Ways to Generate Power
Trace the energy paths from heat, water, wind and sunlight to electricity.
A simplified teaching model.
- Fuel
- Heat
- Steam
- Rotation
- Electricity
Rotation drives the generator. Switch to Solar to see a path without rotation.
How to play
Choose a source, then use Auto or Step. Set input strength to zero to stop the demonstration. Follow the highlighted stage along the energy path.
Learn more
Thermal, nuclear and geothermal plants can use heat to make steam that drives a turbine. Hydropower uses water; wind power uses moving air. Solar cells convert light directly to electricity without a rotating generator. These are representative paths, with equipment details and losses omitted.
Reference used in the research notes