Thermal generation refers to the production of electricity from the combustion of fossil fuels, including coal-fired, gas-fired and liquid-fuelled power stations and co-generation plants.
The Capability Development Index tracks the events that move a capability — operational use, technical breakthroughs, procurement decisions and the industrial base behind them — and places each on the record with the date it happened.
Recent developments cover the current period. Historical developments are the inflection points that produced Thermal Generation as it stands today.
The reciprocating steam engine was used to produce mechanical power from the 18th century, with notable improvements made by James Watt. This machine provided the prime mover later adapted to drive electrical generators, making fuel combustion a route to electricity.