What is the term for any process that involves the generation and utilization of steam?

The term that best describes any process involving the generation and utilization of steam is "Steam Cycle." In power engineering, the steam cycle represents the series of processes where water is converted into steam, which then drives turbines to generate electricity or perform work.

The steam cycle typically includes key components such as boilers, turbines, condensers, and feedwater heaters. Here, water is heated to produce steam, which expands in a turbine to generate power. After the steam has done its work, it is condensed back into water and returned to the boiler, completing the cycle.

While "Power Plant" refers to facilities that generate electricity, it does not specifically define the process of generating and utilizing steam. A "Thermal System" encompasses a broader category of systems that can involve various heat transfer processes, and "Energy Conversion" is a more generalized term that includes various forms of energy transformation, not solely focused on steam. Therefore, the most accurate term for the specific process described is "Steam Cycle."