A turbine is a rotatory device which drives an electrical generator rotor to produce alternating current at a power plant; it is also used to propel an aircraft or ship through its long revolving blades. This machine is turned around on its axis at high speed by the high pressure exerted by liquid or gases which flow through its vanes fixed around its spool. Thus, a turbine transforms the flowing fluid kinetic energy into revolving mechanical energy which is harnessed to produce a desired effect, such a electricity production in the magnetic fields of a generator stator, or a propelling force to boost a vehicle forwards.
There are turbines, which were originally designed to boost aircraft, that are now used to drive generators at coal or gas thermoelectric power plants. One of the most widely-used turbines utilized to drive generators is the GE LM6000, which was originally devised for the Boeing 747 passenger aircraft. According to the driving agent used to rotate it, there are gas, fuel, steam, water, and wind turbines. Water turbines are used at hydroelectric power plant, while wind turbines are employed on a wind farm; these are also known as windmills and they are sometimes set up offshore. Both water and wind are renewable form of energy.
Below, parts of a General Electric LM6000 gas turbine utilized in combined or direct cycle.