Overview
North Branch (MN) is an 11 MW diesel power plant in North Branch, Minnesota, operated by North Branch Water & Light Comm. The facility provides peaking capacity to the local grid.
North Branch (MN) is a diesel power plant located in North Branch, Minnesota, United States. With a capacity of 11 MW, it is a small-scale facility that serves as a peaking plant, providing electricity during periods of high demand. The plant is owned and operated by North Branch Water & Light Comm, a municipal utility serving the local community. The plant operates on oil (diesel) as its primary fuel, which is typical for peaking plants due to its quick start-up capabilities. As a diesel-fired facility, it falls under the regulatory purview of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act, including emissions standards for criteria pollutants such as SOx, NOx, and particulate matter. Small diesel plants often use reciprocating engines. Environmentally, the plant's diesel fuel source results in higher CO2 emissions per MWh compared to natural gas, and it may also emit SOx and NOx. Its location in North Branch, a small city in Chisago County, means it serves a relatively small population. The plant's role as a peaking facility is crucial for grid reliability, especially during extreme weather events common in Minnesota.
Environmental context
The plant's diesel fuel source results in higher CO2 emissions per MWh compared to natural gas, and it may also emit SOx and NOx. Its location in North Branch, a small city in Chisago County, means it serves a relatively small population. The plant's role as a peaking facility is crucial for grid reliability, especially during extreme weather events common in Minnesota.
Frequently asked questions
The North Branch (MN) diesel power plant is located in North Branch, Minnesota, United States, at coordinates 45.510600, -92.979000.
The North Branch (MN) power plant has a capacity of 11 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale peaking facility.
The North Branch (MN) power plant is owned and operated by North Branch Water & Light Comm, a municipal utility serving the local community.
Diesel power plants in the United States are subject to the Clean Air Act, including emissions standards for SOx, NOx, particulate matter, and other pollutants. They may also need to comply with state-level regulations and permitting requirements.
Peaking power plants like North Branch (MN) provide electricity during periods of high demand, ensuring grid reliability. They typically operate only a few hundred hours per year and can start up quickly to meet sudden spikes in electricity consumption.