A steam power plant converts the chemical energy of fossil fuels into electrical energy through four main circuits: the coal and ash circuit, air and gas circuit, feed water and steam flow circuit, and cooling water circuit. Key components include boilers that raise steam, steam turbines that convert the steam's energy into mechanical power, generators that transform mechanical power into electricity, and condensers and cooling towers that cool the steam back into water to repeat the process. The plant utilizes components like coal mills, fans, pumps, and precipitators to efficiently operate the fuel, steam, gas, water and ash circuits that generate electricity.