Technology and Operation of Electric Power Systems

Abstract

Today's developed societies are inconceivable without electric power. Indeed, in societies where basic human needs such as food, health care, decent housing and education are met, "electricity and running water" are usually the two primary conveniences immediately associated with quality of life. Electricity, with its versatility and controllability, instant availability and consumer-end cleanliness, has become an indispensable, multipurpose form of energy. Its domestic use now extends far beyond the initial purpose, to which it owes its colloquial name ("light" or "lights"), and has become virtually irreplaceable in kitchens for refrigerators, ovens and cookers or dishwashers and any number of other appliances, and in the rest of the house as well, for air conditioning, heating, radio, television, computers and the like. But electricity usage is even broader if possible in the commercial and industrial domains: in addition to providing power for lighting and air conditioning, it drives motors with a host of applications such as lifts, cranes, mills, pumps, compressors or other machine tools. Industrial activity that uses no manner of electricity is simply unimaginable. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2013.