Steam turbines and thermal power plants: Overview
The boiling-water machines behind coal, nuclear and biomass power
What this tile covers Boilers raise steam that spins turbines, in coal, oil, nuclear, biomass and waste plants. Share of use 9% share of final energy use (2025)Share of world total final energy consumption (about 435 EJ, calculated: motor systems 13,462 TWh are 53% of electricity, so about 25,400 TWh or 91 EJ, and electricity is about 21% of final energy) that passes through this device or is used by this sector, latest year available. Electricity-based devices use electricity's 21% share of final energy (IEA WEO 2025). Overlaps between devices and sectors are allowed and noted. Coal (34%) plus nuclear (about 9%) made about 43% of world electricity in 2025, nearly all through steam turbines; 43% of electricity's 21% share of final energy is about 9.0% (calculated). Lower bound: excludes biomass, waste, geothermal and the steam stage of combined-cycle plants. Counts electricity delivered, so overlaps generators and transformers. Source: Global Energy Review 2026: Electricity supply, International Energy Agency.
Key facts
| Chain | Chemical (coal) → heat (boiler) → steam → mechanical (turbine) → electrical (generator) |
Included from the reference tables
- Coal power plant
- Oil-fired plant
- Rankine cycle
- Organic Rankine and Kalina cycles
- Stirling, hot-air and thermoacoustic engines
Linked to the material world
Tc Thermal coalSt SteelH₂O WaterAlso in Conversion devices
CCGT Gas turbines and combined cycleICE Internal combustion engines and gensetsGen Generators and alternatorsMot Electric motors and drivesPE Transformers and power electronicsFC Fuel cellsElz ElectrolysersHP Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigerationEH Electric heatingLED Lighting and displaysBlr Boilers, furnaces and stovesExplore paths from here
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