Steam Power Plant and its Merits and Demerits

Question

Write a brief note over the Steam Power Plant. State it's various merits and demerits.

Answer 1

Steam Power Plant is also known as thermal power plant which is used to generate electricity and it’s working is based on the Rankin cycle.  It is widely operated around the world, because it can be operated round the clock with the coal used as the fuel.

Merits are:

•  Fuel is cheap.
•  Plant can be placed near the fuel and water source.
•  Less space is required for construction.
•  Low Installation cost compared to hydroelectric power plant.
•  The erection, construction and commissioning of thermal power plant requires less period of time than a hydroelectric power plant.

Demerits are:

•  Smoke is produced during its operation which affects environment.
•  Cost of power generation is more when compared to other power plants.
•  Location of the plant when far away from distribution area, the cost of transmission is more.
•  Power plant cannot be used during peak load.
•  Stand by losses is more, as the boiler continues to work even after the turbine is switched off.