Power plant built at John Wayne Airport
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA - If the idea of a power plant typically conjures visions of smoke stacks and cooling towers, John Wayne Airport is defying tradition, unveiling an energy production system that stands just two stories tall amid flowers and palm trees.
"This unassuming building will serve a purpose far greater than its simple exterior suggests," said Alan Murphy, airport director, at a dedication ceremony.
That purpose is "a stable, reliable, environmentally responsible source of power to support the airport and to reduce our demand on the electric grid," said Jenny Wedge, JWA spokeswoman.
About 95 percent of the airport's energy needs will be satisfied by the plant's natural-gas-fired engines, although Southern California Edison remains capable of fully powering Orange County's aviation hub.
Officials previously said the $31 million project would pay for itself within a decade, but have backed off that assertion. While $1.7 million annually at today's rates will be saved by not buying electricity from the grid, that will be offset by operating costs, such as hiring a contractor to run the plant and buying natural gas.
Related News
Ontario to seek new wind, solar power to help ease coming electricity supply crunch
TORONTO - Ontario is working toward filling all of the province’s quickly growing electricity needs with emissions-free sources, including a plan to secure new renewable generation, but isn’t quite ready to commit to a moratorium on natural gas.
Energy Minister Todd Smith announced Monday a strategy to prepare the grid for 2030 to 2050 — the Independent Electricity System Operator projects Ontario’s electricity demand could double by mid-century — and next steps involve looking for new wind, solar and hydroelectric power.
“While we may not need to start building today, government and those in the energy sector need to start planning immediately,…
