The Sam Rayburn power generation facility, with a capacity of 215.2 MW, is ranked 1308th among the 10,047 power plants in the United States. As a natural gas facility, it holds the 726th position out of 1,883 gas plants nationwide, underscoring its significance in the regional energy landscape. Commissioned in 1998 and operated by South Texas Electric Coop Inc., Sam Rayburn plays a key role in supplying energy in an area dominated by gas generation. Within a 50 km radius, it is surrounded by other notable facilities, including the Coleto Creek coal plant with a capacity of 622.4 MW, and several gas plants such as the Victoria plant at 376.9 MW and the Union Carbide Seadrift Cogen at 168 MW. Together, these plants form a robust energy cluster, with Sam Rayburn contributing a small but crucial 0.02% to the national capacity of 1,386,385 MW. The U.S. energy profile is heavily tilted towards gas, which is the dominant fuel type, making Sam Rayburn's operation essential in maintaining grid stability in a region reliant on fossil fuels. As the energy landscape shifts towards renewable sources, the role of facilities like Sam Rayburn will be vital in transitioning towards a more balanced energy portfolio while ensuring reliable electricity supply.
28 years old
United States of America, North America
- Primary Fuel Type
- Gas
- Energy Source
- Non-Renewable
- Country
United States of America- Continent
- North America
- Data Source
- Global Power Plant Database
United States of America — Energy ProfileGas 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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