Proposal:Power generation storage

Power generation and storage
Proposal status:	Proposed (under way)
Proposed by:	fanfouer
Tagging:	power=plant Data item
Applies to:
Definition:	Refinement of existing power generation features and improvement of power storage facilities
Statistics:
Draft started:	2025-08-25
RFC start:	2025-12-01

Power generation is a major industrial field undergoing rapid change as many countries move through their energy transition. As carbon-free and renewable sources are becoming the standard, power plants are now more distributed, hybrid and technically complex than ever.

Energy storage is also becoming a trend with bunch of technologies that rose since a few years. This proposal intends to keep the OpenStreetMap tagging up to date with these developments and since the last refinement in 2013 with power generation refinement proposal.

This proposal has been built thanks to MapYourGrid initiative by real-life humans Map-dynartio (on osm, edits, contrib, heatmap, chngset com.) and Fanfouer (on osm, edits, contrib, heatmap, chngset com.).

Proposal

Key elements

The following proposal aims to introduce a clear and unified approach to tagging power plants and power generators. In particular, it seeks to clarify energy sources, generator technologies and the ability to chain generators:

• plant:source & generator:source indicate the primary energy source used by the power plant or generator;
• plant:method & generator:method describe the physical process or mechanism by which energy is converted into another form;
• plant:storage & generator:storage document the amount of stored energy in a given power plant or generator (units in Wh, kWh, MWh...);
• generator:technology specifies the technology used by the generator to convert input energy, deprecating generator:type;
• generator indicates whether the generator feeds energy into the plant or directly into the grid, and replaces generator:plant;
• input: specifies the substance or material used to produce energy;
• output: specifies the form of energy produced, deprecating both plant:output and generator:output

This proposal comes more than ten years after the last update to power plant and generator tagging,and it hopefully will bring a more logical and less redundant way to tag power infrastructure.

Disclaimer: this proposal defines a revised tagging scheme for power plants and generators, and is not intended to trigger any data import into OSM nor automated edits after approval.
As no import is planned by its authors, any future contributor wishing to do so should follow the imports guildelines and discuss it with the community first.

Details of the proposed changes

Plant & generator source

We propose a new classification that clearly separates energy fields from the specific substances that feed a plant and the methods used to convert them.

This would mean:

• the creation of bioenergy, fossil, grid sources ;
• the introduction of input: (see below).

See further reasoning in the : Appendix

Plant & generator method

The existing logic behind plant:method and generator:method remains unchanged.

We propose to define missing methods and update some of the current ones to avoid redundancy and remain consistent across all power sources.

This would mean:

• the introduction of plant:method=compression, plant:method=exchange, plant:method=resistive, plant:method=rebound, plant:method=turbine;
• the deprecation of plant:method=barrage in favor of plant:method=water_storage;
• the deprecation of plant:method=photovoltaic in favor of plant:method=photovoltaics;
• the deprecation of plant:method=wind_turbine in favor of plant:method=turbine.

See further reasoning in the : Appendix

Plant & generator storage

Some grid, hydro and solar plants and generators can store energy for later use.

To describe these systems, we propose two new keys:

• plant:storage;
• generator:storage.

Their values express storage capacity in energy units (MW), or you can simply use “yes” when the exact capacity is unknown.

They aim to complement existing output tags by adding missing information about storage capacity.

See further reasoning in the : Appendix

Generator technology

We propose to replace generator:type with generator:technology.

In addition, we also propose to reorganise technology values across several (but not all) sectors to get a more suitable tagging to chain generators in complex power plants.

This would mean:

• associating heat_pump & boiler to grid generators;
• allowing tagging boiler, steam_boiler, steam_generator & steam_turbine within nuclear and combustion-method plants;
• deprecating solar_photovoltaic_panel in favor of monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin_film, and hybrid for photovoltaics;
• adding new values for wave generators.

This tag is set as fully optional.

See further reasoning in the : Appendix

Generators roles

As to take care of any role a generator can have, we aim to replace the current generator:plant in favor of a broader generator.

Specific roles would now be: auxiliary, backup, internal, main, and standalone

See further reasoning in the : Appendix

Input & output

We are proposing to create a mirrored pair of general keys input:=* & output:=*.

For input:, this would mean:

• reclassification of some existing values currently associated with plant:source or generator:source as inputs : biofuel, biogas, biomass, coal, diesel, gas, gasoline, oil, & waste;
• introducing new values where none currently exist : air_flow, electricity, hot_water, steam, sun, tidal_flow, & uranium.

For output:: The existing logic and values used by plant:output and generator:output would remain unchanged. We propose to merges these two keys into a single output.

See further reasoning in the : Appendix

Rationale

Power generation tagging has already been reviewed twice in the past:

• Original proposal, in 2010 by TomChance (on osm, edits, contrib, heatmap, chngset com.),
• Refinement proposal, in 2013 by Fanfouer (on osm, edits, contrib, heatmap, chngset com.) et al.

Twelve years later, mapping practices, technology and community expectations have evolved. This proposal builds on that experience and aims to modernise the scheme and provide a robust structure for the coming decade.

General reasoning

Why a new review ?

Over the past decade, thousands of plants and generators have been mapped. It is a good time to review these features, ensure that tagging remains consistent and up to date. Approving this proposal would naturally encourage contributors to revisit and refine some features that hasn't been reviewed since many years.

In parallel, community feedback (SOTM discussions, forum threads) repeatedly highlighted redundancy, overlap between sectors, ambiguous keys and a growing need for clearer semantics.
These issues should have inevitably needed to be addressed in the medium term, so here we are.

