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Electrical

Power Generation

A hands-on, video-led course on how electricity is generated — from prime movers and power-plant types through AC alternators, diesel generator sets, automatic transfer switches and the synchronising…

Level 4 18 Lessons 5 Quizzes 2 Hours +

About This Course

This course gives mechatronics technicians a practical, industry-grounded understanding of electrical power generation. It begins with the fundamentals — how mechanical energy is converted to electricity through electromagnetic induction, why power is generated and distributed as three-phase AC, and the main types of power plant (thermal/steam, gas-turbine and hydroelectric) and the prime movers that drive them. From there it builds up the AC generator (alternator) itself: its stator and rotor construction, how EMF is induced, synchronous speed, excitation and the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) that keeps output voltage steady under changing load.

The second half is centred on the equipment a Nigerian technician meets every day: the diesel generator set. Students learn the genset’s components — engine, alternator, fuel and cooling systems, governor and control panel — how an automatic transfer switch (ATS) starts the set and changes over the load on a mains failure, and how to service and maintain a generator safely. The course closes with synchronising and paralleling generators — matching voltage, frequency, phase sequence and phase angle using lamp and synchroscope methods, sharing load and the protection that keeps machines safe. Workshops emphasise safe operation, measurement, fault-finding and routine maintenance to prepare students for roles operating and servicing generating plant.

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What Will You Learn?
  • Explain how mechanical energy is converted to electricity by electromagnetic induction and why power is generated as three-phase AC.
  • Describe the main power-plant types (thermal/steam, gas-turbine, hydroelectric) and the role of the prime mover in each.
  • Identify the stator, rotor and excitation parts of an AC generator (alternator) and explain how EMF and frequency are produced.
  • Calculate synchronous speed and frequency from the number of poles and shaft speed.
  • Explain how an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) and exciter keep the generator's output voltage steady under changing load.
  • Identify the components of a diesel generator set and describe the role of the engine, alternator, governor and control panel.
  • Explain how an automatic transfer switch (ATS) detects a mains failure, starts the genset and changes over the load safely.
  • State the four conditions for synchronising a generator and use the lamp and synchroscope methods to parallel a machine.
  • Carry out safe routine maintenance and basic fault-finding on a generating set.

Course Content

Module 1

Power Generation Fundamentals and Power-Plant Types

What's included
4 Videos 1 Reading 1 Graded Test
Module 2

AC Generators (Alternators) and Voltage Control

What's included
4 Videos 1 Reading 1 Graded Test
Module 3

Diesel Generator Sets, Control and Changeover

What's included
5 Videos 1 Reading 1 Graded Test
Module 4

Synchronising and Paralleling Generators

What's included
4 Videos 1 Reading 1 Graded Test
Module 5

Final Examination

What's included
1 Graded Test
Module 6

Resources & Further Reading

What's included
1 Reading
Module 7

Assignments

What's included
4 Assignments

Requirements

  • Completion of Level 1-3 electrical fundamentals, or equivalent knowledge of voltage, current, AC/DC and three-phase supply.
  • Familiarity with electrical safety and isolation, PPE and use of a multimeter.
  • Basic numeracy for power, frequency and synchronous-speed calculations.

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