Giant generators for growing power demand

Abstract

Giant generatorsDuiilig th/e past fifteen years thle idiclivichual size oJ'geilncrtitlig plants h/Is increlasedc at a/ tntaIStic rate. This powterc development ha.s introducedi a newt claiss oJ ever-larg-er stecain furbine-generators lb Icii ge outputs Gorcloni D. Friedllainder Stlaf writer In previous articles, the writer examilined tidal power projects' and puimped-storatge systemns2 as two means of meeting the rapidly increasing power demand. In this article, a third metliod-the very laige rotating generator-is explor-ed.Since the end of World War 11, the regenerative reheat steamil power plant cycle. operating at inlet stearm conditions of 145t) psig at 10()(F and highier, has achieved universal acceptatnce by American electric utilities as the -nmost practical method of meetinig the insistent demaind( for ellicient, low-cost power generation. Rising fuel and capital costs were the para1mount reason why the demand( had to be met. Europe.The GE investigation About a dozen years ago. the prime question foir whici the manufacturers sought a delinitive answer was: Are 'ex large turbogenerators economical and practical ? In 1955, General Electric conducted an investigation of the economic size of stearn-electric generating units, the purpose of which was to determinie the optimumil size of such units that should be added to an expati(ling power systeni. 'he study attempted to consider such factors ais the size of a system,. for-ced outage rate, ratte of load growth, installed cost of larger generating uniits, the etlect of a maintenance prograimi, and the efTect High-, intermediate, and low-pressure elements for a 500-MW single-shaft turbogenerator during erection in shop. 70 IEFE slpectiruim ii-ERUARY 1965