Mira Loma Peaker: 49.8 MW OCGT Peaking Power Plant in California, USA

Mira Loma Peaker is a natural gas-fired open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) power plant located in Mira Loma, California, United States. With a capacity of 49.8 MW, it is classified as a small-scale peaking facility designed to meet short-term electricity demand spikes. The plant is owned and operated by Southern California Edison Co, a major utility serving the region. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards and the Acid Rain Program. As an OCGT unit, it uses simple-cycle technology, which offers rapid start-up and flexibility but typically has lower efficiency compared to combined-cycle plants. The facility's gas fuel source results in lower CO2 emissions per MWh than coal, though NOx and SOx emissions are regulated under state and federal permits. Mira Loma Peaker plays a critical role in maintaining grid stability in Southern California, particularly during heat waves when air conditioning demand surges. Its strategic location near load centers reduces transmission losses and enhances system reliability. The plant's operational status as a peaker underscores its importance in balancing intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

The plant's gas fuel and OCGT technology result in moderate CO2 and NOx emissions per MWh, subject to EPA regulations under the Clean Air Act. Its location in the Los Angeles Basin, a non-attainment area for ozone, means NOx emissions are tightly controlled. The facility's small capacity and peaking operation limit its overall environmental footprint compared to baseload plants.