Power Plant Engineering: From Theory to Industry Practice

L&T EduTech via Coursera Specialization

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Provider

Coursera Specialization
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

12 weeks, 2 hours a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Intermediate

Found in

Overview

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This specialization provides a comprehensive understanding of thermal, gas-based, and nuclear power plants by combining fundamental engineering principles with real-world industrial practices in design, operation, performance optimization, and environmental compliance. Learners will develop expertise in thermodynamic cycles, boilers, turbines, generators, plant auxiliaries, instrumentation, control systems, and emission control technologies while gaining insight into modern power plant layouts and operational strategies. By the end of the specialization, learners will be prepared for engineering, commissioning, operations, maintenance, performance analysis, and project execution roles across the power generation industry. Target Learners This specialization is designed for engineering students, graduate engineers, and early-career professionals seeking careers in power generation and energy sectors. It is also suitable for power plant operations, maintenance, commissioning, and project engineering professionals looking to enhance their technical expertise. Professionals transitioning into thermal, gas, or nuclear power plant roles will benefit from its industry-focused and application-oriented approach.

Syllabus

Course 1: Power Plant Engineering: Fundamentals & Thermal Cycles
Course 2: Coal Power Plants: Steam, Turbines & Emission Control
Course 3: BOP Systems: Material Handling, Water, and Compressed Air
Course 4: Combined Cycle & Nuclear Power Plant Engineering
Course 5: Power Plant Electrical Systems and Generator Fundamentals
Course 6: Instrumentation and Control Systems in Power Plants

Courses

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This course specialization provides a comprehensive understanding of material handling and balance-of-plant systems essential for reliable and safe thermal power plant operation. It covers the functions and technologies of material handling systems, with detailed focus on fuel oil handling, including unloading, storage, forwarding, and safety practices. The course explains coal handling plant (CHP) design, layout, and operational considerations, along with ash handling systems, their layouts, and ash utilization practices. Limestone and gypsum handling systems used in emission control are also addressed. Water systems form a major component of the specialization, covering raw water intake system design, source selection, and components, supported by practical virtual walkthroughs. Learners gain insight into water chemistry, quality requirements, water balance diagrams, and circulating water systems with cooling towers. The course further covers water treatment systems such as pre-treatment, chemical dosing, filtration, demineralization using ion exchange and reverse osmosis, chlorination, condensate polishing, and power cycle chemical treatment. Steam and Water Analysis Systems (SWAS) and compressed air systems for instrument and service air are also included, providing an integrated view of auxiliary systems in power plants.
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This course specialization provides a structured and industry-oriented understanding of steam power plant engineering, covering the complete process from steam generation to power production and emission control. It begins with the fundamentals of steam generation, including boiler definition, types, auxiliaries, and detailed study of steam generators. The course covers Fluidized Bed Combustion boilers and Pulverized Coal–fired steam generators, with technical emphasis on subcritical and supercritical steam generators and their circulation systems. Key topics include fuel firing systems, heat transfer, efficiency assessment, air and draft systems, power station fans, air heaters, soot blowers, and coal milling systems, including feeders and pulverizers. Environmental control is addressed through overviews of Electrostatic Precipitators, bag filters, Flue Gas Desulphurization systems, and NOx reduction techniques using SCR and SNCR. The specialization also introduces steam turbines, their types, major components, auxiliary systems, condenser, condensate, and feedwater systems, providing an integrated view of thermal power plant operation.
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This course specialization provides a comprehensive introduction to gas-based and nuclear power generation technologies, focusing on plant configuration, major systems, and operational principles. It begins with the advantages and historical development of gas turbine power plants, covering open cycle and combined cycle power plants along with their layouts. Learners gain detailed understanding of gas turbine components, auxiliary systems, and associated subsystems such as intake filtration, turbine cooling, lubrication and jacking oil systems, hydraulic and control oil systems, blow-off systems, fuel gas and fuel oil systems, water injection, purge water, sealing air supply, and compressor cleaning techniques. The specialization further explains the role and classification of Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG) in combined cycle power plants, along with layout inputs, configuration-based classifications, and key layout considerations. In addition, the course introduces nuclear power plant technology, covering working principles, components, reactor classifications, and thermodynamic cycles. Detailed attention is given to Boiling Water Reactors, Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors, Gas-Cooled and Breeder Reactors, including safety systems, Indian PHWR safety features, fuel and water systems, major nuclear accidents, waste disposal, site selection, and plant layout. This integrated approach builds a strong foundation in modern power generation systems.
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This specialization provides a comprehensive understanding of instrumentation and control systems in modern power plants, focusing on selection, operation, and integration of critical instruments. It begins with the fundamentals of instruments and final control elements, covering industrial drawings, selection criteria, sizing, and applications for pressure, temperature, level, and flow measurement. Supervisory instruments and steam and water analysers are explored in detail, along with control valve construction, sizing, actuator types, cavitation, and flashing considerations. The course also covers power plant control systems, including architecture, configuration, communication, and automation. Learners gain practical knowledge of automated control systems, wireless communication, and fieldbus protocols such as Foundation Fieldbus and ProfiBus. The curriculum emphasizes real-world application, providing insights into system integration, reliability, and performance optimization. By completing this specialization, learners develop the skills to effectively design, operate, and maintain instrumentation and control systems in power plants, ensuring safe, efficient, and automated plant operations.
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This specialization provides a comprehensive understanding of generator and electrical power systems used in modern power plants. It begins with the basics of generators, covering types, construction, cooling methods, auxiliaries, excitation systems, specifications, and component features. Learners explore generator testing, excitation and synchronisation, as well as detailed study of generator auxiliaries, including cooling water systems, seal oil systems, stator coil cooling, and H₂ and CO₂ gas systems. The course extends to electrical system layouts, including main power, plant auxiliary distribution, and power evacuation systems. It covers key equipment such as generator transformers and step-up transformers, along with auxiliary distribution systems, low- and medium-voltage motors, and emergency power supply systems. Students gain insight into other critical electrical systems, physical design and layouts, cable raceways, earthing, and lightning protection. Practical aspects of electrical power system studies, design considerations, and integration of main, auxiliary, and evacuation systems are emphasized, providing learners with the knowledge to effectively design, operate, and maintain reliable electrical systems in power plants.
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This course specialization offers a structured and industry-oriented introduction to power plant engineering, with a primary focus on coal-based thermal power plants. It begins by examining the global energy scenario and major power generation technologies, establishing the role of thermal power plants within modern power systems, along with key statutory, regulatory, and fire protection aspects. Learners develop a strong foundation in thermodynamics, covering basic principles and detailed analysis of thermodynamic cycles. The specialization explains the basic Rankine cycle, open- and closed-loop systems with condensers, and a range of modified Rankine cycles, including higher boiler pressure, superheated steam, reheat, and regenerative feedwater heating using open and closed feedwater heaters. The relationship between cycle efficiency and number of heaters, as well as the impact of irreversibilities in actual Rankine cycles, is clearly addressed. The Brayton (Joule) cycle is also introduced to broaden understanding of power generation cycles. The course then transitions to coal-based thermal power plants, highlighting subcritical and supercritical technologies, heat and mass balance diagrams, and key design and performance parameters. Practical understanding is strengthened through 3D models, virtual plant tours, turbine generator building layouts, and overall plant plot plan interpretation. Finally, learners analyze site selection factors—technical, economic, environmental, social, and accessibility—through real-world case studies.