Palmdale Hybrid Gas-Solar Power Plant faces CEC staff review requiring ozone emission reduction credits; a 377-acre combined-cycle and solar thermal hybrid boosting local energy supply, jobs, air quality, and grid reliability.
Story Summary
A proposed hybrid combined-cycle and solar thermal plant in Palmdale, pending CEC approval and ozone credit compliance.
- Integrates gas combined-cycle with 50 MW solar thermal.
- Requires ozone emission reduction credits before permitting.
- CEC staff assessment precedes commissioners' proposed decision.
The City of Palmdale's proposal for a 570-megawatt natural gas/solar power plant in Los Angeles County does not meet California state air quality regulations but could be updated to meet the requirements, state regulators said.
In a statement, the California Energy Commission said its staff determined the city should first identify sufficient ozone emission reduction credits before allowing the estimated $950 million Palmdale power plant to go forward.
The staff assessment is not a final decision on the project. The assessment will serve as the staff's testimony at a hearing to be held by two commissioners who will then recommend a proposed decision to the full commission in a process similar to reviews of plants that would run at times of peak demand in other cities, which will make the final decision.
Palmdale filed to build the project, eyed for an old Air Force plant site, with the Commission in 2008. If approved, the Commission said the plant could enter service in 2013.
The project, to be located on a 377-acre industrial site, will integrate a gas-fired combined-cycle power plant with a solar thermal plant. To reduce natural gas use and carbon dioxide and other emissions, the solar part of the plant will contribute up to 50 MW of generation when the sun is shining, helping meet peak demand on hot afternoons.
Palmdale Mayor James Ledford said in local reports the city proposed the project to increase local energy supplies, create jobs and attract businesses to the area by reducing the city's dependence on more expensive outside sources of electricity, though some farmers have protested over potential agricultural impacts.
Edison International's Southern California Edison supplies the city with power.
Almost 500,000 people live in the Palmdale metro area with about 150,000 within the city borders. Palmdale is located about 60 miles north of Los Angeles.
Related News
Related News
Three New Solar Electricity Facilities in Alberta Contracted At Lower Cost than Natural Gas
Alberta Solar Energy Contracts secure low-cost photovoltaic PPAs for government operations, delivering renewable electricity at…
View more
Sub-Saharan Africa has a huge electricity problem - but with challenge comes opportunity
Sub-Saharan Africa Energy Access faces critical deficits; SDG7, clean energy finance, off-grid solar, and microgrids…
View more
Blizzard and Extreme Cold Hit Calgary and Alberta
Calgary Winter Storm and Extreme Cold delivers heavy snowfall, ECCC warnings, blowing snow, icy roads,…
View more
Clocks are running slow across Europe because of an argument over who pays the electricity bill
European Grid Frequency Clock Slowdown has made appliance clocks run minutes behind as AC frequency…
View more
EU Plans To Double Electricity Use By 2050
European Green Deal Electrification accelerates decarbonization via renewables, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and clean industry,…
View more
California electricity pricing changes pose an existential threat to residential rooftop solar
California Rooftop Solar Rate Reforms propose shifting net metering to fixed access fees, peak-demand charges,…
View more
Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter
Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.
Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE
Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
- Timely insights from industry experts
- Practical solutions T&D engineers
- Free access to every issue
