A conventional steam electric power plant/power station converts fossil fuels - coal, gas or oil - into electric energy. Fuel burned in the boiler releases heat, which boils water and converts it into high-pressure superheated steam.

The steam enters a turbine where it expands and pushes against blades to turn the generator shaft to create electric current. After the steam passes through the turbine, condensers convert it to water, which is then returned by pumps to the boiler to repeat the cycle.

Combustion gases exit through the stack.

This process is basically the same for all fossil fuels. A stream of hot air carries coal, crushed to powder for easy burning, into the boiler. Oil generally enters as a fine spray of droplets in hot air.

TXU Energy (REP Certificate No. 10004) and Luminant are not the same company as Oncor Electric Delivery and are not regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and you do not have to buy TXU Energy's or Luminant's products to continue to receive quality regulated services from Oncor Electric Delivery.