| Abstract: | The price per unit generated electrical energy decreases with increasing size of the generator, which implies longer transmission line and hence larger transmission losses. Considering both these facts the optimum size of thermal power station for growing demand has been obtained by using life-cycle costing analysis. The demand may be met by (1) a combination of base load and peak load generators (Sodha and Chandra, 1992) and (2) by a combination of base load generators only. The second option has been analysed in this paper. The dependence of investment ratio (the ratio of present worth of net income to the capital investment) on relevant parameters has been studied. It is seen that there exists a particular pattern (optimum combination) of base load generators. The effect of electricity price, coal price and escalation rates on the optimum configuration has also been investigated. The cost data from recent study in India have been used. |
