Overview
Nottoway Diesel Generating Facility is a 4 MW oil-fired diesel power plant in Virginia, USA, owned by Old Dominion Electric Cooperative. It provides peaking capacity to the regional grid.
Nottoway Diesel Generating Facility is a 4 MW diesel power plant located in Nottoway County, Virginia, United States. Owned by Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, the facility operates as a peaking plant, supplying electricity during periods of high demand. Its small scale is typical of diesel-fired units that provide grid stability and emergency backup. The plant uses oil as its primary fuel and operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Air Act, including emissions standards for sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter. As a diesel facility, it employs internal combustion engine technology, which is common for smaller, fast-response generation units. The plant's capacity of 4 MW places it in the small-scale category for power generation. As part of Old Dominion Electric Cooperative's portfolio, the Nottoway facility serves member cooperatives and their customers in rural Virginia. Its role in providing peaking power helps integrate variable renewable sources and ensures reliability during extreme weather events. The plant's environmental footprint is managed through compliance with state and federal air quality regulations.
Environmental context
The facility's oil-fired diesel engines produce CO2, SO2, NOx, and particulate emissions, which are regulated under the Clean Air Act. Its location in a rural area reduces direct population exposure, but emissions contribute to regional air quality. The plant's small capacity and intermittent operation limit its overall environmental impact compared to larger baseload plants.
Frequently asked questions
Nottoway Diesel Generating Facility is located in Nottoway County, Virginia, United States, near the coordinates 36.6972 N, -77.1050 W.
It is a diesel power plant that uses oil as its primary fuel to generate electricity, with a capacity of 4 megawatts.
The facility is owned by Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving member distribution cooperatives in Virginia.
Diesel power plants in the U.S. must comply with the Clean Air Act, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and regulations for SO2, NOx, and particulate matter emissions. Facilities may also be subject to state-level permits.
As a peaking plant, it operates during periods of high electricity demand to ensure grid reliability and stability, complementing baseload and renewable generation sources.