<P> The main use for steam turbines is in electricity generation ( in the 1990s about 90 % of the world 's electric production was by use of steam turbines ) however the recent widespread application of large gas turbine units and typical combined cycle power plants has resulted in reduction of this percentage to the 80 % regime for steam turbines . In electricity production , the high speed of turbine rotation matches well with the speed of modern electric generators , which are typically direct connected to their driving turbines . In marine service , ( pioneered on the Turbinia ) , steam turbines with reduction gearing ( although the Turbinia has direct turbines to propellers with no reduction gearbox ) dominated large ship propulsion throughout the late 20th century , being more efficient ( and requiring far less maintenance ) than reciprocating steam engines . In recent decades , reciprocating Diesel engines , and gas turbines , have almost entirely supplanted steam propulsion for marine applications . </P>
<P> The main use for steam turbines is in electricity generation ( in the 1990s about 90 % of the world 's electric production was by use of steam turbines ) however the recent widespread application of large gas turbine units and typical combined cycle power plants has resulted in reduction of this percentage to the 80 % regime for steam turbines . In electricity production , the high speed of turbine rotation matches well with the speed of modern electric generators , which are typically direct connected to their driving turbines . In marine service , ( pioneered on the Turbinia ) , steam turbines with reduction gearing ( although the Turbinia has direct turbines to propellers with no reduction gearbox ) dominated large ship propulsion throughout the late 20th century , being more efficient ( and requiring far less maintenance ) than reciprocating steam engines . In recent decades , reciprocating Diesel engines , and gas turbines , have almost entirely supplanted steam propulsion for marine applications . </P>
the machine that converts heat energy in steam to electricity is called a
the machine that converts heat energy in steam to electricity is called a
steam turbines
steam turbines