Important tagging concepts

Appart from describing a whole set of technologies used for power generation, we aim to rationalise generators mapping and ease description of what mappers see on ground or in suitable documentation.
Industrial processes may be complex and OpenStreetMap is relevant to make the bridge between ground truth and other digital commons like Wikipedia.

This proposal then prioritize the most import properties and set as optional the most specific ones.
While we do recommend mapping and tagging power=plants, mapping generators remains optional (except for wind generators). And while the proposal defines fine-grained roles and tags, no contributor is obliged to use them unless the level of detail is relevant to their mapping. Most mappers will get a simpler set of tags for their own practice.

Why tackle all of this at once ?

SOTM 2022 - The bad example : solar panels. Video available here, see 35'26

Although this proposal is extensive and, if approved, would trigger significant changes, we hope you will not be discouraged by its scope.

Deprecating generator:type=solar_photovoltaic_panel is already a long-overdue step and will affect around five million objects.

Since such a large update seems inevitable, bundling related improvements in a single step seems more efficient and avoids multiple distruptive cycles.

To be clear, no immediate edits will occur upon approval. The vote simply validates the tagging model. We think that such changes should then be rolled out following an automated edit process, with a clear plan to be developed afterwards. Similarly to the WikiProject Waterways/River modernization, we will discuss the transition process together and prepare a dedicated page for the proposed migration scenario only if proposed tagging is adopted.

Proposed changes reasoning

Plant & generator source

Current tagging seems to mix up energy sources, energy fields and methods, leading to inconsistent use of plant:source and generator:source.

In some cases, these keys describe:

which sector the facility belongs to	plant:source=nuclear
where the energy comes from	plant:source=coal
how the energy is converted	plant:source=battery

This creates ambiguity between natural origin, method, and sector classification.

• Which industry the facility belongs to: meaning the sector or branch of the energy industry that groups activities and systems based on a common source of energy, i.e. the source;
• Where the energy comes from: meaning the substance or fuel put into the plant or generator to produce output, i.e. the input ;
• How the energy is converted: meaning the physical or technological process used to convert that source into usable energy, i.e. the method.

To address these confusions, plant:source and generator:source need a more consistent set of values.

Plant & generator method

The usage of both plant:method & generator:method remains unchanged, and both keys remain recommended, except for wind systems where only one method is possible.

We would like to introduce new values to either remove redundancies (for ex. a wind_turbine is inherently a turbine, or to cover methods that were previously missing (for geothermal, grid, wave systems).

Finally, as we are about to edit most of solar features, we want to take the opportunity to replace photovoltaic with more appropriate photovoltaics with an s (see Wikipedia).

Plant & generator storage

Introducing dedicated storage keys for plants and generators would help describe on-site storage systems (fuel, heat, chemical, or electricity) without overloading existing tags. These keys would separate production from storage functions, and avoid mixing roles.

Following the same logic as backup or standalone generators, these keys could also be used for any facility (industrial, medical, transport infrastructure, greenhouses, or critical infrastructures) where stored energy is a part of the process.

Generator technology

As the :type suffix becomes increasingly outdated, generator:technology will best fit to what generator:type currently stands for.

Many emerging or widely deployed technologies (e.g. wave systems, photovoltaic systems) are missing under the current scheme, and the some other values no longer reflect how generators are classified in practice.

Although this change would affect most existing generators, keeping an outdated key would extend current inconsistencies.
generator:technology is more future proof and will allow to maintain values, probably with more to come in the coming years, on a long-term basis.

generator:technology will provide the last level of detail OSM would need to describe generators. Any information beyond of it should be obtained from Wikidata that is most suitable for logical links while OSM focuses on the ground suvey information.

Generator roles

The current generator:plant describes generator roles only within power plants. However, there are generators that are not part of plants at all (backup units, domestic systems, standalone installations). It is thus a location-specific namespace and can force contributors into an inaccurate model.

Replacing it with the broader generator is consistent with other keys like transformer. It aims to classify equipment by role rather than by site, and would allow to introduce missing roles (e.g. backup, standalone, auxiliary, main, internal) mostly outside of power plants.

The proposed key & values are also designed to support chaining between different generators.
This would allow a multi-stage or sequential conversion processes description, if that is needed, without defining values for each specific situations. Mappers will be allowed to asamble them as individual bricks in a more complex process.

Input & output

The keys input: and output: would enable broader generalisation, since both are generic concepts applicable to the energy field, but also to any industrial process in general.

Introducing them as a mirrored pair would create a more consistent way to specify what enters a facility, and what is produced by it.

Input

input: resolves current ambiguity in plant:source by focusing solely on the physical substances involved (input:coal, input:uranium, input:biomass, etc.). Some values would be optional when only one possibility exists for a given source.

input focuses strictly on energy vectors and seem to be the best generic term for this purpose. However, non-energy substances such as cooling fluids or lubricants fall outside this scope and should be handled with other keys, beyond the present proposal.

Output

output: replaces plant:output and generator:output with a single, unified key that keeps the existing logic but simplifies tagging.

Tagging

Power plants tagging

• Cells in blue show optional tags.

