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The different types of thermal power plants
Mis à jour le
January 28, 2026
8
Min reading
Thermal electricity production began in the 1880s, following the coupling of industrial steam engines to current generators. Today, these thermal power plants represent nearly 75% of global electricity production.
In this article, SirEnergies introduces you to the different types of thermal power plants, whether they use coal, fuel, gas, nuclear or renewable energies.
What is thermal energy?
Thermal energy was discovered in 1847 by the English physicist and mathematician James Prescott Joule, after whom the unit of energy and Joule's law was named.
Thermal energy comes from displacement of atoms and molecules constituting a solid, liquid or gaseous body. This displacement is accompanied by a rise in its temperature and therefore by warmth.
This thermal energy can be produced from various processes. Physics, Chemicals, Mechanics or Nuclear. It represents the quantity of energy contained in a body (petroleum, coal, gas, biomass, uranium, etc.) depending on its mass and temperature.
How does a thermal power plant work?
In a thermal power plant, the principle is always the same, We use the heat released by combustion coal, fuel, gas, etc. or by the fission of uranium atoms to produce thermal energy.
The production of electricity is then carried out by converting this thermal energy using the expansion of a heated and compressed gas. This gas may come either from combustion fumes or from water vapor produced with the heat released by the combustion or fission of atoms.
It then sets in motion either a combustion turbine or a steam turbine and thus transmits its energy to an alternator.
In concrete terms, here are the different stages of operation:
- In the boiler, energy is released for Heat water And the Turn into steam at high pressure;
- This vapor is transformed into mechanical energy In a turbine Who results in a alternator ;
- When the alternator is rotated, it generates between its rotor and its stator a magnetic field Who spawns a Electric current of high intensity;
- A transformer increases the voltage of this electrical energy to facilitate its transport;
- At the exit of the turbine, the steam is again transformed into water thanks to a condenser connected to a cold source, sea or river;
- Once cooled, the water is recovered and circulated again in the boiler, a new cycle then begins;
- The water from the cold spring is returned to its natural environment, the sea or the river, with a few degrees of temperature in addition;
- The hot gases, or fumes, resulting from combustion, are dedusted using filters, then evacuated through chimneys to be released into the open air.
The combustion process
The combustion process consists in burning fuel. sturdy, liquid or gaseous. This fuel then reacts with oxygen, the oxidizer, to produce heat. This exothermic reaction also produces carbon dioxide (CO2).
To recover the maximum amount of heat and therefore obtain the best combustion efficiency, the fuel must be burned in its entirety. The aim of this combustion is to generate heat ; it is also accompanied by light in the form of a flame.
Steam production
Water vapor is used in power plants as driving force to transform the heat emitted by the combustion process into mechanical energy.
For this, we Take advantage of the change in phase of water between liquid and gaseous states according to the Rankine cycle in a circuit where the water will be vaporized and heated in the boiler (boiler) by heat exchange with the hot source, then the steam will be expanded in a turbine to provide work and therefore mechanical energy. Finally, the steam will be condensed in a condenser in contact with cold water to return to liquid state.
Various optimizations of the Rankine cycle make it possible to improve the energy efficiency of thermal power plants, such as:
- By superheating the steam (in a superheater),
- By preheating compressed water to a liquid state with combustion gases (economizer).
This cycle is illustrated by the following diagram:
Electricity production
In a thermal power plant, steam generates work that makes it possible to do Turning a turbine causing an alternator to rotate. Thanks to the mechanical energy supplied by the turbine, the alternator generates alternating electrical current.
Recycling
In the Rankine cycle described above, at the outlet of the turbine, the steam is transformed into water using a condenser using a cold source, generally water coming from the sea or from a river. The steam is thus condensed into water and can go back to the boiler to start a new cycle.
Flame-fired power plants
The flame-fired power plant, called classical power plant, is the most widespread and oldest type of power plant. She uses fossil fuels and works with a steam boiler.
There are different types of flame-fired power plants depending on the type of fuel used:
Coal-fired power plant
The coal is ground into fine particles then mixed with heated air and finally injected under pressure into the boiler burner where combustion will take place.
