Diagram of nuclear power machines. In the top right corner is an image of a reactor core with two people in protective gear standing above a giant hole. Below that image is a diagram of the reactor. The diagram shows the reactor core, how water becomes pressurized, how steam is generated and how turbines and condensors are used. Reactor core: Fission reactions take place in the reactor core, releasing large amounts of heat. Steam generator: Heat released in the reactor core is absorbed by water in the steam generator. This transfer of energy produces large amounts of high-pressure steam. Turbines and condenser: The high-pressure steam forces the turbine to rotate at great speed. As it cools, the steam condenses to form liquid water, which is then piped back to the steam generator. Electric generator: Here the work done by the force turning the turbines produces electrical energy.