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Electricity is produced in a generating plant. The simplest type of generator has two main components: a rotating magnet called the “rotor,” which turns inside stationary coils of copper wire called the “stator.” However, there are many different types of power plants depending on the energy source being used.
Touch the graph to learn the basic steps involved in generating power in a fossil fuel-based power plant.
In non-fossil fuel-based plants, the generation process changes:
- In a nuclear plant, steam is produced by the controlled splitting of uranium atoms in a process known as nuclear fission.
- In a hydroelectric power plant, moving water provides the energy to turn the turbine blades.
- With wind turbines, the flow of wind turns the turbine blades, which then turn an electric generator.
- With solar thermal power, sunlight is concentrated by mirrors and heats a fluid that drives an electric generator.
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