A simple power plant consists of a boiler, turbine, condenser and a pump. Fuel, burned in the boiler and superheater, heats the water to generate steam. The steam is then heated to a superheated state in the superheater. This steam is used to rotate the turbine which powers the generator.
Electrical energy is generated when the generator windings rotate in a strong magnetic field.
After the steam leaves the turbine it is cooled to its liquid state in the condenser. A simple power plant is described by a Rankine Cycle. The steam is then condensed at constant pressure and temperature to a saturated liquid, state 3. The heat removed from the steam in the condenser is typically transferred to the cooling water. Then the whole cycle is repeated.