Source	Input:x	Method	Output:x	Description
bioenergy	biomass	combustion	electricity	A bioenergy plant using biomass to produce electricity.
			steam	A bioenergy plant using biomass to produce steam.
			hot_water	A bioenergy plant using biomass to produce hot water.
		gasification	biogas	A bioenergy plant using biomass through gasification to produce biogas.
		anaerobic_digestion	biogas	A bioenergy plant using biomass through anaerobic digestion to produce biogas.
	biofuel	combustion	electricity	A bioenergy plant using biofuel to produce electricity.
			steam	A bioenergy plant using biofuel to produce steam.
			hot_water	A bioenergy plant using biofuel to produce hot water.
	biogas	combustion	electricity	A bioenergy plant using biogas to produce electricity.
			steam	A bioenergy plant using biogas to produce steam.
			hot_water	A bioenergy plant using biogas to produce hot water.
fossil	coal	gasification	syngas	A fossil power plant using coal to produce synthetic gas.
		combustion	electricity	A fossil power plant using coal to produce electricity.
			steam	A fossil power plant using coal to produce steam.
			hot_water	A fossil power plant using coal to produce hot water.
	diesel	combustion	electricity	A fossil power plant using diesel to produce electricity.
			steam	A fossil power plant using diesel to produce steam.
			hot_water	A fossil power plant using diesel to produce hot water.
	gasoline	combustion	electricity	A fossil power plant using gasoline to produce electricity.
			steam	A fossil power plant using gasoline to produce steam.
			hot_water	A fossil power plant using gasoline to produce hot water.
	oil	combustion	electricity	A fossil power plant using oil to produce electricity.
			steam	A fossil power plant using oil to produce steam.
			hot_water	A fossil power plant using oil to produce hot water.
	gas	combustion	electricity	A fossil power plant using gas to produce electricity.
			steam	A fossil power plant using gas to produce steam.
			hot_water	A fossil power plant using gas to produce hot water.
geothermal	hot_water	compression	hot_water	A geothermal plant producing electricity.
	steam	turbine	electricity	A geothermal plant using steam to produce electricity.
grid	electricity	battery	electricity	A battery storage system storing electrical energy.
		compression	hot_water	A power plant producing hot water through gas or air compression and expansion.
		resistive	hot_water	A power plant producing hot water through direct electrical heating.
hydro	water_flow	run-of-the-river	electricity	A hydro plant producing electricity.
		water-pumped-storage	electricity	A water-pumped storage plant producing electricity.
		water-storage	electricity	A water storage hydro plant producing electricity.
nuclear	uranium	fission	electricity	A nuclear plant with fission reactors
	-	fusion	electricity	A nuclear plant using fusion power
solar	sun	photovoltaics	electricity	A photovoltaic plant producing electricity.
		thermal	steam	A solar thermal plant producing steam
			hot_water	A solar thermal plant producing hot water
			electricity	A solar thermal plant producing electricity
tidal	tidal_flow	stream	electricity	A tidal power plant producing electricity.
		water-storage	electricity	A tidal barrage plant producing electricity.
waste	waste	gasification	biogas	A waste-to-energy power plant that produces biogas.
		combustion	electricity	A waste-to-energy power plant producing electricity.
			steam	A waste-fired power plant producing steam.
			hot_water	A waste-fired power plant producing hot water.
wave	water_flow	rebound	electricity	A wave power plant using rebound to generate electricity.
		turbine	electricity	A wave power plant using a turbine to generate electricity.
wind	air_flow	turbine	electricity	A wind farm producing electricity.

Power generators tagging

Values of this list should be understood as part of a whole process that could chain several of them. See the examples below for situations involving several different generators to get electricity or by-products.

Cells in blue show optional tags.

