What are the factor affecting to performance characteristic of generator?
Generator in thermal power plant is one of the devices having maximum efficiency. Still there is a scope of improving the efficiency of the generator. By operating the machine at nearly full load with very high load factor one can maintain the high efficiency of generator.
Maximize the temperature of the heat input (within restrictions of metallurgical limits). Efficiency will be highest when the heat sink is coldest (on cold winter nights). Minimize friction and other irreversibilities that generate entropy. As noted by Chintan Patel above all other things being equal most generators are most efficient when operating at nearly full load.
Taking into account a generator itself, as an electro mechanic converter connected to a gear box mains and to medium voltage system, the electrical efficiency is mainly related to the available cooling means and the load, understood as limiting factors to generation and operation point changes along the efficiency characteristic of a generator. Typically water close circuit heat exchanger with generator canopy cooling air and cooler for bearing oil circuits. The efficiency is also affected by the excitation field and MW/Mvar generation status due to heat effects. To change the efficiency characteristic itself it comes into account the way the generator is built, windings and field distribution, field generation and stability. As reference see the differences between conventional and superconducting cryogenic generators.
A good design with high quality materials used during construction and excellent running parameters without overloading the set with automatic voltage regulation will prove the generator most efficient more than expected values.
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