Electricity Generation Methods
Compare the system roles of thermal plants, nuclear, hydropower, wind, solar and other generation technologies.
Electricity Generation Systems
Thermal, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, distributed generation and generation performance.
Power Generation System Components
Prime movers, generators, transformers, cooling, controls and auxiliary systems in a conceptual plant architecture.
Thermal Power Generation
How heat is converted into electricity in combustion- or steam-based generation systems.
Combined-Cycle Power Plants
Why gas turbines and steam cycles can be combined to recover more useful electricity from fuel energy.
Nuclear Power Systems
A high-level explanation of nuclear generation as a heat source feeding a steam-electric power cycle.
Hydropower Systems
How water elevation and flow can drive turbines and generators.
Wind Power Systems
How wind turbines, collection networks, power electronics and grid connections form a generating plant.
Solar Photovoltaic Power Systems
How PV modules, inverters, collection systems and grid connections convert sunlight into electricity.
Geothermal Power Systems
How naturally occurring underground heat can support electricity generation where resources are suitable.
Biomass Electricity Systems
How biological feedstocks can be converted into electricity within controlled industrial plants.
Power-Generation Efficiency
Understand the difference between conversion efficiency, heat rate, auxiliary loads and net output.
Capacity Factor
Why installed megawatts and actual annual energy production are not the same thing.
Flexible Generation
Why some generating resources are valued for ramping and start/stop capability as well as energy production.