Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
increases the cost. Therefore, the parameters of elevation and slope
should be considered.
7. Rivers and loodways:
Obviously, the power plant should be a rea-
sonable distance away from permanent and seasonal rivers and
floodways.
8. Water resources:
Different amounts of water are required for the
construction and operation of a power plant and could be supplied
from either rivers or underground water resources. Therefore, hav-
ing enough available water in a defined vicinity can be a factor in site
selection.
9. Environmental resources: Power plant operation has important
impacts on the environment. Therefore, priority should be given to
locations that are far enough from national parks, wildlife, protected
areas, and so on.
10. Population centres: For the same reasons, the site should be far
enough from population centres.
5.1.2 Need for Power
In general, the site should be near areas where there is greater need for genera-
tion capacity to decrease the amount of power loss and transmission expenses.
1. Climate: Parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind direction
and wind speed affect the productivity of a power plant and always
should be taken into account.
2. Land cover: Some land cover types such as forests, orchards, agri-
cultural land and pastures are sensitive to pollution caused by a
power plant. The effect of the power plant on the land cover types
surrounding it should be considered.
3. Area size: Before any other consideration, the minimum area size
required for the construction of the power plant should be defined.
4. Distance from airports: Usually, a power plant has high towers and
chimneys and large volumes of gas. Consequently, for security rea-
sons, they should be located away from airports.
5. Archaeological and historical sites: Usually historical buildings are
fragile and at the same time very valuable. Therefore, the vibration
caused by a power plant can damage them, and a defined distance
should be considered.
5.1.3 Characteristics of a Steam Power Plant
The desirable characteristic for a steam power plant are as follows:
1. Higher plant efficiency
2. Lower initial cost
