Overview
Coalinga Cogeneration is a 38.4 MW gas-fired power plant in California, United States. It is owned by Coalinga Cogeneration Co and is currently operational.
Coalinga Cogeneration is a gas-fired power generation facility located in California, United States. With a capacity of 38.4 MW, it is a small-scale plant within the US power generation sector. The plant is owned by Coalinga Cogeneration Co and is currently operational, serving the local energy grid. The facility operates on natural gas, a fuel that offers lower emissions compared to coal but still contributes to CO2 and NOx output. As a cogeneration plant, it likely provides both electricity and thermal energy, improving overall efficiency. In the US, such plants are subject to EPA regulations including the Clean Air Act and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for greenhouse gases. The plant's location in California places it under the state's stringent environmental regulations, including the California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards. Its modest capacity suggests it serves a local or industrial customer base, contributing to grid reliability and potentially supporting nearby agricultural or industrial operations in the Central Valley region.
Environmental context
The plant's use of natural gas as primary fuel results in lower CO2 emissions per MWh compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in California's Central Valley, an area with air quality challenges, means it operates under strict state and federal emission limits. The cogeneration design improves overall efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and emissions per unit of useful energy output.
Frequently asked questions
Coalinga Cogeneration is located in California, United States, at coordinates 36.180700, -120.388500.
Coalinga Cogeneration is a gas-fired power plant with a capacity of 38.4 MW. It is a cogeneration facility, meaning it produces both electricity and thermal energy.
Coalinga Cogeneration is owned by Coalinga Cogeneration Co.
Gas power plants in the US are regulated under the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for greenhouse gases and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants like NOx and SO2. State-level regulations, such as those from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), may also apply.
Cogeneration plants typically achieve higher overall efficiency (60-80%) compared to separate electricity and heat generation, as they capture waste heat for industrial or heating purposes.