Technology & Living Standards - Power Generation Machinery

Power Generation

Of all the inventions that improved productivity and living standards, machines that replace man and beast muscle to do work rank at the top. Power is the average amount of energy per unit time. A power generator (converter, engine, motor) transforms one kind of power into another that does mechanical or electrical work, produces sound or light, and/or change the state of a substance. The power generated can be transmitted over short or long distances to the point of final use.

Note: A common measure of power is horsepower (hp) that will be used throughout this discussion.

The most fundamental energy are electromagnetic (EM) radiations from the sun, thermal (heat) from the earth, water falling from a height, the ebb and flow of tidal water, water waves, and the circulation of air in the atmosphere, called wind. The sun's EM is transformed into plants, which provide chemical energy (fuel) for man and beast muscles, and in the form of wood, coal (fossil plants), petroleum and natural gas (mostly fossil marine animals), and animal and plant fats and oils. Machines that convert these fundamental energy sources are called prime movers, in contrast to secondary energy converters. (see list below).

There are many kinds of power converters, i.e., machines that convert power from one form to another:

Windmills convert wind power into mechanical power (rotating shafts).

Water wheels and water turbines convert the gravitational energy of falling water to mechanical energy and power (rotating shafts).

Tidal converters convert tidal power to mechanical power.

Batteries convert chemical power into electrical power (electricity).

Fuels convert chemical power into the power of explosives and into mechanical power (rotating shafts) via various internal combustion (gasoline, kerosene) engines, gas turbines, external combustion (steam) engines and turbines, nuclear reactors and jet engines.

Electric generators convert mechanical energy (rotating shafts) into electrical energy and power (electricity).

The sun converts its nuclear energy into electromagnetic (EM) energy (solar radiation, solar power) that, in turn, is converted into food in plants and animals, into light and heat energy, and into electricity via solar cells.

Electric motors convert electricity into mechanical (rotating shafts) that drive wheels, gears, pumps, fans, etc. Thus, there are continuous, ubiquitous energy convertions that not only increase living standards immeasurably, but make life itself possible.

Power transmission systems carry power over short and long distances and in different directions. Examples are automobile transmissions, electrical power stations, and antennas. There are many more. Electrical distribution systems carry electricity to offices, factories, and homes throughout the economy.

Engines are also classified by whether they are stationary (manufacturing, "industrial") or mobile (transportation). Stationary engines are used in factories to drive machinery while mobile engines are used in vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, airplanes, boats, ships) to propel them. Many of the engine types listed below can be built for mobile and stationary use.

Primary nonfuel power generators: