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Iowa State University46 MW Coal

Coal

Iowa State University is a 46 MW coal-fired power plant in the United States, operated by Iowa State University since 1982. Ranked #267 of 297 coal plants in the United States. Its 46 MW represents 0.02% of the total coal capacity of 261,836 MW in the country. The largest coal plant in the United States is W A Parish at 4,008 MW, making Iowa State University 87 times smaller. Nearby plants within 50 km include Sycamore (157.6 MW, Gas) and FPL Energy Story Wind LLC (150 MW, Wind). The facility is located in Iowa, approximately 50 km from Des Moines.

Capacity
46 MW
Commissioning Year
1982

44 years old

Owner
Iowa State University
Location
42.0275°, -93.6394°

United States of America, North America

Location

Coordinates:: 42.027500, -93.639400
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Carbon Footprint820 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
181.7 Kt
222 GWh/year × 820 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
8.00 Mt
Over 44 years of operation
Past Retirement
2022
4 years past expected retirement
Annual emissions equivalent to
39.5K
cars per year
24.2K
homes per year
8.3M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Coal emission factor (820 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (55%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

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

United States of AmericaEnergy Profile

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

Understanding Coal as a Power Generation Energy Source

Coal has long been a cornerstone of electricity generation worldwide, with a significant presence in the global energy landscape. As of recent data, there are approximately 2,608 coal power plants operating across 74 countries, boasting a total installed capacity of 2,257.3 gigawatts (GW). The leading nations in coal power generation include China, with 1,018 plants generating 1,038.0 GW, India with 287 plants at 253.3 GW, and the United States with 291 plants producing 252.0 GW. Other notable contributors include Germany and Japan, with 130 plants and 76.8 GW, and 61 plants and 63.9 GW, respectively. This widespread utilization reflects the essential role coal has played in the development of industrial and residential power systems globally.

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