Energy Atlas

How The World Is Powered
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Thermal Generating Station

Large-scale power stations that generate electricity by burning a fuel to raise steam, including Drax Power Station, whose four units now burn compressed wood pellets after conversion from coal. Belongs here: a facility that generates electricity by combustion, whether fossil or biomass fuel. Does not belong here: fossil fuel infrastructure that does not itself generate electricity, such as a pipeline, grouped under Fossil Fuel Infrastructure.

Facts
Comparison
Era of Emergence
1882 1
Physical Basis
Thermal (Steam Cycle) 1
Browse By
Sources
1. Thermal power station - Wikipedia
  • Thermal power station, History section, Pearl Street/Holborn Viaduct sentence
    When the first commercially developed central electrical power stations were established in 1882 at Pearl Street Station in New York and Holborn Viaduct power station in London, reciprocating steam engines were used.
  • Thermal power station, lead section, thermodynamic cycle sentence
    The heat from the source is converted into mechanical energy using a thermodynamic power cycle (such as a Diesel cycle, Rankine cycle, Brayton cycle, etc.).
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.