1 Brief Introduction to The Electric Power System Part 1 Minimum electric power system A minimum electric power system is shown in Fig.1-1, the system consists of an energy source, a prime mover, a generator, and a load. The energy source may be coal, gas, or oil burned in a furnace to heat water and generate steam in a boiler; it may be fissionable material which, in a nuclear reactor, will heat water to produce steam; it may be water in a pond at an elevation above the generating station; or it may be oil or gas burned in an internal combustion engine. The prime mover may be a steam-driven turbine, a hydraulic turbine or water wheel, or an internal combustion engine. Each one of these prime movers has the ability to convert energy in the form of heat, falling water, or fuel into rotation of a shaft, which in turn will drive the generator. The electrical load on the generator may be lights, motors, heaters, or other devices, alone or in combination. Probably the load will vary from minute to minute as different demands occur. The control system functions （are） to keep the speed of the machines substantially constant and the voltage within prescribed limits, even though the load may change. To meet these load conditions, it is necessary for fuel input to change, for the prime mover input to vary, and for torque on the shaft from the prime mover to change in order that the generator may be kept at constant speed. In addition, the field current to the generator must be adjusted to maintain constant output voltage. The control system may include a man stationed in the power plant who watches a set of meters on the generator output terminals and makes the necessary adjustm...
