Thermal power plants, also known as combustion power plants, run on the energy generated by a steam boiler that can run on biomass, natural gas, coal, or heating oil. A turbine is triggered by the steam, and the turbine then powers an alternator to generate energy. Compared to moving coal or petroleum over the same distance, electricity transmission is more efficient. The country’s electricity is produced nationwide by India’s Thermal Power Plant.

A Thermal Power Plant: What Is It?

A thermal power plant is a device designed to transform thermal energy into electrical power or energy for use in homes and businesses. Steam-operated turbines convert heat first into mechanical power, then into electric power during the electricity generating process. Thermal power plants use the heat energy generated by burning solid fuels, most commonly coal, to produce steam at high pressure and temperature. This steam helps the turbine shaft that is attached to the generator to rotate. The turbine impeller’s kinetic energy is converted to electric energy by the generator.

Thermal Power Plant Types

Thermal power plants use heat from a fuel source to create electricity, as the name suggests. Typically, the heat produces steam in a boiler, which powers a steam turbine that is connected to a generator. They are categorized as follows based on the heat source:

1. Coal Power Plant

The energy source for coal-fired thermal plants was coal. Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower are used in addition to traditional energy sources like thermal, nuclear, and hydropower to produce power in India. Although a significant amount is generated, coal-fired thermal power plants generate about 75% of the total electricity produced.

2.  Natural Gas Power Plant

Gases or oils are used as fuel in gas thermal power plants. Gas-fired power stations, also referred to as natural gas power plants, are thermal power plants that use natural gas as fuel to generate electricity. With 31 gas-based plants, 14.3 GW of India’s 24.824 GW developed capacity for gas-based energy.

3. Thermal energy Power Plant

Geothermal power stations employ underground fluids to produce heat. Some 340 geothermal hot springs are estimated to exist in India, according to the Geological Survey of India. Regarding direct heat applications, the majority of them are perfect because of their low surface temperatures, which range from 37 to 90 degrees Celsius. Soon, in Ladakh, India will establish its first geothermal power plant.

4. Biomass Power Plant

Various materials such as bagasse, rice husk, straw, cotton stalk, coconut shells, soy husk, etc. are used to produce heat using biomass thermal power. India has long relied heavily on biomass as a source of energy. It is abundant, renewable, carbon-neutral, and has the potential to greatly boost jobs in rural areas. Furthermore, biomass can generate consistent energy.

5. Nuclear Power Plant

Nuclear fission is the source of heat produced by nuclear power plants, and the operation phase of a nuclear power plant usually lasts the longest during its whole cycle. Asia’s first nuclear reactor is the Mumbai-based Apsara Research Reactor. India currently has 22 nuclear power reactors with an installed capacity of 6780 MegaWatt electric power operating in 7 states.

The three primary categories of thermal power plants used in India are indicated here, along with their installed capacities.

Factors Affecting Thermal Power Plant Location

Steam is used in a thermal power plant to generate energy. As a result, the power plant should be situated where resources—such as fuel and raw materials—are readily available for the production of energy. When choosing locations for nuclear power plants, socioeconomic and engineering aspects that impact the design, building, and operation of these facilities are taken into account. Here is a summary of some of the key variables that affect where thermal power plants are located.

• Fuel availability in the terrain, such as coal, water availability
• Closeness to major population centers
• Availability of supplies and raw materials
• Facilities for transportation
• Manpower availability
• Infrastructure
• The site’s size

List of Thermal Power Plants in India

India’s Top 10 Largest Thermal Power Plants

1. Madhya Pradesh’s Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station
2. Gujarat’s Mundra Thermal Power Station
3. Gujarat’s Mundra Ultra Mega Power Plant
4. Talcher Super Thermal Power Station, Odisha
5. Tiroda Thermal Power Plant, Maharashtra
6. Sasan Ultra Mega Power Plant, Madhya Pradesh
7. Uttar Pradesh’s Rihand Thermal Power Station
8. NTPC Dadri, Uttar Pradesh
9. Chandrarapur Super Thermal Power Station, Maharashtra; and
10. Sipat Thermal Power Plant, Chhattisgarh

Five of India’s ten largest thermal power plants, which are all coal-fired, are owned and operated by the government-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). Nonetheless, the government and the private sector both run thermal power facilities.

Benefits of Thermal Power Plants

Here is a list of a few benefits of thermal power plants.

1. Fuel is very inexpensive.
2. The production of energy is simple.
3. Less expensive to start up.
4. Require less space.
5. Has less power generation costs.
6. Can be erected anywhere.

The Drawbacks of Thermal Power Stations

1. Not very efficient
2. Have higher operational expenses.
3. High maintenance expenses are associated with thermal power facilities.
4. Need a lot of water to convert their water streams.

India’s thermal power plants play a significant role in the nation’s social and economic infrastructure. Their responsibility lies in producing electricity, a vital component for human survival. Most of the electricity produced in India comes from coal-based power plants. India is still making a significant contribution to the high output of thermal power plants despite the coal crisis.

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