Final answer:
Oglethorpe Power Corporation owns shares in facilities that generate electricity through various means, including the solar thermal technology of the Ivanpah Solar Generating System and wind turbines on wind farms. They may also be associated with other energy sources, each with specific environmental impacts and efficiency levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oglethorpe Power Corporation is involved in various forms of energy generation. The power plants associated with Oglethorpe may include facilities similar to the Ivanpah Solar Generating System, which is known for utilizing solar thermal technology to produce electricity. Similarly, wind farms, like the one in Iowa, harness wind energy to generate electricity using large turbines. Other forms of energy production mentioned include diesel engines, nuclear, and coal power plants, electric motors, compact fluorescent lights, gas heaters, solar cells, and geothermal, hydroelectric, tidal energy sources with varying capacity factors.
Each of these energy sources has a different impact on the environment and efficiency levels, indicated by their capacity factors. For instance, the Ivanpah facility uses a vast array of mirrors focusing sunlight on water towers to create steam and drive turbines, producing enough power for a significant number of homes. Understanding these different energy sources and their capacity factors is crucial for evaluating Oglethorpe Power Corporation's contributions to energy generation in their respective states.