⚡ Energy Generation Lab

Interactive visualization of how different energy sources generate electricity. Adjust parameters and watch the energy flow through each stage!

⚛️ How Nuclear Energy Works

Step 1 - Fission: Uranium-235 atoms split in a controlled chain reaction, releasing enormous energy as heat.

Step 2 - Heat Transfer: This heat is absorbed by a coolant (usually water) that circulates through the reactor core.

Step 3 - Steam Generation: The heated coolant boils water in a steam generator, creating high-pressure steam.

Step 4 - Mechanical Energy: Steam spins massive turbine blades at 1500+ RPM.

Step 5 - Electricity: The turbine's shaft drives a generator that converts mechanical rotation into electrical current.

🔗
Fission
Uranium atoms split
🔥
Heat
Energy released as thermal heat
💨
Steam
Water boils under pressure
⚙️
Turbine
Steam spins blades
Generator
Rotation becomes electricity
Heat Output
0
GJ
Steam Pressure
0
Bar
Turbine Speed
0
RPM
Electrical Output
0
MW
🎨 Plant Visualization
⚙️ Adjust Parameters
Uranium Enrichment 3.5%
Higher enrichment increases nuclear reactivity and heat output. Commercial reactors use 3-5% enrichment.
Control Rod Insertion 0%
Control rods absorb neutrons to slow/stop the reaction. 0% = Full power | 100% = Shutdown
Coolant Flow Rate 5000
Coolant removes dangerous heat from the reactor. Higher flow improves safety but requires more pump power.
Generator Efficiency 33%
Only ~33% of heat becomes electricity; rest is lost as waste heat. This is why cooling towers are needed.
💧 How Hydroelectric Energy Works

Step 1 - Storage: A dam stores massive amounts of water at high elevation, creating potential energy.

Step 2 - Release Control: Water gates control how much water flows through the turbines.

Step 3 - Acceleration: Water accelerates down penstock pipes, converting potential energy to kinetic energy.

Step 4 - Turbine Spinning: High-speed water jets hit turbine buckets, spinning them at high RPM.

Step 5 - Electricity: The mechanical rotation drives a generator to produce clean electricity.

🌊
Reservoir
Water stored at height
🚪
Gate Control
Release water flow
📍
Penstock
Water accelerates downhill
⚙️
Turbine
Water spins blades
Generator
Rotation → Electricity
Dam Height
100
Meters
Water Flow Rate
0
m³/s
Turbine Speed
0
RPM
Electrical Output
0
MW
🎨 Plant Visualization
⚙️ Adjust Parameters
Dam Height 100 m
Higher dams create more potential energy. The world's tallest dam (Jinping-I) is 305 meters.
Turbine Friction Loss 8%
Energy lost to friction in pipes and turbulence. Better engineering reduces this.
Water Release Rate 50%
Controls how much water flows through turbines. More water = more power, but raises downstream river level.
Generator Efficiency 90%
Hydroelectric plants are 85-95% efficient - the most efficient power generation method!