California Energy Commission - 6 Aug 09

Prof. Robert B. Laughlin
Department of Physics
Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305

http://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/palmdale
(Copied 7 Dec 09)


City of Palmdale Hybrid Power Plant Project

Docket Number: 08-AFC-9
(Application For Certification)
Committee Overseeing This Case:
Jeffrey D. Byron, Commissioner
Presiding Member
Arthur H. Rosenfeld, Chairman
Associate Member
Hearing Officer: Paul Kramer

Key Dates

General Description of Project

The City of Palmdale proposes to construct, own, and operate the Palmdale Hybrid Power Project (PHPP or Project). The PHPP consists of a hybrid of natural gas-fired combined-cycle generating equipment integrated with solar thermal generating equipment to be developed on an approximately 377-acre site in the northern portions of the City of Palmdale. The combined-cycle equipment utilizes two natural gas-fired combustion turbine generators (CTG), two heat recovery steam generators (HRSG), and one steam turbine generator (STG). The solar thermal equipment utilizes arrays of parabolic collectors to heat a high-temperature working fluid. The hot working fluid is used to boil water to generate steam. The combined-cycle equipment is integrated thermally with the solar equipment at the HRSG and both utilize the single STG that is part of the Project.

The Project will have a nominal electrical output of 570 megawatts. If approved by the Energy Commission, commercial operation of the project is planned for the summer of 2013. The solar thermal input will provide approximately 10 percent of the peak power generated by the Project during the daily periods of highest energy demand. The Project will be fueled with natural gas delivered via a new natural gas pipeline. The Southern California Gas Company will design and construct the approximately 8.7-mile pipeline in existing street rights-of-way within the City of Palmdale.

The PHPP plant site is located south of East Avenue M (E Ave M) in the northernmost areas of the City of Palmdale. The 377-acre plant site is part of an approximately 600-acre city-owned property that is bounded by Sierra Highway to the west, East Ave M (Columbia Way) to the north, and U.S. Air Force Plant 42 on the south and east. Air Force Plant 42 is a government-owned contractor-operated facility for the production, engineering, final assembly and flight testing of high performance aircraft. Under a joint-use agreement with the U.S. Air Force, Los Angeles World Airport currently operates a passenger terminal on Air Force Plant 42 as LA/ Palmdale Regional Airport.


Energy Commission Facility Certification Process

The California Energy Commission is the lead agency (for licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts and larger) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has a certified regulatory program under CEQA. Under its certified program, the Energy Commission is exempt from having to prepare an environmental impact report. Its certified program, however, does require environmental analysis of the project, including an analysis of alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize any significant adverse effect the project may have on the environment.


For Questions About This Siting Case Contact:

Felicia Miller
Project Manager
Siting, Transmission and Environmental Protection Division
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-15
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-654-4640
E-mail: FMiller@energy.state.ca.us

For Questions About Participation In Siting Cases Contact:

Public Adviser
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-12 Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-654-4489
Toll-Free in California: 1-800-822-6228
E-mail: PublicAdviser@energy.state.ca.us

News Media Please Contact:

Media & Public Communications Office
Phone: 916-654-4989
E-mail: mediaoffice@energy.state.ca.us

Last Modified: 6 Aug 09