Internal combustion engines (ICEs) are widely used as automobile power plants, converting fuel energy into mechanical work within the engine itself.
Petrol engines operate on the spark ignition principle, while diesel engines use compression ignition to burn fuel efficiently.
Both engine types follow either four-stroke cycles (intake, compression, power, exhaust) or two-stroke cycles, which complete the process in fewer steps.
Power plants are systems designed to generate electrical energy and can be classified based on the energy source used.
Steam power plants use heat energy to produce steam that drives turbines, while gas power plants use combustion gases directly.
Diesel power plants rely on diesel engines, hydro-electric plants harness flowing water, and nuclear plants use atomic reactions for energy generation.
Solar power plants convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic or thermal methods.
Each power plant type has its merits, such as efficiency and availability, and demerits like pollution, high cost, or environmental impact.