How a Combustion Turbine Plant Works
Combustion turbines are designed to meet peaks in power demand very quickly. They operate much like a jet engine, drawing in air at the front of the unit, compressing it, mixing it with fuel and igniting it. The combustion occurs immediately—allowing gases to then expand through turbine blades connected to a generator to produce electricity.
Combustion turbine power plants are normally run on natural gas as a fuel; however, they may also be run on low-sulfur fuel oil if needed.