What process does thermal generation use to produce electricity?

Thermal generation produces electricity by converting heat energy derived from fuel sources into electrical energy. This process typically involves burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, or oil, which generate heat. The heat is used to convert water into steam, and the high-pressure steam then drives a turbine connected to a generator, ultimately producing electricity.

This method is fundamental to many power plants, where the efficiency of converting thermal energy into electrical energy is a key factor in their operation. Thermal generation is prevalent because it has been a traditional means of producing power for many years, leveraging readily available fuels that can be efficiently burned to produce substantial amounts of energy.