Overview
Coalinga Cogeneration Facility is a 6.8 MW gas power plant in California, USA, owned by Aera Energy LLC. It operates as a cogeneration unit, providing both electricity and thermal energy.
The Coalinga Cogeneration Facility is a gas-fired power plant located in Coalinga, California, United States. With a capacity of 6.8 MW, it is a small-scale facility within the US power generation sector, designed for cogeneration to maximize energy efficiency by producing both electricity and useful heat. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). As a gas-fired facility, it benefits from lower emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) compared to coal plants, though it still must comply with emission limits and permitting requirements. Owned by Aera Energy LLC, the facility likely serves local industrial or community needs, contributing to grid stability and energy efficiency in the region. Its cogeneration design reduces overall fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy output, aligning with modern energy efficiency goals.
Environmental context
The facility's gas-fired cogeneration technology results in lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions per MWh compared to conventional separate heat and power generation. Its small capacity (6.8 MW) limits its overall environmental footprint. Located in California, the plant operates under stringent state and federal air quality regulations, including the California Air Resources Board (CARB) rules, which further reduce its environmental impact.
Frequently asked questions
The Coalinga Cogeneration Facility is located in Coalinga, California, United States, at coordinates 36.170300, -120.364100.
The facility has a capacity of 6.8 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale gas power plant.
The facility is owned by Aera Energy LLC, an oil and gas company based in California.
Gas power plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act (CAA), including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and emission limits for pollutants like SO2 and NOx. State-level regulations, such as those from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), may also apply.
Cogeneration, or combined heat and power (CHP), produces both electricity and useful thermal energy from a single fuel source. This increases overall efficiency, reduces fuel consumption, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to separate generation of heat and power.