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Reactors in Transmission and Distribution

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Reactors help in controlling power flow, enhancing voltage stability, and minimizing the risk of faults within increasingly complex power systems. Reactive power, unlike active power, does not transfer energy from source to load but is necessary for voltage control and maintaining the stability of alternating current (AC) systems. Reactors, by providing inductive reactance, absorb excess reactive power in the system, thereby controlling voltage rise, which is especially important during light-load conditions or in long transmission…

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Guide to Wind Turbines: Technical Considerations and Insights

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At the heart of a wind turbine’s efficiency lies its design. The aerodynamic performance of the blades directly impacts power output. Modern blade designs incorporate advanced materials like carbon fibre-reinforced composites, enhancing durability while reducing weight. These materials improve load distribution across the rotor, allowing for larger blades and thus, greater energy capture. The challenge lies in balancing blade length with structural integrity. Longer blades generate more energy but exert greater forces on the tower…

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Transformer Protection: Ensuring Safety and Reliability in Power Systems

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Transformers face several risks and potential faults that, if left unaddressed, could lead to system failures. Transformers can experience both external and internal faults. External faults include short circuits, overloads, and over-voltages that originate outside the transformer but impact its operation. On the other hand, internal faults occur within the transformer itself and may include short circuits between turns or windings, ground faults, excessive temperature or pressure, and the loss of transformer oil. Each of…

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Nuclear Energy and the Future: A Journey Through Material Innovation

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Advancement of Nuclear Energy Through a Materials Engineering Perspective Climate change and diminishing fossil fuels have fostered the development of cleaner and more sustainable energy sources since the past half a century. Advancements in nuclear energy have been gaining renewed attention as a source of stable and non-intermittent energy. Advanced nuclear reactors, heralded as the next generation of nuclear technology, promise to deliver safer, more efficient, and more sustainable energy. However, the success of these…

India’s EV Market: From Subsidies to Market-Driven Growth

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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently stated that the electric vehicle (EV) industry has matured to a point where government subsidies are no longer necessary to support manufacturers. Consumers are now choosing EVs or CNG vehicles on their own, potentially causing a shift in India’s mobility industry.  Gadkari highlighted that the cost of manufacturing EVs has dropped over the years, further making subsidies unnecessary. A study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that the cost of…

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Transforming Delhi’s Power Grid

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Delhi’s electricity demand has surged by 20% since 2014-15, with peak load increasing by over 30%. This growth is primarily fueled by domestic consumption, which accounts for nearly 60% of the city’s total demand. With a projected population of over 20 million by 2030, Delhi is on track to become the world’s largest metropolitan city. The city’s peak electricity demand, which reached 7,700 MW in 2022, is expected to rise by 50% by 2030, hitting…