Overview
Kinmundy is a 270 MW gas-fired power plant in Illinois, United States, operated by Union Electric Co. It provides reliable electricity generation to the regional grid.
Kinmundy is a gas-fired power generation facility located in Illinois, United States, with a capacity of 270 megawatts (MW). The plant is owned and operated by Union Electric Co (MO) and is currently in operational status. It serves as a medium-scale gas power plant within the broader U.S. power generation sector. The facility operates using natural gas as its primary fuel, a common choice for modern power plants due to its lower emissions compared to coal. The plant's capacity of 270 MW places it in the medium-scale range for gas power plants in the United States. Regulatory oversight includes compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act (CAA) standards, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Acid Rain Program, which govern emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other pollutants. Kinmundy contributes to the regional power grid, supporting electricity demand in Illinois and surrounding areas. As a gas-fired plant, it offers operational flexibility and can be dispatched to meet peak loads or complement renewable energy sources. The facility's location in a rural area may reduce direct environmental impact on densely populated zones, though its emissions still contribute to regional air quality considerations.
Environmental context
The Kinmundy gas power plant operates in a rural area of Illinois, which may have lower baseline air pollution compared to urban centers. Natural gas combustion produces lower CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions per MWh than coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and local air quality. The plant's capacity of 270 MW is moderate, and its technology likely includes combined cycle or simple cycle gas turbines, affecting efficiency and emission profiles. Proximity to agricultural or natural areas may require attention to local ecological impacts.
Frequently asked questions
The Kinmundy power plant is located in Illinois, United States, near the coordinates 38.7619 N, -89.0128 W.
The Kinmundy gas power plant has a capacity of 270 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale gas-fired facility.
The Kinmundy power plant is owned and operated by Union Electric Co (MO).
Gas power plants in the United States must comply with the Clean Air Act (CAA), including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the Acid Rain Program, and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which regulate emissions of SO2, NOx, and other pollutants.
The primary fuel used at the Kinmundy power plant is natural gas, which produces lower emissions compared to coal but still contributes to CO2 and other pollutants.