How Natural Gas Plants Work
Natural gas plants are an important part of TVA’s energy generation mix. We have more than 90 generators that run on natural gas and diesel fuel.
Natural gas plants help TVA keep power flowing when demand is really high — like cold winter mornings or hot summer afternoons.
Combustion turbines are already cleaner than other types of power generation, but TVA uses state-of-the-art technology to reduce their environmental impacts.
Did you know?
These generators turn on quickly. Many reach full power in just 12 minutes.
They generate up to 12,000 megawatts – enough for about 7 million homes.
A Jet Engine
Natural gas and fuel oil are used in combustion turbines.
These machines work like a jet engine. Air enters the front of the unit and is squeezed and mixed with gas. Then, it is ignited — like lighting a candle. That turns the fuel into thermal energy.
The hot gas from the fire turns the blades. In a jet, this makes the engine roar and the plane race down the runway. In a combustion turbine, it produces electricity.
While jet engines are really loud, a combustion turbine sounds more like a lawn mower.
Some combustion turbines can capture the heat from the gas turbine and produce up to 50% more electricity. The heat boils water to create steam, which turns a second turbine to power a second generator.
Natural gas plants can run all the time, or they can be used when more energy is needed.
Fuel Sources
Natural gas is the primary fuel for TVA’s combustion turbines.
Natural gas is a fossil fuel. It’s part of what’s left behind from plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. The United States produces nearly all the natural gas it uses – for energy production, industry use and for homes.
But combustion turbines can also use other types of fuel:
Diesel Fuel – like the fuel used in some cars and machinery, diesel fuel is made from oil.
Methane – landfills can produce gas as waste breaks down. This gas is similar to natural gas and contains methane.
Renewable Diesel – fuel made from used cooking oil or vegetable oil.
Crossword Puzzle
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- 2. Natural gas is a type of _____ fuel
- 4. Natural gas plants can run all the time or when energy ____ is high.
- 5. A benefit of combustion turbine energy plants is that they are ____.
- 6. These types of combustion turbines produce up to 50% more energy than single turbines.
- 8. Combustion turbines work much like this type of engine.
- 9. Natural gas plants convert this type of energy to electricity.
Down ↓
- 1. Many combustion turbine generators reach fool power in this many minutes.
- 3. Air and fuel are mixed together and ___.
- 6. Combustion turbines can run on renewable diesel fuel made from this type of used oil
- 7. A type of fuel used at gas energy plants.