This compressed air is heated by the burning fuel and expands. The expanding air pushes the turbine generators much like steam does in a steam-electric station. The turbines then turn the electric generators. Like hydroelectric stations, combustion turbines are started quickly, operate only for a short time to meet peak demand, and then are shut down. Hydroelectric and combustion turbine plants ensure that Duke's customers have an adequate supply of electricity when it's needed most.
Combustion turbines operate differently from coal-fired or nuclear plants.
They use fuel oil or natural gas to heat compressed air which then expands to drive a turbine-generator to produce electricity. Homes and industry use electricity around the clock. Although less than five percent of Duke Power's electricity is generated at these plants, they are still an important and vital energy resource for customers. In simplest terms, a turbine is a series of many long, thin blades similar to propeller blades. The resulting combustion develops 300,000 horsepower.