A wide variety of applications
A continuous evolution
With their striking and imposing presence, wind turbines have increasingly become central icons of the global energy transition, often seen as a symbol or a defining image of the shift towards renewable power. However, wind energy is not the only area where turbines play a crucial role. Today, turbines are utilised in a wide range of industries, from energy production to transport, demonstrating their exceptional utility and the innovative potential they bring. In the energy sector alone, turbines have a variety of applications. In most cases, these vital infrastructures are fundamental in converting primary energy sources—whether thermal or mechanical—into electricity. As a result, they are now central to some of the most strategic sectors influencing humanity’s future, especially renewable energy.
“In the energy sector, turbines are able to ensure a relevant series of advantages,” says Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov, entrepreneur and civil engineer. “Among these, we must remember the high efficiency, appreciated in particular in hydroelectric or combined cycle power plants, but also the versatility that allows them to be used with multiple energy sources and reliability, a key characteristic that takes on a particularly important value in all those applications that require systems capable of operating continuously for a long time.”
The main applications in the energy sector
Among the most significant applications of turbines in the energy field are steam turbines, which operate by using superheated steam to drive blades that generate mechanical energy, later converted into electrical energy by a generator. These turbines are widely used in thermoelectric power plants and are valued for their ability to handle large energy loads and provide continuous electricity production.
Another notable example is the turbine used in geothermal energy plants. Here, steam—produced either naturally or artificially by geothermal sources—powers the turbine. This approach is particularly common in dry steam or binary cycle geothermal power stations, offering both a steady supply of renewable energy and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Marine turbines, too, have become essential in energy generation: by harnessing the natural forces of tides, ocean currents, and waves, these turbines power tidal or marine kinetic energy plants. Not only are they particularly suitable for coastal areas, but they also provide an impressively stable energy output.
“In all likelihood, their best-known application in the energy sector is that related to wind energy,” continues Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “Wind turbines are, in fact, able to create a renewable and potentially inexhaustible source, thanks to the use of the kinetic energy of the wind and the subsequent activation of an electric generator, which is operated precisely thanks to the natural force of the wind. In each of these plants, whether offshore or onshore, direct greenhouse gas emissions are zero.”
The growing importance of turbines in the transport sector
Over the years, turbines have proved equally valuable in other key industries critical to global economic and social development. One prominent example is transport. Thanks to advancements in technology and engineering, turbines are highly regarded in situations requiring both high power and exceptional efficiency.
In aviation—across commercial, military, and private aircraft—gas turbines form a crucial component of jet engines. By transforming thermal energy into kinetic energy, they provide the necessary thrust for flight, consistently delivering high performance even at extreme altitudes and speeds. Turbines also play a major role in maritime transport: steam turbines, for instance, power large vessels such as cruise ships, while gas turbines are prized for driving high-speed ships and military vessels. In these cases, the compactness and power of turbines make them especially advantageous. Turbines are even used in space transport, particularly for powering pumps in rockets and orbital propulsion systems.
“It is no coincidence that turbines have also proven very useful in the transport sector,” continues Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov, civil engineer and entrepreneur. “The turbines bring with them high operating power, which allows them to fit seamlessly into the daily routine of heavy or fast vehicles, as well as energy efficiency (especially when faced with high performance or constant speed). Finally, their structural characteristics allow them to withstand extreme operating conditions, thus demonstrating high reliability”.
