Thermoelectric power plants
Introduction
A thermoelectric power plant (also called thermal power plant) is an installation used to generate electrical energy from thermal energy, such as that released by fossil fuels, uranium, a conventional thermodynamic cycle to move an alternator and produce electrical energy, in the case of using fossil fuels, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect.
When heat is obtained through the controlled fission of uranium nuclei, the thermoelectric plant is known as a nuclear power plant. This type of plant does not contribute to the greenhouse effect, but it has the problem of radioactive waste that has to be stored for thousands of years and the possibility of serious accidents.
They can use non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, diesel, gas or nuclear fuel, or renewable energy sources, such as biomass "Biomass (energy)") or geothermal energy.
Plants that use fossil fuels generate a lot of energy in a large space and emit very polluting gases. As for those that use biomass, if their consumption exceeds the regeneration capacity of the vegetation from which they are nourished, they can cause deforestation.
History
The first thermoelectric power station was built in the town of Ettal "Ettal (Germany)") in Bavaria and came into operation in 1879. The first commercial power plants were the Pearl Street Power Station in New York and the Edison Electric Light Station in London, which came into operation in 1882.
These first plants used piston steam engines. The development of the steam turbine made it possible to build larger and more efficient power plants, so by 1905 the steam turbine had completely replaced piston steam engines in large power plants.
Conventional cycle thermoelectric plants
Classic or conventional cycle power plants are those thermal power plants that use the combustion of coal, oil or natural gas to generate electrical energy.
They are considered the most economical plants, which is why their use is widespread in the economically advanced world and in the developing world, despite the fact that they are being criticized due to their high environmental impact.