World Power PlantsWorld Power Plants

CPV Valley Energy Center770 MW Natural Gas

Gas

The CPV Valley Energy Center is a key infrastructure asset in United States of America's power generation grid, located on the continent of North America. Designated as a fossil fuel electricity generation station, the facility features an installed capacity of 770 MW. Its primary operation relies on harnessing gas energy resources to generate bulk electricity. To ensure flexibility and reliability, the station is also configured to utilize oil as an auxiliary or secondary fuel source. Operational management and ownership of the facility are handled by the CPV Valley LLC, which oversees daily maintenance and grid dispatch integration. The facility was officially connected to the commercial grid in 2018, since which it has maintained regular output, playing a structured role in domestic power supply security. In terms of domestic production capacity within United States of America, CPV Valley Energy Center occupies the #250 position among all operational gas power plants. Its 770 MW capacity represents a 0.13% share of United States of America's total installed gas generating capacity, which currently stands at 592,647 MW. The largest operational gas installation in United States of America is the West County Energy Center with an output of 4,263 MW, making the CPV Valley Energy Center approximately 5.5 times smaller by comparison. Across all fuel types and electricity generation technologies country-wide, this facility accounts for 0.0555% of United States of America's aggregate generation capacity of 1,386,385 MW. Based on historical capacity factors characteristic of gas power plants (modeled at 40% for analysis), the facility's expected annual electricity generation is calculated at approximately 2,698,080 MWh. Applying domestic consumption statistics where an average household in United States of America consumes 11 MWh of electricity annually, this level of production is sufficient to meet the energy demands of roughly 245,280 homes. By utilizing traditional thermal power processes, the station delivers reliable dispatchable energy to the grid, supporting grid resilience during periods of low renewable resource availability and satisfying industrial base-load demands. The physical site of the station is located at geographic coordinates 41.4122° latitude and -74.4378° longitude. Analysis of local grid infrastructure shows a density of other assets within a 50-kilometer radius. These nearby facilities include the Hillburn (gas-fired, 46.5 MW), the Shoemaker (gas-fired, 41.9 MW), the Neversink (hydroelectric, 25 MW), representing a cluster of localized power assets. This geographic placement is vital for reinforcing regional distribution infrastructure and minimizing transmission line losses across this sector of United States of America.

Capacity
770 MW
Commissioning Year
2018

8 years old

Owner
CPV Valley LLC
Location
41.4122°, -74.4378°

United States of America, North America

Location

Coordinates:: 41.412200, -74.437800
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint490 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
1.49 Mt
3035 GWh/year × 490 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
11.90 Mt
Over 8 years of operation
Est. Retirement
2048
22 years remaining
Annual emissions equivalent to
323.3K
cars per year
198.3K
homes per year
67.6M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Gas emission factor (490 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (45%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Gas
Energy Source
Non-Renewable
Country
United States of America
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

Overview of CPV Valley Energy Center: A Key Player in the USA's Energy Landscape

The CPV Valley Energy Center is a natural gas-fired power plant located in the United States with a generation capacity of 770 megawatts (MW). Commissioned in 2018, the plant is owned by CPV Valley LLC and plays a crucial role in the energy sector of the country, particularly in supporting the transition toward cleaner energy sources. This facility exemplifies modern energy generation technologies, utilizing natural gas as its primary fuel, which is known for its efficiency and lower emissions compared to traditional coal-fired power generation.

Natural gas, as a fuel type, is primarily composed of methane and is extracted from underground reservoirs. The CPV Valley Energy Center employs advanced combined cycle technology, which enhances its efficiency by utilizing both gas and steam turbines. In this process, the hot gases produced from burning natural gas are used to drive a gas turbine, and the waste heat is then captured to produce steam that drives a steam turbine. This dual-use of energy significantly increases the overall efficiency of the plant, often exceeding 60%, compared to conventional power plants.

In terms of environmental impact, the CPV Valley Energy Center is designed to operate with a lower carbon footprint compared to older fossil fuel-based power plants. Natural gas burns cleaner than coal and oil, producing significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. This shift towards natural gas is seen as a crucial step in the United States' efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. However, it is important to acknowledge the environmental concerns surrounding natural gas extraction, particularly hydraulic fracturing (fracking), which can pose risks to water resources and local ecosystems.

Regionally, the CPV Valley Energy Center serves as a significant asset for the local grid, providing reliable power to meet the demand of nearby communities and businesses. By contributing to the stabilization of the energy supply, the plant supports economic growth and energy security in the region. Furthermore, it plays a strategic role in balancing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which are increasingly being integrated into the energy mix. The ability of the CPV Valley Energy Center to ramp up production quickly makes it an essential component in maintaining grid reliability during periods of fluctuating energy supply.

In summary, the CPV Valley Energy Center stands as a modern example of natural gas technology in the United States, contributing significantly to the country's energy landscape by providing efficient, cleaner energy while supporting regional energy needs and economic growth.

United States of AmericaEnergy Profile

10,047
Total Plants
1386.4 GW
Total Capacity
GasCoalNuclearHydro
Top Fuels

Gas Power Generation: An Overview of Its Mechanisms, Benefits, and Future Prospects

Gas power generation is a significant component of the global energy landscape, characterized by the use of natural gas to produce electricity. This process typically involves either gas turbines or combined cycle gas plants. In a gas turbine, compressed air is mixed with natural gas and ignited, producing high-temperature exhaust gases that spin a turbine connected to a generator. Combined cycle plants enhance efficiency by utilizing both gas and steam turbines. After the gas turbine generates electricity, the waste heat is used to produce steam, which drives a steam turbine, thereby maximizing energy extraction from the fuel.

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