JEA's Greenland Energy Center coming to the Southside

[thelakelander]

5,530 acres of solar panels to produce the 553 MW that JEA's new plant will produce.

That could be a problem.

[BridgeTroll]

This reality makes solar a complement to traditional electricity generation, not a replacement.  Seems more suited for individual homes, businesses, or governments.  Seems to me that wind power would fall into the same category.  Large tracts of land covered in windmills to generate the same power as a traditional plant.

[Jason]

Exactly.  On a small scale solar make a lot of sence but on a power company scale, not so much.

Note that there are other technologies out there that are more compact or use the solar radiation to generate a steam driven turbine and can take up less space, however, they still require vast amounts of land and are more expensive to implement and maintain.

[Doctor_K]

Agree.  

This discussion makes me start to wonder, though, how much the technology of both PV/Solar and Wind will advance and evolve in the next 20 years or so.  Makes me excited to see what's coming next!

[Jason]

The technology is there, it just needs to be implemented.  I've seen gobs of shows on Discovery, TLC, and History channels touting gobs of revolutionary new technologies.  It just takes tons of money and tons of time to get them out of the lab an into mass use.

When you get a free moment just try Googling "solar technology" or "future energy".  You'll be amazed.

[BridgeTroll]

No doubt the technology is there but it still is not cost effective enough nor is it efficient enough to replace conventional sources.  Coal, oil, and gas will continue for the forseeable future to be the generator of choice for the vast majority of humans on this planet...

[bde269]

i want to work there and be part of the start up crew i work at a 550 mw combine cycle plant and want to be down south

[NotNow]

There should be state and federal tax credits to reimburse at least 75% cost of a typical residential or small business installation.  A four to eight panel system with batteries and inverter to supply at least 75% of electricity used.  Same for the "plug in" electric car.  This is where "stimulus" money should be spent.  This would IMMEDIATLY reduce the need for foreign oil, create jobs and stimulate research and competition in this field.

[mtraininjax]

With so much coal available, it seems silly not to use it, or Nuclear over more difficult to reach natural gas. Anyone heard about Peak oil reserves being reached? All the easy energy has been found, newer deposits (oil and nat gas) will require more drilling and more expenses.

Again, coal is easier to find, we know where it is and to mine it as well. If we can spend 3 trillion bucks in Iraq, we can figure out ways to clean coal emissions.

[Lunican]

JEA power plant project moves forward
Two natural gas-powered turbines to cost $205 million

The recession pushed back building plans for the Greenland Energy Center, but now the Jacksonville power project is moving forward with a cheaper price tag.

Two natural gas-powered combustion turbines, each able to generate 177 megawatts, will cost JEA $205 million — about $45 million below previous estimates, the city-owned utility said last week.

Full article:
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-06-22/story/jea_power_plant_project_moves_forward

[Jason]

In the short term, this is good news that the plant is moving forward because it will add redundancy and flexibility to the grid.  The bad news is that the sole reason this plant is necessary is because of the sprawl that has taken place in southern Duval and northern St. Johns.  This plant will only aid future development, IMO.

Still, we should brace for a likely rate hike.  JEA should still be at the lower end when compared to other utilities, but not as low as they are today.

[copperfiend]

They closed the driving range too early. It is sitting there rotting. Damn you JEA!!!

[Ocklawaha]

In Oklahoma and Texas alone, there must be 6000 torches burning off the NG from the well fields. One would think we'd be looking for a way to capture ALL of it for use. Any JEA types on here know if they'll capture the exhust heat for a steam turbine?

As for the Coal Quesiton, I'm all for it if we could burn Anthracite (clean) coal. Otherwise, we'd need to build the plant in Hilliard or maybe Kings Bay.

OCKLAWAHA

[reednavy]

JEA has espressed possible nuclear power in the future. I'd expect that plant to be built probably along the St. Mary's River in Baker County or Charlton County, GA.

[Traveller]

With all the timber located in and around the First Coast region, I wonder whether JEA has considered cellulosic biomass as a fuel source.