Gas-fired power plant
The gas is injected as it is into the burner to be burned there. It may be natural gas or gas recovered from industrial processes but cannot be stored or transported, so-called fatal gas, resulting from blast furnaces or industrial chemical or extraction processes.
Oil fired power plant
The Fuel oil, too viscous, is liquefied before being burned. To do this, it is heated before being injected into the burner.
Biomass thermal power plant
The fuel used is biomass vegetable or animal. The main advantage of this non-fossil fuel is that it is inexhaustible if produced in an ecological way.
The main sources of these organic materials, called biomass, are:
- Solid matter such as wood, straw, plants, agricultural waste such as sugar cane and even organic household waste;
- liquid material such as vegetable oils;
- Gaseous matter such as biogas.
Nuclear thermal power plants
In a nuclear power plant, heat is produced from the fission uranium atoms. A nuclear power plant is therefore a steam engine in which the heating of water takes place without combustion but by means of fissile materials.
The fission of uranium or plutonium nuclei creates a chain reaction that releases large amounts of heat and allows water to be heated.
Source: IRSN
In this type of power plant, a primary circuit, completely closed, makes it possible to extract the heat produced by the nuclear reaction. The water that circulates there reaches over 300°C and is kept under pressure to remain liquid.
Then, as in a conventional thermal power plant, a circuit, called secondary, makes it possible to produce steam. This secondary circuit uses the primary circuit as a hot source and water from a river or sea as a cold source.
This type of power plant makes it possible to produce nearly 70% of the electricity of French energy mix.
Renewable heat power plants
There are other very specific types of thermal power plants that do not use fuel.
Power plant geothermal
Les geothermal power plants use Earth's heat as a heat source by pumping water at more than 150°C into aquifers under very high pressure; water that will vaporize as it rises to the surface. Then, as in a conventional thermal power plant, the steam will be transformed into electrical energy.
Solar thermal power plant
In a solar thermal power plant, steam is produced from Sun radiation. These power plants rely on the use of mirrors to capture and concentrate the sun's rays at a specific point and generate very high temperatures in excess of 400°C.
Pressurized water circulates in this receiver, which will rise to a very high temperature and constitute the hot source of a secondary circuit exploiting the Rankine cycle, as in conventional thermal power plants.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a thermal power plant?
As we have just seen, thermal power plants are of different types even if they are all based on The principle of the steam engine : a gas propels a turbine that drives an alternator generating an electric current.
Depending on the fuel they use and the technology of their boiler, they are more or less polluting and can generate environmental risks or, on the contrary, present a attractive alternative to fossil fuels.
The advantages of thermal power plants
- They are quick to build and require few investments (except for nuclear power plants);
- They are available almost in real time to meet demand;
- They are very variable in size, from a few MW to thousands of GW;
- They only depend on the availability of fuel (except for solar thermal power plants).
It should also be noted that:
- The gas-fired combined cycle power plant, by combining a combustion turbine and a steam turbine, makes it possible to increase energy efficiency ;
- The cogeneration power plant makes it possible to produce heat and electricity at the same time and thus increase the efficiency of the installation;
- Solar thermal and geothermal power plants are ecological.
The disadvantages of flame-fired power plants
- They are responsible for half of greenhouse gas emissions;
- They also emit air pollutants;
- They use limited and non-renewable fossil sources;
- They lead to dependencies on producing countries.
Energy transition: What future for thermal power plants in France?
In France, the policy in favor of energy transition has led to the decision to close the most polluting thermal power plants.
Thus, on March 31, 2018, the last French oil-fired electricity production unit was closed. This unit with a unit capacity of 700 MW was located at the Cordemais power plant, in Loire-Atlantique.
Likewise, the closure of the last 2 coal-fired power plants located in Cordemais and Saint-Avold was planned for 2022, but the current energy crisis has resulted in the resumption of these power plants in order to pass the peak periods of winter 2022—23.
It should be noted that some of these power plants are going to be converted to biomass. As for gas-fired power plants, they remain essential to the security of supply and no closure is planned.
Finally, despite the closure of the Fessenheim nuclear power plant on June 30, 2020, the renewal of nuclear power was announced by President Macron with the construction of 6 new EPRs.
Thermal power plants make up most of the electricity production capacity in France, especially thanks to Nuclear power park.
