Overview
McMinnville is a 24 MW diesel power plant in Tennessee, USA, operated by McMinnville Electric System. It provides peaking capacity to the local grid.
McMinnville is a diesel-fired power plant located in McMinnville, Tennessee, United States. With a capacity of 24 MW, it is a small-scale facility within the US power generation sector, typically used for peaking or emergency backup. The plant is owned and operated by McMinnville Electric System, a municipal utility serving the local community. Diesel power plants like McMinnville operate under the US Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act regulations, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for stationary engines. These regulations control emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter. The plant's small capacity and intermittent operation help mitigate its environmental footprint. Its location in rural Tennessee supports local energy resilience. Diesel plants are generally less efficient than combined-cycle gas turbines and have higher CO2 emissions per MWh.
Environmental context
The plant's diesel fuel combustion produces CO2, NOx, SO2, and particulate matter. Its 24 MW capacity and likely intermittent operation reduce overall emissions compared to baseload plants. Diesel generators can impact local air quality. The facility must comply with EPA emission standards for stationary engines, including Tier levels for NOx and PM.
Frequently asked questions
The McMinnville diesel power plant is located in McMinnville, Tennessee, United States, at coordinates 35.705000, -85.743900.
McMinnville is a diesel power plant with a capacity of 24 MW, used for peaking or emergency power generation.
The plant is owned and operated by McMinnville Electric System, a municipal utility serving the McMinnville area.
Diesel power plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act, including NAAQS, NSPS for stationary engines, and state-level emission limits for NOx, SO2, and PM.
As a peaking plant, McMinnville provides additional capacity during periods of high electricity demand, supporting grid reliability and local energy resilience.