Overview
Kendall Square Station is a 234.7 MW gas-fired power plant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, operated by Kendall Green Energy LLC. It serves the local grid with natural gas generation.
Kendall Square Station is a gas-fired power generation facility located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. With a capacity of 234.7 MW, it operates as a medium-scale plant within the regional power grid, providing electricity to the Greater Boston area. The plant is owned and operated by Kendall Green Energy LLC and is currently in operational status. The facility utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel, a common choice for modern power generation due to its lower emissions compared to coal. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards and the Acid Rain Program, which govern emissions of SO2, NOx, and other pollutants. Kendall Square Station plays a key role in meeting the energy demands of the densely populated Cambridge and Boston area. Its location in an urban setting underscores the importance of efficient and cleaner-burning natural gas generation for local grid reliability. The plant contributes to the region's energy mix while adhering to federal and state environmental regulations.
Environmental context
The plant's gas-fired generation produces lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions compared to coal plants, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its urban location near populated areas necessitates stringent emission controls under the Clean Air Act. The facility's age and technology type (subcritical vs. supercritical vs. Modern gas plants often achieve higher efficiency and lower emissions.
Frequently asked questions
Kendall Square Station is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, at coordinates 42.3633 N, -71.0792 W.
Kendall Square Station is a gas-fired power plant with a capacity of 234.7 MW, using natural gas as its primary fuel.
The plant is owned by Kendall Green Energy LLC.
Gas power plants like Kendall Square Station are subject to the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for NOx and SO2, the Acid Rain Program, and state-level emissions limits.
With a capacity of 234.7 MW, the plant provides electricity to the Greater Boston area, supporting grid reliability and meeting demand in a densely populated urban region.