The Dresden Energy Facility 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 678.3 MW. Its primary operation relies on harnessing gas energy resources to generate bulk electricity. Operational management and ownership of the facility are handled by the Appalachian Power Co, which oversees daily maintenance and grid dispatch integration. The facility was officially connected to the commercial grid in 2012, 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, Dresden Energy Facility occupies the #314 position among all operational gas power plants. Its 678.3 MW capacity represents a 0.11% 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 Dresden Energy Facility approximately 6.3 times smaller by comparison. Across all fuel types and electricity generation technologies country-wide, this facility accounts for 0.0489% 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 2,376,763 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 216,069 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 40.0928° latitude and -82.0276° longitude. Analysis of local grid infrastructure shows a density of other assets within a 50-kilometer radius. These nearby facilities include the Conesville (coal-fired, 841.5 MW), the Suburban Landfill Gas Recovery (waste-to-energy, 5.6 MW), the Progress Drive Generation Station (oil-fired, 3.6 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.
14 years old
United States of America, North America
Location
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
Dresden Energy Facility: A Key Player in Natural Gas Power Generation in the USA
The Dresden Energy Facility, located in the United States, is a significant natural gas power plant with a total capacity of 678.3 megawatts (MW). Owned by Appalachian Power Co, this facility was commissioned in 2012 and plays a crucial role in the energy landscape of the region and the broader national grid. As a modern gas-fired power plant, Dresden utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel source, which has become increasingly popular due to its efficiency and lower carbon emissions compared to traditional coal-fired power generation.
Natural gas is a fossil fuel consisting mainly of methane, which can be burned to generate electricity. The Dresden Energy Facility employs advanced combined cycle technology, allowing it to produce more electricity from the same amount of natural gas by capturing waste heat from gas turbines to produce steam and drive steam turbines. This process not only enhances the overall efficiency of the plant but also contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option within the fossil fuel sector.
In the context of the United States' energy sector, the Dresden Energy Facility contributes to the nation's growing reliance on natural gas as a cleaner alternative to coal. This shift is reflected in the overall decrease in coal production and the increasing adoption of gas-fired plants, which align with federal and state initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change. The facility also supports grid stability by providing flexible power generation that can respond quickly to fluctuations in electricity demand, a crucial factor in maintaining a reliable energy supply.
From an environmental perspective, while natural gas combustion does emit greenhouse gases, it produces significantly lower emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter compared to coal. This reduction helps mitigate air quality issues and contributes to the overall improvement of environmental health in the surrounding areas. However, the extraction and transportation of natural gas, particularly through hydraulic fracturing (fracking), raise concerns about potential groundwater contamination and methane leaks, which are potent greenhouse gases that can undermine the climate benefits of natural gas.
Regionally, the Dresden Energy Facility serves as an essential energy source for local communities, providing electricity to a wide customer base. It plays a vital role in supporting economic growth and ensuring energy security in the Appalachian region, where energy demands are continually evolving. Additionally, the facility's modern infrastructure and operational efficiencies position it well within the competitive landscape of energy production, ensuring that it can adapt to changing market conditions and regulatory frameworks.
Overall, the Dresden Energy Facility stands out as a key component of the United States' transition toward a more sustainable energy future, leveraging natural gas to provide reliable power while addressing environmental concerns. Its operation is emblematic of broader trends in the energy sector, where innovation and environmental stewardship are increasingly intertwined.
United States of America — Energy Profile
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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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