A generating unit consists of the sum and total of all equipment necessary for production of electricity. In a coal-fired power plant, a generating unit would normally consist of one or more boilers where coal is burned to create steam, plus one or more turbine generators which convert the steam's heat energy into electricity. Generating units can usually operate independently, and most energy production facilities consist of several independent generating units which can be brought online or taken offline as demand fluctuates in the system.

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