Stony Brook Power Plant

Stony Brook Power Plant
Location of Mystic Generating Station in Ludlow, Massachusetts
Location of Mystic Generating Station in Ludlow, Massachusetts
Country United States
Coordinates 42°11′45″N 72°30′15″W / 42.19583°N 72.50417°W / 42.19583; -72.50417Coordinates: 42°11′45″N 72°30′15″W / 42.19583°N 72.50417°W / 42.19583; -72.50417
Status Operating
Commission date 1981
Owner(s) Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company, Green Mountain Power Corporation, Lyndonville, Vermont,[1]
Operator(s) Karl Winkler
Power generation
Units operational 2
Units planned 1
Nameplate capacity 517 Megawatts (MW)
Capacity factor 85.7%
Website
Official Website

The Stony Brook Power Plant is a petroleum-fired power station located in Ludlow, MA on a 350 acre site.[2] It was the first power plant in Massachusetts to use combined-cycle technology.[3]

It is owned by a number of parties, but the majority of it is owned by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC).[1] The plant consists of two generating units. The Stony Brook Intermediate Unit generates 354 MW of electricity with its three combined-cycle turbines that can burn either petroleum or natural gas. The Stony Brook Peaking Unit is a 172 MW peaking unit which runs during periods on high demand using petroleum.[1] These units provide electricity to 24 municipalities in Massachusetts.[2]

History

Since 1976, the plant has been financed with a number of bonds that have granted partial ownership to the Green Mountain Power Corporation and the town of Lyndonville, Vermont.[2][4] The first unit was constructed in 1981 with the second unit being constructed the following year in 1982.[1] Originally the units were construction with the intention of running solely on petroleum, but were later converted to dual-fuel in 1983 when natural gas became available.[2]

In 2006, MMWEC began considering the construction of a third combined-cycle natural gas 280 MW unit. It received approval from the Ludlow Board of Selectmen the same year with the expected date of completion in mid-2010. The unit has not yet been completed, as MMWEC has cited a need for additional funding before the project is can be completed. The town does not plan to provide this funding.[3][5] Additionally, recent maintenance has extended the lifespan of the plant through 2030.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Stony Brook". mmwec.org. MMWEC. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Stony Brook Energy Center". ccj-online. Combined Cycle Journal. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 "MMWEC's Stony Brook plant turns 25". Public Power (46). Public Power. November 20, 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 Varela, Robert (July 31, 2014). "MMWEC retires bonds for portion of its interests in nuclear plants". Public Power Daily. Public Power Daily. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  5. ↑ PATRICIA, ROY. "Board updated on Stony Brook power plant". The Landmark. The Landmark. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
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