Exhaustive list of possible power generator values

Source	Input:x	Method	Technology	Output:x	Generator	Wikidata	IEC60050	Description
bioenergy	biomass	combustion	steam_boiler	steam	main; internal	Q6609574	-	Biomass (solid) fired steam generator
			boiler	hot_water	main; internal	Q3195517	-	Biomass (solid) fired boiler
		gasification	bioreactor	biogas	main; internal	-	-	Gasification of biomass
		anaerobic_digestion	bioreactor	biogas	main; internal	-	-	Anaerobic digestion
	biofuel	combustion	reciprocating_engine	electricity	main	Q289633	-	Reciprocating engine
			steam_boiler	steam	main; internal	Q6609574	-	Biofuel (liquid like vegetables oil) fired steam generator
			boiler	hot_water	main; internal	Q3195517	-	Biofuel (liquid like vegetables oil) fired boiler
	biogas	combustion	gas_turbine	electricity	main	Q193470	602-02-23	Gas turbine
			steam_boiler	steam	main; internal	Q6609574	-	Biogas-fired power generator producing steam
			boiler	hot_water	main; internal	Q3195517	-	Biogas-fired boiler
	steam	turbine	steam_turbine	electricity	main	Q189859	602-02-47	Bio energy driven steam turbine
fossil	coal	combustion	steam_boiler	steam	main; internal	Q6609574	-	Coal-fired steam generator
			boiler	hot_water	main; internal	Q3195517	-	Coal-fired boiler
		gasification	To be defined	syngas	main; internal	-	-	Any coal gasifier. Technologies to be defined later.
	diesel	combustion	reciprocating_engine	electricity	main	Q514877	-	Diesel-fired reciprocating engine
			steam_boiler	steam	main; internal	Q6609574	-	Diesel-fired steam generator
			boiler	hot_water	main; internal	Q3195517	-	Diesel-fired boiler
	gasoline	combustion	reciprocating_engine	electricity	main	Q630010	-	Gasoline-fired reciprocating engine
			steam_boiler	steam	main; internal	Q6609574	-	Gasoline-fired steam generator
			boiler	hot_water	main; internal	Q3195517	-	Gasoline-fired boiler
	oil	combustion	gas_turbine	electricity	main; internal	Q193470	602-02-23	Oil-fired gas turbine
			steam_boiler	steam	main; internal	Q6609574	-	Oil-fired steam generator
			boiler	hot_water	main; internal	Q3195517	-	Oil-fired boiler
	gas	combustion	gas_turbine	electricity	main; internal	Q193470	602-02-23	Gas-fired gas turbine
			combined_cycle	electricity	main	-	-	Combined cycle gas turbine
			steam_boiler	steam	main; internal	Q6609574	-	Gas-fired steam generator
			boiler	hot_water	main; internal	Q3195517	-	Gas-fired boiler
	steam	turbine	steam_turbine	electricity	main	Q189859	602-02-47	Fossil energy driven steam turbine
geothermal	hot_water	compression	heat_pump	hot_water	main	Q13365511	-	Geothermal heat pump
	steam	turbine	steam_turbine	electricity	main	Q189859	602-02-47	Geothermal power driven steam turbine
grid	electricity	battery	lithium-ion	electricity	main	Q2822895	482-05-07	Lithium-Ion battery
			lead-acid	electricity	main	Q337724	482-05-01	Lead-acid battery
			nickel-cadmium	electricity	main	Q898377	482-05-02	Nickel-cadmium battery
			redox_flow	electricity	main	Q907511	-	Redox-flow battery
			molten-salt	electricity	main	Q949927	482-01-07	Molten-salt battery
		compression	heat_pump	hot_water	main	Q131313	-	Electicity driven heat pump for heating
				cold_water	main	Q131313	-	Electicity driven heat pump for cooling
		resistive	boiler	hot_water	main	Q5357557	-	Electricity driven Electric boiler
			steam_boiler	steam	main	Q5357646	-	Electricity driven Electric steam boiler
hydro	water_flow	run-of-the-river	cross-flow_turbine	electricity	main internal	Q853093	-	Cross-flow turbine
			francis_turbine	electricity	main internal	Q217817	602-02-14	Run of river driven Francis turbine
			kaplan_turbine	electricity	main internal	Q213947	602-02-15	Run of river driven Kaplan turbine
			pelton_turbine	electricity	main internal	Q745900	602-02-13	Run of river driven Pelton turbine
		water-pumped-storage	francis_turbine	electricity	main internal	Q217817	602-02-14	Pumped-storage hydro power driven Francis turbine
		water-storage	francis_turbine	electricity	main internal	Q217817	602-02-14	Water storage driven Francis turbine
			kaplan_turbine	electricity	main internal	Q213947	602-02-15	Water storage driven Kaplan turbine
			pelton_turbine	electricity	main internal	Q745900	602-02-13	Water storage driven Pelton turbine
			hydrodynamic_screw	electricity	main internal	-	-	Reverse principle of Archimedes' screw
nuclear	uranium	fission	PWR	hot_water	internal	Q377968	-	Pressurized water nuclear reactor
			BWR-1 to BWR-6	hot_water	internal	Q468846	-	Boiling water nuclear reactor
			PHWR	hot_water	internal	Q558152	-	Heavy water nuclear reactor
			GCR	hot_water	internal	Q3100709	-	Gas-cooled nuclear reactor (GCR)
			FBR	hot_water	internal	-	-	Fast breeder nuclear reactor
			RBMK-1000, RBMK-1500	hot_water	internal	Q468846	-	RBMK nuclear reactor
			VVER	hot_water	internal	Q35957	-	VVER nuclear reactor
			CANDU	hot_water	internal	Q558181	-	CANDU nuclear reactor
			CPR-1000	hot_water	internal	Q747260	-	CPR-1000 nuclear reactor
			EPR	hot_water	internal	Q643657	-	European Pressurized Reactor
	To be defined	fusion	tokamak	hot_water	internal	Q188589	395-07-149	Tokamak fusion reactor
			stellarator	hot_water	internal	Q1360597	395-07-150	Stellarator fusion reactor
			ICF	hot_water	internal	Q1364409	395-07-147	Inertial Confinement Fusion reactor
	hot_water	exchange	steam_generator	steam	internal	Q1158799	-	Nuclear energy driven steam generator
	steam	turbine	steam_turbine	electricity	main	Q189859	602-02-47	Nuclear energy driven steam turbine
solar	sun	photovoltaics	hybrid	electricity	main	Q3664274	-	Hybrid solar cell/panel
			monocrystalline	electricity	main	-	-	Monocrystalline silicon solar cell/panel
			polycrystalline	electricity	main	-	-	Polycrystalline silicon solar cell/panel
			thin_film	electricity	main	Q6661392	-	Thin film solar cell/panel to produce electricity.
		thermal	thermal_collector	steam	main ; internal	Q837515	-	Solar thermal panel with direct steam generation.
			thermal_collector	hot_water	main	Q837515	-	Solar thermal panel which outputs hot water.
	steam	turbine	steam_turbine	electricity	main	Q189859	602-02-47	Concentrated solar power driven steam turbine
tidal	tidal_flow	stream	horizontal_axis	electricity	main	Q3250943	417-02-06	Tidal stream generator
			vertical_axis	electricity	main	Q3250943	417-02-06	Tidal stream generator
		water-storage	kaplan_turbine	electricity	main internal	Q213947	602-02-15	See Rance Tidal Power Station for example.
waste	waste	combustion	steam_boiler	steam	main; internal	Q6609574	-	Waste-fired steam generator
			boiler	hot_water	main; internal	Q3195517	-	Waste-fired boiler
		gasification	To be defined	biogas	main; internal	-	-	Waste gasifier to produce bio gas out of organic waste. Technologies to be defined.
	steam	turbine	steam_turbine	electricity	main	Q189859	602-02-47	Waste energy driven steam turbine.
wave	water_flow	rebound	oscillating_body	electricity	main	-	-	Wave power
			point_absorber	electricity	main	Q63367054	-	Wave power
			attenuator	electricity	main	Q63367036	-	Wave power
		turbine	biradial_turbine	electricity	main	-	-	Wave power
			wells_turbine	electricity	main	Q2296616	-	Wells turbine
			denniss-auld_turbine	electricity	main	-	-	Wave power
			kaplan_turbine	electricity	main	Q213947	602-02-15	Wave power driven Kaplan turbine
wind	air_flow	turbine	horizontal_axis	electricity	main	Q18433590	415-01-04	Horizontal-axis wind turbines
			vertical_axis	electricity	main	Q760751	415-01-05	Vertical-axis wind turbines

