Turbines & Alternative Energy Forms

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Comparing Alternative Energy Forms

Turbines

One aspect of alternative energy that is crucial to its success is turbine technology. Turbines are found in the principle energy production part of three different alternative energy forms. Nuclear Power, Wind Power, and Hydroelectric Power are derive energy through the use of a turbine, and another machine called a generator.

A nuclear power turbine works somewhat differently than the turbine that is used in a hydroelectric or wind power station. The water that is heated from the energy coming out of the nuclear reaction is what drives the turbine. When superheated steam was developed, the first turbine that could be moved by steam alone was invented.

Wind power and water power turbines work similarly but have great differences in their size. A single water power turbine can fill great rooms and has blades as large as people. For this reason a wind power plant will generate a great amount of energy. A wind turbine is much smaller and correspondingly will generate much less. The speed that a water power turbine will move is also different than that of a wind power turbine or a nuclear power turbine. A water power turbine will turn much slower than a wind power turbine, or a nuclear power turbine because the size of the turbine is so much greater.

For information about the physics associated with turbines including magnetic fields, heat, thermal energy and conductivity, look at the corresponding help pages.

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	Turbines One aspect of alternative energy that is crucial to its success is turbine technology. Turbines are found in the principle energy production part of three different alternative energy forms. Nuclear Power, Wind Power, and Hydroelectric Power are derive energy through the use of a turbine, and another machine called a generator. A nuclear power turbine works somewhat differently than the turbine that is used in a hydroelectric or wind power station. The water that is heated from the energy coming out of the nuclear reaction is what drives the turbine. When superheated steam was developed, the first turbine that could be moved by steam alone was invented. Wind power and water power turbines work similarly but have great differences in their size. A single water power turbine can fill great rooms and has blades as large as people. For this reason a wind power plant will generate a great amount of energy. A wind turbine is much smaller and correspondingly will generate much less. The speed that a water power turbine will move is also different than that of a wind power turbine or a nuclear power turbine. A water power turbine will turn much slower than a wind power turbine, or a nuclear power turbine because the size of the turbine is so much greater. For information about the physics associated with turbines including magnetic fields, heat, thermal energy and conductivity, look at the corresponding help pages.