Overview
Foster Wheeler Martinez is a 113.5 MW gas power plant in Martinez, California, operated by Foster Wheeler Power Sys Inc. It supplies electricity to the local grid under US EPA regulations.
Foster Wheeler Martinez is a gas-fired power plant located in Martinez, California, United States. With a capacity of 113.5 MW, it operates as a medium-scale facility within the US power generation sector. The plant is owned and operated by Foster Wheeler Power Sys Inc and is currently in operational status. The facility utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel, a common choice for modern power plants due to its lower emissions compared to coal. Operating under the US EPA's Clean Air Act, the plant must comply with NAAQS, the Acid Rain Program, and CSAPR, which regulate SO2, NOx, and other pollutants. The plant's technology likely includes combined cycle or simple cycle gas turbines, typical for this scale. Foster Wheeler Martinez plays a role in meeting regional electricity demand in California, a state with ambitious renewable energy targets. Its gas-fired generation provides grid stability and peaking capacity, complementing intermittent renewable sources. The plant's environmental footprint is influenced by its fuel type and location near populated areas.
Environmental context
The plant's gas-fired operation results in lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions compared to coal plants, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in Martinez, California, places it near urban areas, requiring adherence to state and federal air quality standards. The plant's age and technology (likely subcritical or combined cycle) affect its efficiency and emissions profile.
Frequently asked questions
Foster Wheeler Martinez is located in Martinez, California, United States, at coordinates 38.0244, -122.0589.
The plant has a capacity of 113.5 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale gas power plant.
The plant is owned and operated by Foster Wheeler Power Sys Inc.
As a US facility, Foster Wheeler Martinez must comply with the Clean Air Act, including NAAQS, the Acid Rain Program, and CSAPR, which regulate emissions of SO2, NOx, and other pollutants.
The plant uses natural gas as its primary fuel, which produces lower emissions than coal but still contributes to CO2 output.