Input & output tagging

Exhaustive list of possible Input and Output values

input:value=*	output:value=*	units
input:air_flow	-	kg/s ; m3/s
input:biogas=*	output:biogas=*	l
input:biofuel=*	output:biofuel=*	l
input:biomass=*	-	kg
input:coal=*	-	kg
-	output:cold_air=*	W - tbc
-	output:cold_water=*
-	output:compressed_air=*	W ; bar; m³/s - tbc
input:diesel=*	output:diesel=*	l
input:electricity=*	output:electricity=*	W
input:gas=*	-	l
input:gasoline=*	-	l
-	output:heat=*	W - tbc
-	output:hot_air=*	W - tbc
input:hot_water=*	output:hot_water=*	J
-	output:hydrogen=*	J - tbc
input:oil=*	-	l
input:steam=*	output:steam=*	W
-	output:syngas=*	tbc
input:sun=*	-	W/m2
input:tidal_flow=*	-	m3/s
input:uranium=*	-	kg
-	output:vacuum=*	W ; Pa; m³/s - tbc
input:waste=*	-	kg
input:water_flow=*	-	m3/s

Change management

Affected pages

Power plant related pages

• Edit power=plant ;
• Edit plant:source & create pages for the new values ;

• Edit plant:method & create pages for the new values ;
  • Create plant:method=turbine and merge the contents from plant:method=wind_turbine ;
  • Edit plant:source=battery into plant:method=battery ;
  • Edit plant:method=photovoltaic into plant:method=photovoltaics ;
  • Merge the content from plant:method=barrage into plant:method=water-storage ;

Power generator related pages

• Edit power=generator ;
• Edit generator:source & create pages for the new values ;

• Edit generator:method & create pages for the new values ;
  • Edit generator:method=wind_turbine and merge the contents into generator:method=turbine ;
  • Edit generator:source=battery into generator:method=battery ;
  • Edit generator:method=photovoltaic into generator:method=photovoltaics ;
  • Merge the content from generator:method=barrage into generator:method=water-storage ;

• Edit generator:type page and existing values into generator:technology & create pages for the new values ;
  • Propose for deletion generator:type=solar_photovoltaic_panel ;

• Edit generator:plant to generator & create pages for the new values ;

Input & output related pages :

• Create input: & create pages for the new values ;
  • Edit existing plant:source & generator:source values into input: : biogas ; biomass ; coal ; gas ; oil

• Create output: page and merge the content from plant:output and generator:output ; and add proposed values and units ;

Guidelines related pages:

• Power generation/Guidelines/Solar plants
• Power generation/Guidelines/Thermal plants
• Power generation/Guidelines/Wind farms
• Wind farms
• Power generation/Guidelines/Hydropower

Tags to be created

New tag	Description
plant:source=bioenergy & generator:source=bioenergy	A plant or generator that derives its energy from the bioenergy sector, which includes biomass, biofuel, biogas.
plant:source=fossil & generator:source=fossil	A plant or generator that derives its energy from the fossil energy sector, which includes coal, oil, gas, diesel and gasoline sources.
plant:source=grid & generator:source=grid	A plant or generator that converts electrical energy into electricity or another form of energy.
plant:method=compression & generator:method=compression	A plant or generator that converts or stores energy through gas or air compression and subsequent expansion.
plant:method=exchange & generator:method=exchange	A plant or generator that transfers heat or energy between two media without direct mixing, typically via a heat exchanger.
plant:method=resistive & generator:method=resistive	A plant or generator that produces heat directly from electrical resistance (resistive heating).
plant:method=rebound & generator:method=rebound	A plant or generator that produces energy from the rebound of the waves.
plant:storage & generator:storage	The capacity of a plant or generator to store energy for later conversion or use.
generator:technology=oscillating_body	A wave energy converter using the motion of a floating or submerged body oscillating with wave action to generate electricity.
generator:technology=point_absorber	A compact wave energy converter that absorbs energy from all directions through the vertical movement of a buoy or platform.
generator:technology=attenuator	A wave energy converter consisting of a series of floating segments that generate power from their flexing motion along the wave direction.
generator:technology=biradial_turbine	A bidirectional air turbine that generates electricity from oscillating airflow in wave energy systems.
generator:technology=denniss-auld_turbine	A self-rectifying turbine designed for oscillating water column devices in wave plants, that operates efficiently with bidirectional air flow.
generator:technology=wells_turbine	A turbine in wave energy converters that uses symmetrical blades to generate power from bidirectional airflow.
generator:technology=monocrystalline	A photovoltaic generator using solar cells made from a single-crystal silicon structure for high efficiency.
generator:technology=polycrystalline	A photovoltaic generator using solar cells made from multiple silicon crystals, offering lower cost and moderate efficiency.
generator:technology=hybrid	A photovoltaic generator combining different cell types or technologies to optimize performance under varying conditions.
generator:technology=thin_film	A photovoltaic generator using thin semiconductor layers deposited on a substrate, characterized by light weight and flexibility.
generator	Defines whether a generator supplies energy internally to the plant or externally to the power grid.
generator=auxiliary	A generator that transform energy for power plant internal purpose.
generator=backup
generator=internal	A generator that convert energy in an intermediate form in the power plant process.
generator=main	A generator that converts energy that outputs the power plant.
generator=standalone
input:	Specifies the fuel, material, or flow fed into the generator to convert energy.
input:air_flow	Moving air used as the primary energy source in wind-powered plants and generators, and measured in kg/s or m³/s.
input:biogas	Gas mixture produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, used as a combustible energy source, and measured in l.
input:biofuel	Liquid or gaseous fuel derived from biological sources such as ethanol, biodiesel, or syngas, and measured in l.
input:biomass	Solid organic material such as wood or crop residues, burned or converted to produce energy, and measured in kg.
input:electricity	Electrical energy supplied to a plant or device for conversion, transformation, or storage, and measured in W.
input:hot_water	Used in plants and generators as the energy source or heat transfer medium in power plants or district heating systems, and measured in J.
input:steam	Pressurized vapor used to drive turbines or transfer heat in thermal energy systems, and measured in W.
input:sun	Solar radiation used as the primary energy source for photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, and measured in W/m².
input:tidal_flow	Horizontal movement of seawater caused by tides used to generate energy in tidal stream or current turbines, and measured in m³/s.
input:uranium	Uranium is used in plants and generators as a raw material for energy production (nuclear energy), and is measured in kg.
input:water_flow	Flowing water is used in plants and generators as the driving force for energy production (hydropower), and is measured in m³/s.

