by S. M. Smoller
The EEA Office of Energy Transformation recently launched an effort to plan for the decarbonization of peaker plants. As the state transitions to an electrified energy and transportation system powered by renewables, how do we avoid becoming more reliant on peakers instead of less? Hence, the focus on Decarbonizing the Peak.
What could that mean for Peabody and its 3 peaker power plants in Ward 3? Will the Peabody peakers be used more often as the state transitions and what is required to decarbonize them?
In 1971, Gen 1, an oil-fired gas turbine aircraft type 20 MW generator was built at the Waters River station by PMLP. It was changed to gas and oil before PMLP and ISO-NE de-listed it from the ISO’s Capacity Market in March 2022. The reason: “In addition to less CO2 emissions, the biggest health benefit of taking Unit 1 out of service is lowering NOx emissions in and around Peabody by approximately 70%.” It will close in 2026.
Statement-from-PMLP-Regarding-Waters-River-Unit-1-PDF https://pmlp.com/DocumentCenter/View/131/Statement-from-PMLP-Regarding-Waters-River-Unit-1-PDF?bidId=
Will we maintain our link to the grid (grid tie) so as to be able to use it to bring offshore wind onto the grid or brought back into service when a dirty peaker plant is converted to renewable energy and/or storage facilities? Is there a cost to maintain grid tie?
The second peaker at the Waters River station is a 33 year old second dual fuel (gas and oil) generator with a power output of 48MW, Gen 2. The noise control for the new peaker was performed on Gen 2, as required by the DEP.
Completed in 2024,the 60 MW MMWEC Gen was first proposed in 2015. It will burn gas,oil and hydrogen.
With the planned closing of the city’s oldest generator, the new, more efficient MMWEC Gen will be called on in lieu of Gen 1. How much will the new MMWEC Gen be called upon, in lieu of older plants in the state in addition to Gen 1, due to its improved efficiency?
What are the plans to decarbonize the 33-year old Gen 2?
The site’s new $75 million MMWEC Generator is operational but no confirmation is available that it is running. We cannot get an answer to our question of what the plant is burning but perhaps they’ll let us know more about the plans involving new technology that burns hydrogen and hydrogen blends. Are there plans to decarbonize the MMWEC Gen?
Once the plants are no longer running, what will be established in their place? The City’s Open Space Master Plan does not address the city-owned parcels on Pulaski Street. Since the area has been rezoned and several housing developments are planned in the vicinity, will there be trees planted to enhance life for residents. Perhaps that space could provide public access to the Waters River? Recreation & Open Space Draft Plan Community Meeting, BCNS, @ 49:48. https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo…
No Coal No Gas advocates found that “in case after case across New England, the retirement of fossil fuel peaker plants will free up valuable infrastructure that allows electricity to flow into the grid.
“These “grid ties” aren’t being used and we need them, whether they are put to use to bring offshore wind onto the grid or brought back into service when a dirty peaker plant is converted to renewable energy and/or storage facilities. We have some playful ideas to share about how we might make these obvious opportunities simply undeniable to all, including grid honchos. Finally, we’ll discuss and try out a fun but realistic exercise in which we can collectively act as a concerted economic and, literally electric, force on the grid, in a small but scalable way that has the potential to reduce or shut down peaker plants. Exciting indeed!” https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=8fc6936de557d83cJmltdHM9MTcyODM0NTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0wNjIzYjcyYi0wOWIyLTZiNDktMWZlZi1hNDQzMDg2MTZhZTYmaW5zaWQ9NTE4NQ&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=0623b72b-09b2-6b49-1fef-a44308616ae6&psq=NO+COOAL+NO+GAAS&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubm9jb2Fsbm9nYXMub3JnLyM6fjp0ZXh0PU5vIENvYWwsIE5vIEdhcy4gV0UgU0hVVCBET1dOIFRIRQ&ntb=1
Photo of How to Decarbonize the Peak?
Sept. 2022 – Die-in at Danversport Bridge – BCNS, 350 Ma, MCAN
