High Bridge Power Plant Project
The Science Museum's neighbor, the Xcel Energy High Bridge power plant, will be undergoing a significant construction project in the coming months. As part of a larger project called Metro Emissions Reduction Project (MERP) Xcel Energy has started working on a $1 billion program that will reduce emissions from three metro area plants (the High Bridge Plant being one) and increase power generating capacity.
Generator: Working principle of a combined cycle power plant.Courtesy Alureiter
Xcel - Current: Existing High Bridge plant. Image courtsey Xcel Energy.
The High Bridge power plant is being converted from a coal burning plant to a combined-cycle natural gas plant. Combined power plants generate electricity from two sources - a gas turbine generator that is powered by natural gas and a steam turbine generator that is powered by the heat exhaust from the gas turbine generator. This use of the gas to essentially power two different types of generators is a more efficient use of resources than the coal burning power plant. As a result of this change, air emissions from the High Bridge power plant will be significantly reduced. Sulfur dioxide emissions will be reduced 99.7%, nitrogen oxide 96.9% and particulate matter 91.5%, while mercury pollution will be completely eliminated.
Xcel - New: High Bridge plant after construction is complete - artist's rendition courtsey Xcel Energy.
My first thought after hearing this (and after having to put gas in my car and heat my home the past few months) was that switching to natural gas is not a very economical situation given current gas prices. However, Xcel says that:
Although natural gas prices have increased, this conversion makes sense for the long term. The gas market is subject to short-term volatility, but the plants will operate for another 30 years so it's the long-term projections that are most important.
If you are in the downtown area in the coming weeks you may hear construction noise from the site as the nearly 1,200 steel pilings for the new power plant are driven into the ground for the new plant's footings. Testing of the new power plant will begin around September 2007 and run through March 2008. The plant is expected to begin commercial operation in May 2008, and demolition of the old plant will start shortly thereafter.
For more information visit Xcel Energy's web pages on the conversion.
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So does that mean they are getting rid of the tower? what about the peregrine falcons that live there??????????
That's a really good question. Up in the museum's Mississippi River Gallery we have a place where you can watch the peregrine falcons that nest up in a box on the large highbridge smokestack. I will see if I can get some information from Xcel about this.
It doesn't look like changes would affect the smokestack for a couple of years.
Here is what I found out from the state's documents on this transition.
From the "State Register Notice: Final Decision"
Emphasis and links added myself.
An article in the Highland Villager about this indicates that some are thinking that the land that becomes available when the current power plant is demolished could be turned into soccer fields.
How much will CO2 emissions be reduced by?
In other high bridge power plant news, MNSpeak has some links on the unintended consequences of the High Bridge plant's changes. Essentially the Rock-Tenn paper recycling facility in Saint Paul will need to find a new source for its energy and there really isn't any quick and easy option.
I heard that there may be soccer fields on some of the land as well as a community center. Does anyone know where i can get more information on this?
I would suggest you contact SoccerSpaces. I think it was one of their representatives that was asked about the possibility of using the site for soccer fields. My current understanding is that site clean up will take a while and must be done before the space can be used for any purpose. The Xcel Energy page on the construction may also provide some useful information.
More on the High Bridge Power Plant Conversion http://careers.ch2m.com/engineering-projects/highbridge.asp
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