Höyryvoimalat

Höyryvoimalat, also known as steam power plants, are facilities that generate electricity by using steam turbines. The fundamental principle involves heating water to produce high-pressure steam. This steam then expands through a turbine, causing it to rotate. The rotating turbine is connected to a generator, which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy.

The heat source for the steam generation can vary significantly. Historically, coal has been a dominant fuel, but modern plants increasingly utilize natural gas, nuclear reactions, or renewable sources like biomass and geothermal energy. In nuclear power plants, the heat is generated by controlled nuclear fission. In geothermal plants, naturally occurring underground heat is used to produce steam.

The steam, after passing through the turbine, is condensed back into water in a condenser. This condensation process is crucial for maintaining the pressure differential across the turbine, thereby maximizing efficiency. The condensed water is then pumped back to the boiler to repeat the cycle. Cooling towers are often a prominent feature of these plants, used to dissipate waste heat from the condenser into the atmosphere.

The efficiency of a steam power plant is influenced by factors such as the operating temperature and pressure of the steam, as well as the design of the turbine and generator. While steam power plants have been a cornerstone of electricity generation for over a century, their environmental impact, particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion, has led to a growing emphasis on cleaner energy sources and improved efficiency.