Combined-Cycle Technology

Here's an example of combined-cycle technology under construction in 2000 at FPL's Fort Myers plant site.

The natural-gas-fired combined-cycle technology FPL uses at West County Energy Center works this way:

• A natural gas, combined-cycle plant produces electricity from two sources of energy instead of one.
• Combined cycle is about 30 percent more efficient than a traditional steam plant.
• Energy is produced by combustion of natural gas in a turbine, similar to a jet engine.
• Energy also is produced by making use of the jet engine exhaust to make steam.