Power Plants and How they Work
Steam created by
heating the water
turns a turbine.
Energy is used to heat
water
Turning of turbine
creates electicity.
80% of all energy used in the US is
formed in this way
There are many different ways to heat
water to create steam.
Power Plants use energy to
heat water.
Most commonly the power
comes from burning
coal.
Diagram of a Turbine
Steam from heated water
turns the blades around
a shaft. The turning
creates electricity.
Most of our energy is
created by somehow
turning this turbine.
Coal Fired Power Plants
Craig Power, Colorado
Photograph: Tri-State G&T Association
Mohave Power, Nevada
Photograph: Southern California Edison Co
Natural Gas Fired Power Plant
Moss Landing, California Operator: Duke Energy
Photograph by Declan McCullagh
Solar Power Plant
Prescott, AZ
Operator: Arizona Public Service
Photograph courtesy of Power
Nuclear Power Plant
Diablo Canyon, California Operator: PG&E
Photo taken by Jim Zimmerlin, PG&E Employee
Wind Power Plants
Medicine Bow, WY
Operator: Platte River Power Authority
Photo: Greg Goebel
Spanish Fork Canyon. UT
Operator: Wasatch Wind LLC
Photo: Suzion