Why do we still use steam as a primary means of producing electricity?

Question

It’s been more than 200 years since the widespread implementation of the steam engine.

Why is this still the most prevalent means of producing electricity? With things like fusion reactors, why is it so hard to convert the thermal energy into electrical energy?

In: 787

Answer 1

Aside from solar cells, the primary way of generating electricity is through rotating magnetic fields. It’s simple and effective. All you need is a magnet and some way of turning it.

Water is an ideal way of doing this. It’s plentiful and can go from liquid to gas and back within a range of easily achievable temperatures. So all you need to worry about is how to make water do this.