Although in France the last 2 coal-fired power plants are in the process of being closed, it should be understood that there are 2,400 in the world and that 600 construction projects exist, mainly in Asia.
Source: Carbonbrief
This makes coal the main source of electricity with more than a third of global electricity production. The steam engine therefore still has a bright future ahead of it despite the global climate change crisis.
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The answers to your questions
What is the Multiannual Energy Programming (PPE)?
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La Multiannual Energy Programming (PPE) is the strategic management tool for France's energy policy. Established by the 2015 law on energy transition for green growth (LTECV), it serves as a compass for the State, communities and businesses.
Concretely, the PPE sets the priorities for action of the public authorities for the management of all forms of energy on the national territory. It covers a period of ten years, divided into two periods of five years, and must be revised periodically to adapt to technological and economic developments.
It deals with major topics such as:
- Security of supply.
- Improving energy efficiency and reducing consumption.
- The development of renewable and recovered energies.
- The electrical production strategy (nuclear, thermal, etc.).
- The balanced development of networks and storage.
It is crucial not to confuse it with National Low Carbon Strategy (SNBC). While SNBC sets carbon budgets (the ceilings for greenhouse gas emissions by sector), the PPE determines the technical and energy resources to achieve them.
Quel est l'impact réel de la rénovation de l'éclairage public ?
C'est le levier le plus rapide pour obtenir des résultats visibles. L'éclairage représente environ 40 % de la consommation d'électricité d'une commune.
Passer au LED avec pilotage intelligent permet de réduire la facture de 50 à 80 %, avec un retour sur investissement (ROI) rapide, souvent estimé à 2 ou 3 ans.
How do I read an electricity or gas bill?
One invoice consists of several elements: consumption, supplier share, taxes and contributions. The analysis of each line makes it possible to identify possible errors and to check the consistency with the signed contract.
Quelle est la différence concrète entre le transport et la distribution d'électricité ?
Le transport (RTE) correspond aux "autoroutes" de l’électricité. Il s’agit de transporter de très grandes quantités d'énergie sur de longues distances, depuis les centrales de production (nucléaires, barrages, parcs éoliens offshore) vers les régions de consommation.
La distribution (Enedis) s'apparente aux "routes départementales" et aux rues. Elle récupère l'électricité à la sortie du réseau de transport pour la livrer directement chez le client final, en abaissant la tension pour qu'elle soit utilisable par vos appareils.
What taxes are particularly relevant to manufacturers?
The industry is concerned by TICFE, TICGN and other contributions that may represent an important part of invoices. Sirenergies identifies cases of exemption and accompanies the procedures to benefit from them.
Pourquoi ma facture de gaz va-t-elle augmenter en 2026 ?
L'augmentation s'explique par la revalorisation de l'Accise sur le gaz à 16,39 €/MWh et la hausse de 3,41 % du tarif de transport (ATRT 8).
S'y ajoute l'entrée en vigueur des Certificats de Production de Biogaz (CPB), un nouveau coût réglementaire pour soutenir le biométhane.
Face à ces évolutions, Sirenergies vous accompagne dans l'achat de gaz naturel pour sécuriser vos prix malgré la volatilité du marché.
How do I get a tax exemption?
Some businesses may obtain a partial or total exemption from the TICFE or the TICGN, depending on their activity and energy intensity. The support of an expert makes it possible to identify the eligibility criteria and to put together the file.
What is the difference between €/MWh and kWh?
The €/MWh is a price unit used in wholesale markets, while kWh is the unit visible on your bills.
Quels sont les cas d'usage concrets des différents types d'IA pour un acheteur d'énergie ?
Chaque modèle d'IA répond à un besoin spécifique du cycle d'achat :
- L’IA générative sert d'assistant de recherche pour synthétiser en quelques minutes des rapports de marché massifs (veille stratégique).
- L’IA déterministe est l'outil de la fiabilité : elle est indispensable pour le forecast (prévision de consommation) car ses calculs sont mathématiques et reproductibles.
- L’IA probabiliste est dédiée à la gestion des risques : elle simule des scénarios (ex: météo, stocks) pour quantifier l'incertitude sur les budgets futurs.
L'expertise humaine reste néanmoins indispensable.
