Cogeneration power plant on the campus of Stanford University, California, USA. In a conventional natural gas power plant, the turbine is driven by the burning gas, while the excess heat is wasted. In a cogeneration power plant, this heat is used to create steam that drives a second turbine, which results in increased overall efficiency. Shown here is the cogeneration power plant located on Stanford University campus, which became operational in 1988 and produces 50 MW of electrical power. September 2007.