Overview
Mission College Blvd. Fuel Cell is a 5 MW gas power plant in Santa Clara, California, United States. It is owned by 2016 ESA Project Company LLC and is currently operational.
Mission College Blvd. Fuel Cell is a gas power plant located in Santa Clara, California, United States. With a capacity of 5 MW, it is a small-scale facility within the country's diverse power generation sector. The plant is owned by 2016 ESA Project Company LLC and is currently operational. As a gas-fired power plant, it operates using natural gas, which has a lower carbon footprint compared to coal but still contributes to CO2 emissions. The plant's small capacity suggests it may serve local or niche demand, possibly for distributed generation or grid support. In the United States, gas power plants are regulated under the Clean Air Act, including NAAQS and the Acid Rain Program, though smaller units may have different compliance requirements. The plant's location in Santa Clara, part of Silicon Valley, places it in a region with high electricity demand and a focus on clean energy. Its fuel cell technology indicates a modern, efficient design that aligns with California's progressive environmental policies. The facility likely plays a role in local grid stability or serves a specific industrial or commercial customer.
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 small capacity (5 MW) limits its overall environmental impact. Located in Santa Clara, a densely populated urban area, the plant's emissions may affect local air quality, though modern fuel cell technology typically has lower NOx and SOx emissions than conventional gas turbines. California's stringent environmental regulations, including the California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, likely apply.
Frequently asked questions
Mission College Blvd. Fuel Cell is located in Santa Clara, California, United States, at coordinates 37.386300, -121.962400.
It is a gas power plant using fuel cell technology, with a capacity of 5 MW.
The plant is owned by 2016 ESA Project Company LLC.
Gas power plants in the U.S. are regulated under the Clean Air Act, including NAAQS, the Acid Rain Program, and CSAPR. State-level regulations, such as California's CARB standards, may also apply.
With 5 MW, it is a small-scale facility. Typical gas power plants range from 50 MW to over 500 MW for utility-scale, while smaller units like this are often used for distributed generation or backup power.