kraftverk

kraftverk, the Norwegian term for a power plant, is a facility that converts energy stored in fuels or natural resources into electricity for the grid. Plants vary in scale from small installations to large regional facilities and may operate continuously, intermittently, or as peaking plants. They typically include an energy conversion system, a turbine or engine, a generator, boilers or heat exchangers, a cooling system, transformers, and control equipment to connect to transmission networks. Some kraftverk also provide useful heat through combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

Common types include thermal power plants (coal, oil, gas, biomass) that burn fuel to produce steam; nuclear plants that heat water by fission; and renewable plants such as hydroelectric, wind, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, geothermal, and biomass facilities. CHP plants often improve overall efficiency by using waste heat for heating or industrial processes.

Hydroelectric plants use flowing water to turn turbines; wind plants rely on rotor blades driven by wind; solar photovoltaic plants convert sunlight directly into electricity; solar thermal plants use mirrors to create steam for a turbine.

Environmental and regulatory aspects include emissions controls, water use, land impact, waste management, and decommissioning. Plants are designed with safety, reliability, and maintenance in mind, and their operation is subject to energy-market regulation and grid codes. The role of kraftverk in electricity systems ranges from providing baseload or intermediate power to meeting peak demand, with ongoing transitions toward lower-carbon technologies and greater integration with storage and interconnections.