TYPES OF POWER PLANTS BY: Irene, Álex and Nizar
EXPLANATION This unit consists in the differents types of power plants and the different energy sources.
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS ï‚ž
The hydroelectric power plants use the mechanical energy of falling water to turn a turbine.
EOLIC OR WIND POWER PLANTS ď‚ž
Eolic or wind power plants use the mechanical energy of the wind. The turbines are large windmills that turn with the wind.
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS ď‚ž
Nuclear power plants use the heat generated when radioactive elements. this heat is used to boil water and create steam to turn a turbine.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS The solar photovoltaic power plants do not use turbines or generators. Electrical current is created when the sun shines on photovoltaic cells.
THERMAL POWER PLANTS ď‚ž
They use the chemical energy stored in a combustible fuel. Coal, petroleum or natural gas is used to boil water and produce steam. The steam turns a turbine.
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS ï‚ž
The Solar thermal power plants use the heat of the sun to boil the water and create steam. Again, the steam turns a turbine.
CURIOSITIES ď‚ž
The most common type of power station is the thermal power station. Thermal power stations burn coal, oil or natural gas to make steam. The steam expands creating pressure that spins turbines. The spinning turbines produce electricity using a magnetic field, the same way as a small generator works.