Machine-translated from English. Technical facts should be checked against the cited source material.
How power plants work
in interactive 3D.
Choose a technology to explore an animated 3D model. Follow each step from the energy source to the grid, compare the main technology variations, then find real examples on the map.
Wind turbine
A wind turbine converts the kinetic energy of moving air into rotation, then into electricity.
Explore in 3DSolar photovoltaic plant
Photovoltaic (PV) cells turn light directly into electricity.
Explore in 3DHydropower station
Hydropower uses the energy of falling or flowing water.
Explore in 3DNuclear power station
Follow fission heat through a two-loop pressurised-water reactor, a separate steam cycle and a third cooling circuit.
Explore in 3DCombined-cycle gas plant
A combined-cycle plant recovers more energy from its fuel: a gas turbine generates electricity, then its hot exhaust makes steam for a second turbine..
Explore in 3DCoal-fired power station
Follow a subcritical pulverised-coal drum boiler with reheat.
Explore in 3DGeothermal power plant
Geothermal plants use heat from deep underground.
Explore in 3DBiomass CHP plant
One fuel supply, two useful outputs.
Explore in 3DBattery storage
Grid batteries store energy rather than creating a primary energy source.
Explore in 3DTidal stream turbine
Follow moving seawater through a yawing seabed turbine, checked gearbox and sealed induction generator.
Explore in 3DFollow power between two grids
Generation is only the beginning. Trace AC–DC–AC conversion in an MMC HVDC link, inspect both DC conductors, explore an optional isolated DC/DC stage, and check an interactive power balance.
Explore the HVDC transmission learning lab →Inside the substation
Follow every phase through an HV/MV transformer, inspect switchgear and protection cutaways, and calculate voltage drop, load delivery and losses.
Explore the substation learning lab →Simplified illustrations, not engineering drawings. Explanations are based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Energy Explained series and other cited sources.