Tags to be replaced

Plant & generator source

Obsolete tag	Usage (as of 2025-10-12)	Description	New tag(s) to use
plant:source=battery & generator:source=battery	626 & 898	An electricity plant or generator derives its energy from stored electrical power in batteries.	plant:method=battery & generator:method=battery
plant:source=biogas & generator:source=biogas	656 & 2 344	An electricity plant or generator derives its energy from biogas produced by the decomposition of organic matter.	input:biogas=biogas
plant:source=biofuel & generator:source=biofuel	35 & 201	An electricity plant or generator derives its energy from liquid or gaseous fuels made from biological materials.	input:biofuel=biofuel
plant:source=biomass & generator:source=biomass	2 969 & 4 309	An electricity plant or generator derives its energy from the direct combustion of organic materials such as wood, crops, or other biological matter.	input:biomass=biomass
plant:source=coal & generator:source=coal	3 066 & 4 277	An electricity plant or generator derives its energy from the combustion of coal.	input:coal=coal
plant:source=diesel & generator:source=diesel	559 & 3 529	A plant or generator that derives its energy from the combustion of diesel fuel.	input:diesel=diesel
plant:source=electricity & generator:source=electricity	5 & 110	An electricity plant or generator derives its energy from the combustion of gasoline.	input:electricity=electricity
generator:source=electricity_network	595	An electricity plant or generator derives its energy from an external electrical supply.	input:electricity=electricity
plant:source=gas & generator:source=gas	5 831 & 13 595	An electricity plant or generator derives its energy from the combustion of natural gas or other gaseous fuels.	input:gas=gas
plant:source=gasoline & generator:source=gasoline	1 & 539	An electricity plant or generator derives its energy from the combustion of diesel fuel.	input:gasoline=gasoline
plant:source=oil & generator:source=oil	1 364 & 5 032	An electricity plant or generator derives its energy from the combustion of oil.	input:oil=oil

Plant & generator method

Obsolete tag	Usage (as of 2025-10-12)	Description	New tag(s) to use
plant:method=wind_turbine & generator:method=wind_turbine	6 631 & 423 789	An electricity plant or generator produces energy using wind turbines that convert wind into electrical power.	plant:method=turbine & generator:method=turbine
plant:method=barrage & generator:method=barrage	7 & 33	A plant or generator that produces energy by storing water behind a dam or barrier and releasing it to drive turbines.	plant:method=water-storage & generator:method=water-storage
plant:method=photovoltaic & generator:method=photovoltaic	68 805 & 4 791 769	An electricity plant or generator produces energy using photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight into electrical power.	plant:method=photovoltaics & generator:method=photovoltaics

