The electricity we use in our homes, schools and businesses is a manufactured product. The first item necessary in making electricity is fuel, such as coal, natural gas, oil or uranium. One of our plants uses fuel oil and natural gas, and KCPL also owns part of Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Station. Regardless of the fuel choice, however, the process of making electricity remains roughly the same from one type of plant to another.
Water runs through the boiler in a series of pipes.
As the water heats, it turns to steam under intense pressure. This pressurized steam spins a series of giant fan-like blades in the turbine. Spinning at speeds approaching 3,600 RPM, or 1,000 MPH, these blades in turn spin a rotor. The rotor turns inside a cylinder of copper wires that constantly cut through its magnetic fields. Magnets spinning inside a coil of wire create the electrical current.