Pourquoi mon contrat est-il en kVA et ma consommation en kWh ?
Le kVA mesure la capacité maximale que votre compteur peut supporter à un instant T, tandis que le kWh mesure la quantité d'énergie consommée sur une durée.
Is Bellenergie Business electricity really green?
Yes. The supplier guarantees an offer 100% renewable via the official Guarantees of Origin (GO) mechanism.
For the most demanding companies, the offer GREENVOLT+ ensures very low carbon intensity electricity, sourced exclusively from independent French producers (hydraulic, wind, solar).
Quelle est la différence entre un prix Forward et un prix Spot ?
Le prix Forward est fixé à l'avance (sécurité budgétaire), tandis que le prix Spot varie heure par heure selon le marché (opportunité mais risque élevé).
What is energy sourcing?
Sourcing consists in identifying and analysing the offers of several electricity and gas suppliers. This approach makes it possible to obtain contracts adapted to the consumption profile and budgetary constraints of the company.
Fin de l'ARENH au 31 décembre 2025 : comment sécuriser mon budget énergie pour 2026?
La fin de l'ARENH (Accès Régulé à l'Électricité Nucléaire Historique) marque l'arrêt de la fourniture d'électricité à prix fixe garanti (42 €/MWh).
Dès le 1er janvier 2026, les entreprises sont exposées aux prix de marché, mais deux nouveaux mécanismes de régulation prennent le relais, bien que leur logique soit différente :
- Le Versement Nucléaire Universel (VNU) : Ce n'est pas un tarif d'achat, mais un mécanisme de redistribution a posteriori. Si les prix de marché de l'électricité nucléaire dépassent un certain seuil (environ 78 €/MWh selon les estimations pour 2026), EDF reversera 50 % des revenus excédentaires aux consommateurs. Attention : Si les prix de marché restent modérés (sous les 78 €/MWh), le VNU ne se déclenche pas. Il agit comme une assurance contre les flambées extrêmes, pas comme un tarif bas garanti.
- Les CAPN (Contrats d'Allocation de Production Nucléaire) : Réservés aux industriels électro-intensifs, ces contrats de long terme (10-15 ans) permettent de réserver une part de la production nucléaire en échange d'une participation aux coûts du parc. Ils offrent une visibilité sur le long terme pour 50 à 70 % des volumes consommés.
Conseil stratégique : Ne comptez pas sur le VNU pour réduire votre facture en 2026 si les marchés restent stables. Auditez vos contrats dès maintenant pour intégrer une part de prix fixe ou explorer des "Power Purchase Agreements" (PPA) pour sécuriser vos coûts sur le long terme.
What are the consequences of overpowering?
Exceeding capacity leads to financial penalties and can impact the size of the contract. Adjust the correctly subscribed power makes it possible to avoid these additional costs.
Comment l'eau est-elle transformée en électricité ?
Le processus repose sur l'utilisation de la force de l'eau (énergie cinétique) issue des courants, des chutes d'eau ou des dénivelés. Le fonctionnement suit trois étapes clés :
- Le barrage retient l'eau et l'oriente vers des conduites.
- La pression de l'eau fait tourner une turbine, créant de l'énergie mécanique.
- Une génératrice (alternateur) transforme cette énergie mécanique en électricité, laquelle est ensuite adaptée par un transformateur pour le réseau
L'IA remplace-t-elle les analystes en énergie ?
Non. L'IA traite la donnée (data processing), mais l'analyste apporte la compréhension du contexte (market sentiment) et la prise de décision stratégique.
Quel sera l'impact réel du VNU sur ma facture d'électricité professionnelle ?
L'impact dépendra des prix de marché. Le mécanisme prévoit une redistribution si les prix dépassent 78 €/MWh. Cependant, si les cours restent bas (actuellement autour de 60 €/MWh), le dispositif ne s'activera pas. La facture sera alors indexée à 100% sur les prix de marché, rendant le choix du fournisseur et du moment d'achat critiques.
Quel est le nouveau record 2025 d'exportation d'électricité de la France ?
En 2025, la France a atteint un solde exportateur net de 92,3 TWh, battant le précédent record de 2024 (89 TWh).
How to optimize taxes and contributions?
