Diesel Power Plants

Diesel Power Plants

Diesel power plants of 2 to 50 MW capacities are used in central power station for peak loads in conjunction with either steam or hydraulic power plants.

These plants are also used by industrial undertakings for small power supplies.

The plants are also installed at places where fuel costs are low, water supply is limited, where loads are relatively small and electric supply is not available or it is available at high costs.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Diesel Power Plants :

Advantages of Diesel Power Plants :

1. They can install quickly.
2. They can be started and stopped quickly as and when required.
3. It does not need any warming up period.
4. Diesel power plants can take up the load immediately of steam power plants during the period of its warm up , since they do not have any stand by losses.
5. These are more efficient upto 100MW capacity.
6. Cooling water requirements are low.
7. Overall capital cost per unit of installed capacity is less.
8. These plants can run efficiently at part load.
9. Man power needed for operation and supervision of installation is less.
10. System is more clean and fuel handling system is comparatively simpler compared to steam power plants.
11. It can burn wide range of fuels.

Disadvantages of Diesel Power Plants :

1. The capacity of diesel power plants is limited compared to steam or hydraulic power plants
2. Generation cost per unit is high.
3. These plants are not suitable for continuous over loads.
4. It has high maintenance and lubrication costs.
5. It is noisy in operation.
6. Life of diesel power plants is limited upto 5 years as compared to steam power plants having the life of about 25 years.