Generator type / technology

Obsolete tag	Usage (as of 2025-10-12)	Description	New tag(s) to use
generator:type=*	5 242 550	The specific technology used by a generator.	generator:technology=*
generator:type=PWR	216	A nuclear generator that is a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) using high-pressure water as coolant and moderator.	generator:technology=PWR
generator:type=BWR	37	A nuclear generator that is a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) using water that boils inside the reactor core to produce steam directly.	generator:technology=BWR
generator:type=PHWR	14	A nuclear generator that is a Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor using heavy water as both coolant and moderator.	generator:technology=PHWR
generator:type=GCR	0	A nuclear generator that is a Gas-Cooled Reactor using carbon dioxide as coolant and graphite as moderator.	generator:technology=GCR
generator:type=FBR	0	A nuclear generator that is a Fast Breeder Reactor using fast neutrons and producing more fissile material than it consumes.	generator:technology=FBR
generator:type=RMBK	11	A nuclear generator that is a graphite-moderated, water-cooled reactor of Soviet design.	generator:technology=RMBK
generator:type=VVER	72	A nuclear generator that is a Russian Pressurized Water Reactor similar to the PWR design.	generator:technology=VVER
generator:type=CANDU	8	A nuclear generator that is a Canadian Deuterium Uranium Reactor using heavy water and natural uranium fuel.	generator:technology=CANDU
generator:type=CFR-1000	0	A nuclear generator that is a Chinese Fast Reactor designed to use fast neutrons for efficient fuel breeding.	generator:technology=CFR-1000
generator:type=EPR	3	A nuclear generator that is a European Pressurized Reactor, an advanced PWR design with enhanced safety and efficiency.	generator:technology=EPR
generator:type=tokamak	2	A nuclear generator that confines plasma in a toroidal magnetic field to achieve controlled thermonuclear fusion.	generator:technology=tokamak
generator:type=stellarator	1	A nuclear generator that uses twisted magnetic fields to confine plasma for continuous thermonuclear fusion.	generator:technology=stellarator
generator:type=ICF	0	A nuclear generator that is an Inertial Confinement Fusion device using lasers or particle beams to compress and heat fuel pellets.	generator:technology=ICF
generator:type=cold-fusion	0	A nuclear generator producing fusion energy at or near room temperature.	generator:technology=cold-fusion
generator:type=horizontal_axis	333 017	A generator using a turbine with a rotation axis parallel to the flow.	generator:technology=horizontal_axis
generator:type=vertical_axis	2 263	A generator using a turbine with a rotation axis perpendicular to the flow.	generator:technology=vertical_axis
generator:type=francis_turbine	2 615	A generator using a reaction turbine with mixed water flow and variable blades.	generator:technology=francis_turbine
generator:type=kaplan_turbine	1 381	A generator using a propeller-type reaction turbine with adjustable blades for low-head, high-flow hydro plants.	generator:technology=kaplan_turbine
generator:type=hydrodynamic_screw	176	A generator using a slow-turning screw turbine that generates electricity from low-head water flows.	generator:technology=hydrodynamic_screw
generator:type=pelton_turbine	961	A generator with an impulse turbine using high-velocity water jets striking buckets, suited to high-head hydro plants.	generator:technology=pelton_turbine
generator:type=heat_pump	168	A generator using a device transferring heat from a lower to a higher temperature source using mechanical or electrical energy.	generator:technology=heat_pump
generator:type=bioreactor	926	A generator using a system that produces biogas or bioenergy through the controlled decomposition of organic material.	generator:technology=bioreactor
generator:type=steam_turbine	5 122	A generator using a turbine driven by high-pressure steam converting thermal energy into mechanical power.	generator:technology=steam_turbine
generator:type=steam_generator	306	A heat exchanger that converts (pressurized) hot water into steam	generator:technology=steam_generator
generator:type=boiler	330	A closed vessel where water or other fluids are heated by combustion or resistive effect to produce steam.	generator:technology=steam_boiler
generator:type=boiler	330	A closed vessel where water or other fluids are heated by combustion or resistive effect to produce hot water.	generator:technology=boiler
generator:type=gas_turbine	6 843	A generator using a turbine powered by combustion gases expanding through blades to generate electricity.	generator:technology=gas_turbine
generator:type=reciprocating_engine	7 061	A generator using an internal combustion engine converting fuel energy into motion through pistons.	generator:technology=reciprocating_engine
generator:type=combined_cycle	1 032	A power system combining gas and steam turbines to improve overall efficiency.	generator:technology=combined_cycle
generator:type=solar_photovoltaic_panel	4 794 414	Solar power technologies that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor cells.	generator:technology=monocrystalline ; generator:technology=polycrystalline ; generator:technology=thin_film ; generator:technology=hybrid
generator:type=solar_thermal_collector	81 346	A device that captures sunlight to heat a fluid for thermal or electrical power generation.	generator:technology=solar_thermal_collector
generator:type=lithium-ion	420	A rechargeable battery using lithium-ion chemistry for energy storage and power supply.	generator:technology=lithium-ion
generator:type=lead-acid	0	A battery using lead plates and sulfuric acid for energy storage.	generator:technology=lead-acid
generator:type=nickel-cadmium	0	A rechargeable battery using nickel oxide and cadmium electrodes.	generator:technology=nickel-cadmium
generator:type=redox-flow	1	A rechargeable battery storing energy in liquid electrolytes circulated through cells.	generator:technology=redox-flow
generator:type=molten-salt	3	A thermal system using molten salt to store and transfer heat for electricity generation.	generator:technology=molten-salt

Generators roles

Obsolete tag	Usage (as of 2025-10-31)	Description	New tag(s) to use
generator:plant=intermediate	757	A generator producing an intermediate form of energy in a power plant process	generator=internal
generator:plant=output	627 581	A generator producing energy that outputs of a power plant	generator=main

Input & output

Obsolete tag	Usage (as of 2025-10-12)	Description	New tag(s) to use
plant:output & generator:output	107 504 & 5 100 383	Form of energy or substance produced by an industrial or power generation facility.	output:
plant:output:biogas & generator:output:biogas	106 & 2 666	A plant or generator producing biogas.	output:biogas
plant:output:biofuel & generator:output:biofuel	0 & 0	A plant or generator producing liquid or gaseous biofuel.	output:biofuel
plant:output:diesel & generator:output:diesel	0 & 0	A plant or generator producing diesel fuel.	output:diesel
plant:output:electricity & generator:output:electricity	103 259 & 5 085 112	A plant or generator producing electricity.	output:electricity
plant:output:hot_water & generator:output:hot_water	3 076 & 8 336	A plant or generator producing hot water for heating or thermal use.	output:hot_water
plant:output:steam & generator:output:steam	478 & 445	A plant or generator producing steam for power generation or heating.	output:steam

Examples

Bioenergy plant

Steven's Croft Biomass Power Station, Scotland, UK; 956016428 956016428

Pictures	Map	Plant (recommended)	1 main steam turbine (optional)			1 internal boiler (optional)
		Electricity 44 MW	Electricity 44 MW		Steam 126 MW			Wood
		Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source bioenergy input:biomass yes plant:method combustion name Steven's Croft Biomass Power Station operator E.ON output:electricity 44 MW	Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source bioenergy input:steam yes generator:method turbine generator:technology steam_turbine generator main output:electricity 44 MW			Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source bioenergy input:wood yes generator:method combustion generator:technology boiler generator internal output:steam 126 MW

