More than 70% of my country's electricity comes from thermal power plants, of which coal power accounts for 92% and gas power accounts for 4%. The principles of coal-fired power plants and gas-fired power plants are similar. They first convert the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical energy, and then convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy through turbines and generators, but the main equipment and system processes are far apart.

The following 5 animated pictures show different power generation principles:

▲ Principle of nuclear power generation process

▲ Principles of hydroelectric power generation process

▲ Principle of CSP

▲ Principles of waste-to-energy

The following 3D animation video describes the entire process of electricity production in thermal power plants in the United States. It is very intuitive that everyone can see the working principle of each component:

As one of the most complex and sophisticated industrial systems on the planet, the editor may not be able to finish it for three days and nights, but through the following pictures, you can still intuitively understand how a thermal power plant works.