Frequently Asked Questions

Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) and Southern Company, along with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), are building an advanced coal-fired electric power plant at the Curtis H. Stanton Energy Center. This new generation technology is unique because of its efficiency, cost effectiveness and environmentally superior use of certain types of coal that make up half the world's proven reserves. This project will help ensure that these abundant coal reserves can provide the clean, affordable energy that is needed to build a better, cleaner future.

Following is information about the project and its technology.

WHAT IS IT?
The project will demonstrate advanced power generation systems using Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology by constructing new facilities at the existing Stanton Energy Center. The facilities will convert coal into synthesis gas for generating electricity while substantially reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and mercury, as compared to conventional coal-fired power plants.

IGCC technology uses synthesis gas derived from coal to drive a gas combustion turbine and hot exhaust gas from the gas turbine to generate steam from water to drive a steam turbine; both turbines generate electricity. At full capacity, the new coal gasifier will use about 137 tons of coal per hour to produce synthesis gas. Combined, the two turbines will generate about 285 MW (megawatts) (net) of electricity. This combined-cycle approach of using a gas turbine and steam turbine in tandem increases the amount of electricity that can be generated from a given amount of coal.

WHERE WOULD IT BE LOCATED?
The project will be located at Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC's) existing Stanton Energy Center near Orlando, Florida, which currently generates electricity using two coal-fired units, each rated at about 465 MW, and a natural gas-fired combined-cycle unit rated at about 633 MW. The Stanton Energy Center is about 13 miles east-southeast of Orlando’s downtown area. The project will be constructed on about 35 of the 1,100 acres of land that were previously cleared, leveled and licensed for power plant use. The project equipment will be located between the existing coal-fired units and the existing natural gas-fired combined-cycle unit.

WHO IS INVOLVED?
The project is proposed by Southern Company in partnership with OUC, whose Stanton Energy Center will host the project. Another team member is KBR, the company responsible for engineering and procurement of the gasification equipment. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) also is involved because the gasifier portion of the project has been selected for cost-shared funding by DOE under the Clean Coal Power Initiative (CCPI) program.

WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?
To operationally demonstrate the gasifier systems within the IGCC technology at a sufficient size to prove that the technology is efficient, economical, reliable and environmentally acceptable such that utilities throughout the United States would seriously consider constructing and operating similar facilities commercially.

To provide reliable and economical power service to OUC’s existing and future customers.

WHEN WOULD IT BE BUILT AND OPERATED?
Construction will begin in 2007; operation of the combined cycle unit is planned for late 2009; and operation of the Orlando Gasification Project is planned for mid-2010. After the demonstration project is completed, it is expected the facility will continue in long-term operation.

HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST?
The gasification project is valued at $844 million, including permitting, design, construction, startup and 4 1/2 years of operation, maintenance and evaluation expense. The DOE will contribute $294 million with the remaining $550 million being contributed by OUC and Southern Company.

WHAT NEW EQUIPMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED?
New equipment for the project will include a gasifier, gas and steam turbines, a 205-foot stack, mechanical draft cooling towers, synthesis gas cleanup facilities and particulate filtration systems. Wherever possible, existing facilities and infrastructure located at the Stanton Energy Center will be used. These include plant roads, administration buildings, coal delivery and handling facilities, water and wastewater treatment systems, and solid waste disposal facilities.  A new 3,500-ft onsite transmission line will be constructed from the IGCC to the existing onsite substation to serve as an electrical interconnection.

WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE GOALS?
The project is expected to remove up to 95 percent of the sulfur dioxide produced in the IGCC process using coal that contains up to 0.4 percent sulfur. The removal of nearly all of the fuel-bound nitrogen from the synthesis gas prior to combustion in the gas turbine will result in appreciably lower oxides of nitrogen emissions compared to conventional coal-fired power plants. Over 90 percent of mercury and more than 99.9 percent of particulate emissions will be removed. About 25 percent less carbon dioxide will be produced compared to typical emission rates at conventional coal-fired power plants. The project will discharge no liquid effluent from the site. Ash generated by the gasifier will be combusted in the existing coal-fired units, marketed for use as activated carbon or trucked to the existing onsite landfill for permitted disposal.