Modernizing El Segundo's Power Generating Station
Modernization of the El Segundo
Generating Station will improve the
availability, supply and reliability of
electric power for the greater South
Bay area while maintaining its
tradition of being a good neighbor to
the surrounding coastal communities.
Plant modernization will improve the
visual aesthetics of the plant site and
include new enhancements that will
benefit the community.
The modernized plant will produce
substantially more power (up to 560
megawatts [MW]) and use advanced
control technology to reduce air
emissions as compared to the plant
it will replace. The use of reclaimed
water for most in-plant water
processes will reduce demand on
precious drinking or potable water
supplies. The new units will be air
cooled eliminating the need for
ocean water cooling, which protects
marine life.
Before
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After
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| The repowering project entails replacing
the two oldest units with a state-of-theart,
combined cycle power plant. To
improve the visual appearance of the
plant, two large oil storage tanks will be
removed. Native landscaping, benches
and a new sea wall will enhance the
coastal bike path’s overall look. |
"NRG is proving that you can protect the environment and still make a competitive profit. We think they have set a standard for the entire industry."
Surfrider
Foundation |
- Joe Geever, California Coordinator for
Surfrider Foundation |
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General Description of Project
On June 19, 2007, El Segundo Power II, LLC (El Segundo) filed a petition with the California Energy Commission requesting to amend the Energy Commission Decision to eliminate the use of ocean water as the cooling water source for the El Segundo Power Redevelopment Project (ESPR). The petition proposes a new rapid response combined cycle (R2C2) design that will allow the project to operate without once-through cooling, along with changes to the previously approved laydown/staging areas and access routes. The 630 MW ESPR was originally certified by the Energy Commission at a special Business Meeting on December 23, 2004, but a second Business Meeting to consider errata was held on February 2, 2005. The decision, with errata, was certified on February 2, 2005. A petition challenging the certification was filed with the California Supreme Court shortly thereafter, thus delaying the effective date of the decision. With the Court's denial of the petition on August 31, 2005, the decision became final. The facility is located in the City of El Segundo in Los Angeles County.
Description of Proposed Modification
El Segundo has proposed eliminating the use of ocean water as the cooling water source for the project by redesigning the facility to use fast-start turbines and dry-cooling. Additional changes have been proposed to the project, to support this change in design and to address a new laydown area and new equipment delivery options.
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