Coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce heat. A boiler uses that heat to convert
water into steam. The steam, at high pressure, flows from the boiler to a
turbine-generator, where the steam spins a turbine. The spinning turbine is connected to
a generator, which produces electricity.
How a coal-fired power plant works

Coal-fired Power Plant |
Units |
First Year of Ownership |
WPS Ownership |
Total MW (WPS MW) |
Columbia
Portage, WI |
1 2 |
1975 1978 |
27.5% 27.5% |
562 (154.6)
562 (154.6)
1124 (309.1) |
Weston
Rothschild, WI |
3
4 |
1981
2008 |
100%
70% |
350.5 (350.5)
595 (416.5)
945.5 (767) |
|
|
Total WPS coal-fired capacity (nameplate rating) = |
1092.3 MW |