Final answer:
Steam turbines, a vital component in electricity generation, work optimally with high-pressure steam, necessitating the use of super-heaters.
Step-by-step explanation:
When steam turbines were first used in electrical power production, it was necessary to add super-heaters because turbines work best with high-pressure steam. The use of steam in power plants and other applications has evolved significantly since the Industrial Revolution. Steam turbines became especially important during the Second Industrial Revolution when they were used to generate electricity. The thermal energy from burning coal was converted into kinetic energy through high-pressure steam, which then moved the blades of the turbines, generating an electric current.
Efficiencies were further improved by using the Carnot efficiency equation to determine the theoretical maximum efficiency of heat engines based on the temperatures of the hot and cold reservoirs, converted to kelvins. Moreover, steam turbines in modern power plants, like pressurized water nuclear reactors, employ heat exchange and cooling towers to manage the energy cycle and ensure optimal performance without damaging the environment.