Thermal power plants use steam to generate electricity, with coal, oil, solar, and nuclear power being common fuel sources. The Rankine cycle is often used, with geothermal plants using naturally occurring steam. Fossil fuels are heavily polluting, while nuclear sources have safety concerns. Solar thermal systems are renewable but face efficiency and variable challenges. Advances are needed to meet growing energy demands and reduce fossil fuel consumption.
A thermal power plant uses steam to turn turbines, which in turn power electric generators. Most of the power plants in the world use thermal energy to operate. A thermal power plant is usually defined by the type of fuel used to heat water and create steam. Coal, oil, and even solar and nuclear power can be used to create the steam needed to run a thermal plant.
Many thermal power plants operate in a partially closed circuit, using the so-called Rankine cycle. Water is heated by fuels, such as coal or nuclear energy, until it becomes steam. The vapor is passed through a series of chambers making it stronger, hotter and more powerful. The steam reaches the turbines and spins them, then is pushed into a cooling storage area where it can condense back into water. The water can then be reused to create steam, completing the cycle.
One type of thermal power plant that emits the heating phase is a geothermal plant. This makes use of steam and naturally boiling water that rises from the earth in the form of geysers and hot springs. Geothermal springs can be unpredictable and have somewhat limited use due to their occurrence only in certain locations, such as along tectonic watersheds. However, geothermal plants use less energy than many other varieties, making them more cost and time efficient.
One of the major concerns of a thermal plant is the fuel used to generate steam from the water. Common fuel sources include coal and other fossil fuels, which have several inherent problems. In addition to the dwindling resources available, fossil fuels are generally heavily polluting and many scientists believe they are a major contributor to global warming. Nuclear sources are much cleaner, but concern many about the possibility of a harmful leak that could contaminate surrounding areas for centuries.
Thermal solar systems have the advantage of not being polluting and of also using a completely renewable resource: sunlight. Using solar panels to absorb the sun, lenses and mirrors then concentrate the heat to activate a steam generator. This technology is in its infancy at the beginning of the 21st century; the efficiency and variables of a moving sun continue to create problems in building a large capacity solar thermal plant.
A thermal power plant is a powerful tool in the daily life of the planet; many regions receive most of their energy supply from thermal power plants. Experts say the technology requires advances and refinements to meet growing energy requirements. Furthermore, the pressure to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and create low-polluting energy sources requires new ideas, plans and experiments to be brought to the field.
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