Overview
Lockheed Martin Sunnyvale is a 1.1 MW gas power plant in California, United States, owned by Bloom Energy. It provides on-site power generation for the Lockheed Martin facility.
Lockheed Martin Sunnyvale is a gas power plant located in Sunnyvale, California, United States. With a capacity of 1.1 MW, it is a small-scale facility designed for on-site power generation, supporting the energy needs of the Lockheed Martin campus. The plant is owned by Bloom Energy, a company known for fuel cell technology, and is currently operational. The plant operates on natural gas, a fuel that offers lower emissions compared to coal but still contributes to CO2 and NOx emissions. In the United States, gas power plants are regulated under the Clean Air Act, including standards for hazardous air pollutants and New Source Performance Standards. The facility's small capacity places it in the distributed generation category, often used for backup or peak shaving. This facility plays a role in providing reliable electricity to a major aerospace and defense contractor, reducing reliance on the grid and enhancing energy security. Its location in Silicon Valley, a region with high energy demand and environmental awareness, underscores the importance of efficient and cleaner power generation technologies.
Environmental context
The plant's use of natural gas results in lower CO2 emissions per MWh compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its small capacity and location in an urban area mean local air quality impacts are minimal, though NOx emissions are regulated under the Clean Air Act. The facility's proximity to residential and commercial areas necessitates compliance with state and federal emission standards.
Frequently asked questions
Lockheed Martin Sunnyvale is located in Sunnyvale, California, United States, at coordinates 37.413100, -122.028100.
It is a gas power plant with a capacity of 1.1 MW, owned by Bloom Energy and used for on-site power generation.
The plant is owned by Bloom Energy, a company specializing in fuel cell and distributed energy solutions.
Gas power plants in the U.S. are regulated under the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards and emission limits for NOx, SO2, and other pollutants.
With a capacity of 1.1 MW, it is a small-scale distributed generation facility, much smaller than typical utility-scale gas plants which often exceed 100 MW.