Yes. The State’s 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap requires that electric utilities achieve 50% carbon-free energy by 2030, 75% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. For years PMLP, utilizing MMWEC’s leverage, has been adding carbon-free energy resources into our portfolio and our energy supply is currently 42% carbon-free. While we are committed to meeting the State requirements at minimum, we strive to achieve our targets as soon as possible as opportunities become available to do so in a cost-effective manner for our customers.
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The primary fuel source for the project will be natural gas, with ultra-low sulfur diesel used during the winter only when natural gas is unavailable. Because it does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2), using green hydrogen as a fuel source as the technology develops, is actively being pursued by MWMEC and the Project’s turbine manufacturer.
As a capacity resource, the Project is compensated (and through MMWEC the 14 participating MLPs are compensated) for its ability to "stand by" and be available during times of ISO- New England system stress when available generation is not able to satisfy electric demand. It is estimated that the Project will actually generate electricity for 239 hours per year or 2.73% of the time. There is a MA Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) permitted maximum annual operating limit of 1,250 hours per year, although it is not anticipated that the unit's run hours will approach this maximum limit.
The project will utilize best available control technology (including urea and a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system to minimize NOx emissions) and will be amongst the cleanest and most modern projects of its type. Pre-commercial operation air modeling has been conducted in strict accordance with all MA DEP regulations. Actual emissions will be monitored following commercial operation to ensure regulatory compliance. Additionally, the MA DEP has determined that Project 2015A is a Non-Major Source since the maximum potential emissions from the Project are well below the thresholds that would categorize the Project as a Major Source. When the capacity from the project is available, PMLP will begin the process of retiring our oldest generator (installed in 1971) which will have a net effect of improved air quality as explained in the Statement from PMLP Regarding Waters River Unit 1 (PDF).
The Project's SCR for controlling smog-producing NOx emissions and its ultra-high efficiency and heat rate for reducing greenhouse gas emissions result in a significant reduction in air emissions within the City of Peabody. A comparison of the emissions characteristics of the existing PMLP unit (Unit 1) that is being replaced and the new MMWEC unit associated with the project is as follows:
No. The State's 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap requires that electric utilities achieve 50% carbon-free energy by 2030, 75% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. For years PMLP, utilizing MMWEC's leverage, has been adding carbon-free energy resources into our portfolio and our energy supply is currently 42% carbon-free. While we are committed to meeting the State requirements at minimum, we strive to achieve our targets as soon as possible as opportunities become available to do so in a cost-effective manner for our customers.
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