Fossil plant

Taichung Power Plant, Taiwan; 200691649 200691649

Pictures	Map	Plant (recommended)	10 main steam turbines (optional)			10 internal boilers (optional)			4 main gas turbines (optional)
		Electricity 5780 MW							70 MW		Gas
			Electricity 550 MW		Steam			Coal
		Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source fossil input:coal yes input:gas yes name Taichung Power Plant operator Taiwan Power Company output:electricity 5780 MW	Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source fossil input:steam yes generator:method turbine generator:technology steam_turbine generator main output:electricity 550 MW			Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source fossil input:coal yes generator:method combustion generator:technology steam_boiler generator internal output:steam yes			Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source fossil input:gas yes generator:method combustion generator:technology gas_turbine generator main output:electricity 70 MW

Geothermal plant

The Geysers, California, USA 9829559748 9829559748

Pictures	Map	Plant (recommended)	1 main steam turbine (optional)
		Electricity 78 MW	Electricity 78 MW		Steam
		Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source geothermal input:steam yes plant:method turbine name The Geysers - Sonoma operator Calpine Corporation output:electricity 78 MW	As a dry steam power station, the natural steam is directly used by the turbine. Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source geothermal input:steam yes generator:method turbine generator:technology steam_turbine generator main name Calpine 3 operator Calpine Corporation output:electricity 78 MW

Hydro plant

Itaipu Dam, Brazil; 32236291 32236291

Pictures	Map	Plant (recommended)	20 main turbines (optional)
		Electricity 14000 MW	Electricity 700 MW		Water
		Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source hydro plant:method water-storage name Itaipu Dam operator Itaipú Binacional output:electricity 14000 MW	Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source hydro generator:method water-storage generator:technology francis_turbine generator main name U1 to U20 operator Itaipú Binacional output:electricity 700 MW

Nuclear plant

Gravelines nuclear power plant ; 85203514 85203514

Picture & Map	Plant (recommended)	1 main turbine (optional)			3 steam generators (optional)			1 nuclear reactor (optional)
	Electricity 5460 MW	Electricity 910 MW		Steam 3 x 928 MW			Hot water 2785 MW			Uranium
	Hot water	Hot water dT° 11°
	Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source nuclear plant:method fission name Centrale nucléaire de Gravelines operator EDF start_date 1980 output:electricity 5460 MW output:hot_water yes	Mapped as Key Value building industrial power generator generator:source nuclear input:steam yes generator:method turbine generator:technology steam_turbine generator main output:electricity 910 MW output:hot_water yes			Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source nuclear input:hot_water yes generator:method exchange generator:technology steam_generator generator internal output:steam 928 MW			Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source nuclear input:uranium yes generator:method fission generator:technology PWR generator internal name Gravelines 4 output:hot_water 2785 MW

Solar plant

Benban Solar Park, Egypt; 694477324 694477324

Pictures	Map	Plant (recommended)	Many solar panels (optional)
		Electricity 1650 MW	Electricity		Sun
		Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source solar plant:method photovoltaics name Benban Solar Park output:electricity 1650 MW	Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source solar generator:method photovoltaics generator:technology monocrystalline generator main name Benban Solar Park output:electricity yes

Battery plant

Manatee Battery Energy Storage Center, Florida, USA] ; 1092017049 1092017049

Pictures	Map	Plant (recommended)	132 batteries (optional)
		Electricity 409 MW	Electricity 409 MW	900 MWh	Electricity
		Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source grid input:electricity yes plant:method battery plant:storage 900 MWh name Manatee Battery Energy Storage Center operator Florida Power & Light output:electricity 409 MW	Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source grid input:electricity yes generator:method battery generator:technology lithium-ion generator main generator:storage 6.82 MWh operator Florida Power & Light output:electricity 3.1 MW

Tidal plant

Rance Tidal Power Station, France; 1443767 1443767

Pictures	Map	Plant (recommended)	24 main turbines (optional)
		Electricity 240 MW	Electricity 10 MW		Water
		Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source tidal plant:method stream name Rance Tidal Power Station operator EDF output:electricity 240 MW	Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source tidal generator:method water-storage generator:technology kaplan_turbine generator main operator EDF output:electricity 10 MW

Waste plant

Reppie Waste-to-Energy plant, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 538207268 538207268

Pictures	Map	Plant (recommended)	2 main steam turbines (optional)			2 internal boilers (optional)
		Electricity 25 MW	Electricity 12.5 MW		Steam			Waste
		Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source waste plant:method combustion name Reppie Waste-to-Energy Plant operator EEPCO output:electricity 25 MW	Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source waste input:steam yes generator:method turbine generator:technology steam_turbine generator internal output:electricity 12.5 MW			Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source waste input:waste yes generator:method combustion generator:technology steam_boiler generator internal output:steam yes

See also the Stuttgart-MÜnster Combined Heat and Power plant to see how complex situations are well handled by the proposal.

Wave plant

Yongsoo OWC Pilot Wave Plant, South Korea; 1278635654 1278635654

Pictures	Map	Plant (recommended)	2 turbines (optional)
		Electricity 500 kW	Electricity 250 kW		Swell
		Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source wave plant:method turbine name Yongsoo OWC Pilot Plant operator Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering output:electricity 500 kW	Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source wave generator:method turbine generator:technology wells_turbine generator main operator Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering output:electricity 250 kW

Wind farm

Dun Law Wind Farm, Scotland, UK ; 6949311 6949311

Pictures	Map	Plant (recommended)	59 generator (optional)
		Electricity 116 MW	Electricity 660 kW		Wind
		Mapped as Key Value power plant plant:source wind name Dun Law Wind Farm operator Scottish Power Renewables output:electricity 47 MW	Mapped as Key Value power generator generator:source wind generator:technology horizontal_axis generator main name Dun Law Wind Farm operator Scottish Power Renewables output:electricity 660 kW