Natural gas-fueled generation

Natural gas-fueled generation is essentially the harnessing of a jet engine, or combustion turbine, to a generator. As the combustion turbine’s fan blades rotate, they spin an axle connected to a copper coil inside a generator. This creates the magnetic field which produces electricity.

Natural gas-fueled generation has many benefits over other forms of electricity generation. Compared to coal-fired generation, natural gas power plants are smaller, quieter and cleaner. Compared to nuclear power generation, natural gas power plants are considerably less costly, represent far less risk and can be permitted and built much more quickly. Natural gas generation also doesn’t produce environmentally hazardous waste disposal.

Because the wind can suddenly stop blowing, or the sun’s rays blocked by clouds, natural gas-fueled generation is a more reliable source of power than renewable energy. When renewable energy power plants unexpectedly stop generating electricity, only a natural gas-fueled power plant can step in quickly enough to make up for the lost power. As a result, clean, natural gas helps make the promise of renewable energy a reality by supporting wind- and solar-power’s integration into the nation’s electric grid.