Tertiary companies are concerned by taxes such as TICFE or TICGN. Sirenergies checks the accuracy of invoices, identifies possible exemptions, and helps correct errors to sustainably reduce costs.
Pourquoi la France a-t-elle exporté un volume record d'électricité en 2025 ?
Ce record de 92,3 TWh s'explique par la conjonction de trois facteurs :
- Le redressement du parc nucléaire : Après les problèmes de corrosion sous contrainte de 2022, la production nucléaire a retrouvé une forte disponibilité (373 TWh).
- L'essor des renouvelables : Une capacité installée en hausse (solaire et éolien) et une production hydraulique solide.
- Une consommation intérieure atone : La demande française reste inférieure de 6 % à la moyenne historique, créant un surplus massif disponible pour nos voisins.
Qu'est-ce que le dispositif VNU qui remplace l'ARENH en 2026 ?
La Vente de Nucléaire Universelle (VNU) est le nouveau mécanisme de régulation des prix de l'électricité en France. Contrairement à l'ARENH, il ne s'agit plus d'un volume fixe à prix réduit, mais d'une redistribution financière des revenus excédentaires d'EDF aux consommateurs, basée sur les prix de marché et les coûts de production du nucléaire historique.
Quel est l'impact de ces exportations sur le prix de l'électricité pour les entreprises ?
L'abondance de production française tire les prix du marché de gros vers le bas.
En vertu du mécanisme de l'Ordre de Mérite (Merit Order), les centrales les moins coûteuses (nucléaire, renouvelables) couvrent la demande plus souvent, évinçant les centrales à gaz ou charbon plus onéreuses.
Cela multiplie les épisodes de prix bas, voire négatifs, sur le marché spot.
What are the electricity offers offered by bellenergie Business?
The range E @sy is available in four pricing structures to adapt to each risk profile:
- E @sy Fixed: 100% budget visibility without variation.
- E @sy Click: Smoothed price thanks to staggered purchases on the markets.
- E @sy Block + Spot: A mix between a secure base and a portion indexed to daily prices.
- E @sy Sport: A 100% dynamic offer to take advantage of downside opportunities in real time.
Which taxes are particularly relevant for farms?
Farms are subject to taxes such as TICFE or TICGN. Sirenergies verifies their application, identifies cases of exemption and accompanies the procedures to reduce the tax burden.
Pourquoi l'IA ne peut-elle pas prédire le prix de l'énergie avec exactitude ?
Car les marchés dépendent de facteurs exogènes imprévisibles (géopolitique, météo soudaine, politique) que les modèles basés sur l'historique ne peuvent pas anticiper, tout comme on ne prédit pas le Loto.
Mon entreprise peut-elle tirer profit des nouvelles Heures Creuses (11h-17h)?
Absolument. La réforme des heures creuses vise à absorber la surproduction solaire en milieu de journée. Les créneaux d'heures creuses se déplacent progressivement vers la plage 11h00 – 17h00, notamment en été. C'est une opportunité majeure pour les sites industriels ou tertiaires capables de flexibilité.
Conseil stratégique :
- Pilotage de la charge : Si vous avez des processus énergivores (fours, broyeurs, recharge de flotte de véhicules électriques, production de froid), déplacez leur fonctionnement sur la pause méridienne. L'électricité y sera moins chère et moins carbonée.
- Autoconsommation : C'est le moment idéal pour coupler cette tarification avec une installation photovoltaïque en toiture ou en ombrière de parking. Vous effacez votre consommation réseau au moment où le tarif serait le plus avantageux, ou vous profitez des prix bas du réseau si votre production ne suffit pas.
Pourquoi le kVA est-il crucial pour les entreprises ?
Parce que la puissance souscrite en kVA détermine le prix de l'abonnement et que tout dépassement peut entraîner des surcoûts importants.
What are the PP1 and PP2 alert days?
These are signals sent by RTE during periods of tension on the electrical network. The Sirenergies tool informs you in real time to anticipate your uses.
Qu'est-ce qui remplace l'ARENH depuis le 1er janvier 2026 ?
Le dispositif ARENH a laissé place au VNU (Versement Nucléaire Universel).
Ce changement structurel expose davantage les entreprises aux prix de gros, rendant la gestion des risques plus complexe qu'auparavant.
