Which type of electricity-generating plant does not utilize steam?

The type of electricity-generating plant that does not utilize steam is a hydroelectric plant. Hydroelectric power generation harnesses the energy from flowing or falling water to turn turbines, which directly convert kinetic energy into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy.

In a hydroelectric plant, water is channeled through turbines located in dams or along rivers. The action of the water spinning the turbines generates electricity without the need for steam production. This makes hydroelectric plants distinct from coal-fired, geothermal, and nuclear plants, all of which typically rely on a steam cycle to generate electricity.

Coal-fired plants burn coal to create heat, which produces steam to drive turbines. Similarly, nuclear plants use the heat from nuclear fission to generate steam. Geothermal plants tap into the Earth's internal heat to produce steam as well. Thus, the hydroelectric plant stands apart as it directly converts water flow into power, making it steam-free in its operation.