JEA's Greenland Energy Center coming to the Southside

[scaleybark]

I wonder if a plasma arc system would work here in Jax.  Hit two birds with one stone.  The St Lucie plant is working, though at a reduced capacity thanks in part to the economy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_arc_waste_disposal

[Jason]

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.

JEA wants nuclear, just can't get it.

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?

I'm pretty sure they are the three stage generators.  Under that assumption, yes a gas turbine will turn a generator then the exhaust blast from the first turbine turns a second second generator and the leftover heat from the exhaust is used to produce steam to turn a third generator.

[mtraininjax]

JEA is involved in talks with Rayonier on a biomass plant. I know this from my pals in Rayonier. However, you do not get the same amount of power from the biomass that you get from Natural Gas.

[reednavy]

So, what;s the status/progress of the power plant?

[kellypope]

Why have we all forgotten about wind? You don't need those inefficient and massive three-winged turbines to get electricity, during the night when no solar panel is putting out anything. Have you guys seen this design: http://www.greengeek.ca/magnetic-levitation-residential-wind-turbines/
We get a lot of flung-off storms from hurricanes, but not really any direct contact with the eye. But you don't even really need that kind of gale-force wind to turn one of these.

Does anyone know what an average home in Jax (specifically) uses in terms of kWh/month?

From the link:

Mag-Wind has developed a magnetically-levitated vertical-axis wind turbine for residential applications. The use of magnetic levitation reduces friction, as well as that horrible squeaking sound associated with roof-mounted wind vents. The MW-1100, a Canadian invention, is reportedly able to generate the same electrical output from it’s 4 foot sweep as a much larger blade turbine.
The MW-1100 is capable of outputting 1,100 kWh per month with an average windspeed of 13mph, and has a cut-in speed of less than 5mph. It has a top speed of over 100mph, meaning it will easily handle most storms and winds. At optimal output, over 10 years the electricity produced by the MW-1100 turbine is 3.5 cents per kWh. In terms of financial payback, if your current electrical bill is $300 per month or more, the MW-1100 wind turbine will pay for itself in 3 years or less.

The units were planned to be available in spring of 2006, but so far there’s no word on their availablility.

[mtraininjax]

Good article in the Oct 8 week's Business Week magazine about Natural Gas. Did you know that the US, according the Colorado School of Mines, holds, mind you, holds, 1.8 TRILLION CUBIC FEET of Natural Gas? This is the equivalent of 320 billion barrels of oil, more than the Saudi's hold in 264 billion barrels.

What many utilities are discussing is using a gas turbine next to a wind farm or solar farm for when wind dies down or when there are cloudy days, gas can be used, as another clean form of energy to compliment the green forms, at a much lower cost. Even FPL realizes this as a valuable solution, they are building a solar thermal power plant that will be the 2nd largest in the US, next to an existing gas fired plan to help compensate for the cloudy days.

The cost of natural gas has come back down and is going lower as they find more reserves here in the US. It is a great resource that the US can use to fight back oil costs in business and utilities, yet not many are willing to give up on coal. We shall see the reluctance when the Cap and Trade issues are announced in more details.

[Jason]

Do you know where FPL plans to build the the solar thermal plant?


IMO, having multiple forms of power generation at a single site is a win/win.  Aside from that, promoting end user power generation is the future.

[Overstreet]

.............. 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............

When the wind blows.  Wife drove by, twice,  the wind farm north of Indianapolis a couple of weeks aago and none of the blades were turning.  I noticed a few years ago visiting San Francisco that the wind farm there has some with turning blades, some that were not turning and some that had blades missing.

[kellypope]

Again, inefficient designs, Overstreet.

[buckethead]

On a recent flight from New Hampshire, I saw a wind farm of about 10 windmills. It was over either NH or MA. They need to make those state lines bigger so you can see them from the sky.

 It was a beautiful sight and all seemed to be working well. The terrain was hilly, so I presume they were all mounted atop those hills. A noreaster had just pushed through and the winds were about 12 -15 knots.

Solar/wind/wave. The technologies are coming. Natural gas will help us cross the chasm.

[cityimrov]

Wow, according to Times Union, we used up 3250 MW of electricity this morning.  Adding the numbers in this page http://www.jea.com/about/news/powerplants.asp the entire JEA system produces 2975 MW.   That means we've been importing power from other states!  We really need this plant!  

[Joe]

^ That's going to be an extreme anomaly because of the 20-year cold snap combined with all of Florida's inefficient electric heaters.

But yes, the new plant is needed regardless - especially with all the future growth still to come in the Southside and St Johns County.

[Jason]

Spot on Joe.  This cold weather is a bit of a fluke.


Any news on if construction has started on the new plant?

[mtraininjax]

According to Channel 4 tonight, coldest winter in 160 years or basically the history of Jax with 11 of 12 nights of below freezing weather. I hope it killed a few roaches and fleas.

[reednavy]

Any news on if construction has started on the new plant?

Yes it has. When driving down Philips and you pass under the large transmission, lines, look to the left(driving south) or right (driving north), you can see plenty of dirt moved and construction equipment.