established, along with the help the electrical and control system does to the system.

COMMENTS

STRENGTHS -It detailed the electrical and control system components of a geothermal power plant -- ideal for beginners and those that do not have a background with the subject. -Uses conventional language that can easily be understood. -Gave several relevant enumerations, crucial for beginners -Gave meaningful and relevant illustrations

WEAKNESSES -It did not give full emphasis on the operations of a GPP, that is, the operations explained were basics that can easily be found on other sources, and it did not add any engineering principles behind it. -It defined the electrical components too basic, that is, low-level and every engineering student seem to know it beforehand. -Some confusing information arose, such as the conflicts on the types of GPPs. -Some conflicting information arose due to citations from several sources; such as the most common working fluids that are used in GPPs. -Some more important details related were not discussed well; just quick and basic details were given.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONCLUSION

Geothermal power plants are most often located in remote areas and it is, therefore, difficult to assign people to 24-hour shifts. The remote control systems enable people to solve this problem, making it possible to control from a remote site. Nowadays the automation of control equipment increases the flexibility of operation. The automation technology also provides more than one independent control system level in single or multi unit power plants. To summarize, for a geothermal power plant operation without failure and interruption, the following are important: Availability of spare parts, if possible, at least one of each kind; Standby power supply for restart after shutdown or failure; Redundant control equipment for those plant subsystems that are difficult to operate manually or are critical during emergency shutdown; H2S is a common and primary problem in geothermal power plant equipment corrosion. This is important to consider during design and to monitor during operation. H2S corrosion can be prevented by using special filters in the air conditioning system and good sealing of the control rooms and control cubicles; The staff responsible for operation and maintenance should be thoroughly trained and, if possible participate from the design stage on until final plant testing and commissioning (Hunt, 2000); Proper maintenance of equipment according to manufacturer manuals. RECOMMENDATIONS To give further details and applying engineering principles on the operations of a geothermal power plant.