Il devient alors indispensable de définir une stratégie d'achat d'électricité avec Sirenergies pour lisser l'impact de la volatilité des marchés sur votre budget.
Pourquoi le mécanisme de capacité a-t-il été créé ?
Instauré en 2017, ce dispositif répond à un enjeu de sécurité nationale.
L'électricité ne se stockant pas à grande échelle, le réseau doit être capable de répondre instantanément à la demande, même lors des pics de froid hivernaux. Le mécanisme incite financièrement les producteurs à maintenir leurs centrales disponibles et les entreprises à réduire leur consommation (effacement) lors de ces périodes critiques.
What is the point of following Spot & Forward prices?
This makes it possible to choose the right time to contract, secure your budgets and anticipate increases.
Why launch an energy tender?
Un appel d’offres permet de mettre en concurrence plusieurs fournisseurs d’électricité et de gaz afin d’obtenir des conditions contractuelles optimisées. C’est une démarche transparente qui permet de choisir l’offre la plus adaptée aux besoins budgétaires et techniques de l’organisation.
Pourquoi le seuil de 78 €/MWh est-il critiqué par les experts ?
Ce seuil est jugé élevé par rapport aux prévisions actuelles du marché. Si le prix de l'électricité reste en dessous de 78 €/MWh, les entreprises ne bénéficieront d'aucune redistribution. Cela signifie que la protection promise par la réforme pourrait être inexistante dans un marché baissier, d'où l'importance de stratégies de sourcing agiles et d'outils de monitoring comme Pilott.
How to optimize the taxes and contributions of a community?
Communities are subject to taxes such as TICFE or TICGN. Sirenergies analyzes invoices, identifies exemption possibilities and fixes possible errors to reduce the tax burden.
What are the customer reviews on bellenergie Business's customer service?
In 2025, the supplier had a NPS (Net Promoter Score) of +16 and a note of 4,17/5.
Satisfaction is based on a “zero solicitation” model and 100% in-house customer service in Toulon, guaranteeing proximity and responsiveness that cannot be found with major historical suppliers.
What are the main taxes applicable?
Among the taxes include TICFE, TICGN, CTA, CJA and TURPE. They represent a significant part of the bill and vary according to consumption profiles. Understanding them well is essential to optimize costs.
What is the main objective of the Multiannual Energy 3 Programming?
The central objective of PPE 3 is to engage France towards carbon neutrality by 2050 by breaking the country's historical dependence on fossil fuels.
Today, approximately 60% of final energy consumption in France still relies on imported oil and natural gas. PPE 3 aims to radically reverse this trend by setting an ambitious target: to reach 60% of carbon-free energies in final consumption by 2030.
To achieve this, PPE 3 pursues three major sub-objectives:
- Massive decarbonization: Replace fossil fuels with low-carbon electricity or renewable heat in industry, transport and buildings.
- Energy sovereignty: Reduce the national energy bill (around 60 billion euros per year) and get rid of the volatility of the global gas and oil markets.
- Economic competitiveness: Guarantee businesses and households access to stable, abundant and predictable energy at a predictable cost, disconnected from geopolitical crises.
Qu'est-ce que le cosinus phi
C'est l'indicateur d'efficacité d'un appareil électrique ; il représente le ratio entre la puissance active (utile) et la puissance apparente (totale).
How to properly define your subscribed power?
The subscribed power must be calculated according to the consumption profile and uses (heating, industrial processes, tertiary equipment). One fine analysis makes it possible to ensure the adequacy between real need and contract.
What are the challenges for tertiary companies?
Tertiary companies must manage their energy costs while guaranteeing the comfort of users (offices, shops, services). Consumption is often linked to heating, air conditioning and lighting, which requires precise monitoring to avoid budgetary excesses.
L'hydroélectricité est-elle une énergie "propre" ?
Oui, elle est considérée comme une énergie renouvelable à faibles émissions de gaz à effet de serre.
De plus, l'eau ne subit aucune transformation chimique durant le cycle de production et réintègre son milieu naturel en aval.
Cependant, la construction de barrages nécessite des mesures pour protéger les écosystèmes (débit minimum, passes à poissons).
The answers to your questions
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