Thermal power plants generate electricity through a Rankine cycle where water is heated into steam to spin a turbine connected to a generator. They have key components like boilers, turbines, condensers and alternators. Boilers heat water and produce high pressure steam. Steam expands through turbines which spin the generator to produce electricity. Condensers then cool and condense the steam back into water to be reheated. Proper operation of components like air preheaters, draft fans and electrostatic precipitators is needed to efficiently generate power while controlling emissions. Thermal plant operators carefully monitor parameters to safely and reliably produce electricity.