A diesel power plant is a type of power plant that uses the heat generated by burning diesel fuel to generate electricity. It produces electricity by rotating alternators using a diesel engine. A diesel power plant uses a diesel engine as its prime mover. Diesel combustion generates rotational energy. Diesel engines are equipped with alternators that are connected to the same shaft. A diesel engine’s rotational energy is converted into electricity by the alternator. There are many advantages and disadvantages of diesel power plants, which we’ll discuss in this article.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Diesel Power Plant
Advantages of Diesel Power Plant
There are several advantages of using a diesel power plant, including
1. Design and installation of these plants are very simple and straightforward.
2. It is possible to procure, install, and commission them within a short period of time.
3. It is relatively simple and cheap to lay the foundation for a diesel plant, design a building for it, and construct it.
4. With a fast start time and good efficiency (around 43-45%), these plants can quickly be put on load without any standby losses.
5. It is easier for them to store fuel because they do not require much space.
6. The ash handling problems associated with them have been eliminated.
7. Their capital cost per kilowatt of capacity is very low compared to other systems.
8. In comparison to steam power plants, the cooling water requirements for diesel power plants are much lower.
9. They can be positioned very close to the loads and can be very easy to access.
10. There is greater thermal efficiency for a diesel power plant when compared to a steam-powered power plant.
11. There is no need for a large workforce (labours or workers) to run this plant under normal operating conditions.
Disadvantages of Diesel Power Plant
Diesel power plants have many disadvantages, including the following:
1. The main disadvantage of diesel power plants is their impact on the environment. Diesel combustion releases particulate matter and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere which can have a negative effect on air quality and climate change.
2. As compared to thermal and hydroelectric power plants, this plant has a limited capacity to generate electricity.
3. There is a limit to the size in which these plants can be used.
4. Diesel is one of the most expensive fuels on the market, and as a result, diesel plants have very high operating costs.
5. It is estimated that their useful life is only about five years, which is very short.
6. It is very expensive for them to repair and maintain their equipment.
7. There is a low overload capacity of these plants.
