Power Plant Schematic

[LAP3141]

TL;DR Summary

What is the basic schematic for an electric power generation plant?

A power generation plant converts chemical (or nuclear) energy into electrical energy. This energy is then sent out via conductive transmission line.

What would be a simple schematic for this process?

That is, if we liken it to a battery, then the positive pole would be the high voltage output line, but what would constitute the ground?

Is the return path, or ground, of a power plant literally the physical earth?

 

[berkeman]

What research have you done so far on this? It's pretty easy to find such information via Google and looking at the Wikipedia article(s).

Also, is this question for schoolwork, or general interest?

 

[berkeman]

BTW, there is a good set of PF Insights articles about the power grid:

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/ac-power-analysis-part-1-basics/#toggle-id-1