Overview
Ford Utilities Center is a 14.8 MW gas power plant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, operated by the University of New Mexico. It provides on-campus power generation for the university.
Ford Utilities Center is a gas-fired power plant located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. With a capacity of 14.8 MW, it is a small-scale facility primarily serving the University of New Mexico's campus energy needs. The plant is operational and owned by the university. The facility operates on natural gas, a cleaner-burning fossil fuel compared to coal, but still emits CO2 and other pollutants. As a small combined-cycle or simple-cycle gas plant, it likely uses efficient combustion technology. In the US, such plants are regulated under the Clean Air Act, including NAAQS for local air quality and potentially the Acid Rain Program for SO2 emissions. This plant plays a key role in providing reliable power to the university, supporting educational and research activities. Its location in an urban area means it must meet stringent local and federal emission standards. The plant's small scale and gas fuel type reduce its environmental footprint relative to larger coal or oil facilities.
Environmental context
The plant's gas fuel type results in lower CO2 emissions per MWh compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in Albuquerque, a populated area, requires compliance with EPA NAAQS for NOx and SO2. The small capacity (14.8 MW) limits its overall environmental impact, but local air quality considerations remain important.
Frequently asked questions
Ford Utilities Center is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, on the campus of the University of New Mexico.
Ford Utilities Center has a capacity of 14.8 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale gas power plant.
Ford Utilities Center is owned by the University of New Mexico, which operates it to supply power to its campus.
Gas power plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants like NOx and SO2, and may be subject to the Acid Rain Program and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR).
With a capacity of 14.8 MW, Ford Utilities Center is a small gas plant, typical for institutional or district energy systems. Larger gas plants often exceed 500 MW and use combined-cycle technology for higher efficiency.