Ontario Power Generation
How Thermal Power Generation Works
Thermal generating stations are in essence factories that convert the energy in coal, oil, natural gas or biomass into a flow of electrons called electricity. Learn more about how they work by watching the video and reading the text below.
Thermal generating stations use the power of steam to propel generators that produce electricity.
To create the steam, water is heated in boiler tubes that surround a large industrial furnace that burns either coal, oil, natural gas or biomass, depending on the type of generating station. The steam is transferred under pressure at high speed through large pipes to a turbine. It is this pressure and flow that pushes the blades of the turbine, causing it to spin.
The turbine is connected to a generator that contains the rotor. The rotor is a electromagnet located within coils of copper wire called the stator. As the generator rotor spins, a flow of electrons is created in the stator.
This produces electricity that can be stepped up in voltage through the station transformers, and sent from the station across transmission lines.
The steam from the turbine is condensed back to water, using cooling water from the lake, and pumped back to the boiler where it is reheated to continue the process.
Station Diagram
Click below to download a diagram of a fossil-fuelled generating station.
SD Report
Our 2009 Sustainable Development Report is now available for download.