201812.06
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Here’s what’s happening at the coastal power plant nearest you

by in News

Change is afoot for all seven coastal power plants in Orange and Los Angeles counties, thanks to a change in state policy governing the plants and a move by plant operators to more efficient electricity-producing units.

Ocean-cooled engines are being phased out, with the new units using air-cooled technology. New, upgraded operations are generally smaller than those they’re replacing — including shorter stacks — and one plant is closing down entirely.

Read Coastal power plants get dramatic upgrades, but how do they fit with California’s renewable energy future? 

The remaining plants will have at least two units each. Most units have one stack, but some share a stack and some have two stacks.

Here’s what’s happening at each plant.

The old, left, and new, right, portions of the AES Huntington Beach natural gas power plant are reflected in the Huntington Beach Wetlands off Magnolia Street in Huntington Beach, CA on Monday, December 3, 2018. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

AES Huntington Beach

Ocean-cooled units: 2 stacks, 214′ each. Offline by end of 2020, demolition 2026.

Air-cooled units: 2 stacks, 150′ each. Online by end of 2020. There is a possibility of a second phase with two 80′ stacks if a buyer for more electricity emerges.

Haynes Generating Station in Long Beach. (Courtesy of L.A. Dept. of Water and Power)

Haynes Generating Station, Long Beach (L.A. Dept. of Water and Power)

Ocean-cooled units: 10 stacks, 140′ to 240′. 6 stacks now offline with demolition by end of 2021. 4 other stacks to be offline in 2029, demolition TBD.

Air-cooled units: 6 stacks, 150′ each, online 2013.

AES Alamitos Generating Station, Long Beach. (SCNG file photo)

AES Alamitos, Long Beach

Ocean-cooled units: 6 stacks, 206′ to 216′. Offline by end of 2020, demolition 2024.

Air-cooled units: 2 stacks, 150′ each. Online by end of 2020. There is a possibility of a second phase with two 80′ stacks if a buyer for more electricity emerges.

Harbor Generating Station in Wilmington. (Courtesy L.A. Dept. of Water and Power)

Harbor Generating Station, Wilmington (L.A. Dept. of Water and Power)

Ocean-cooled units: 2 stacks, 162′ each. Offline by end of 2029, demolition TBD.

Air-cooled units: 5 stacks, 105′ each. Online 2002.

AES power plant in Redondo Beach. (2015, Chuck Bennett/Daily Breeze/SCNG)

AES Redondo Beach

Ocean-cooled units: 5 stacks, 206′ to 216′. Offline by end of 2020. Plant to be closed, demolition TBD.

NRG El Segundo Energy Center. (2013, Photo by Brad Graverson/The Daily Breeze/SCNG)

El Segundo Energy Center (NRG/ Clearway Energy)

Ocean-cooled units: 2 stacks, 215′ each. Offline, demolition complete.

Air-cooled units: 2 stacks, 210′. Online 2013.

Scattergood Generating Station, Playa del Rey. (May 2016, SNG/Daily Breeze photo)

Scattergood Generating Station, Playa del Rey (L.A. Dept. of Water and Power)

Ocean-cooled units: 1 stack, 334′. Offline by end of 2024, demolition TBD. Another 334′ stack taken offline in 2015, demolished in 2017.

Air-cooled units: 3 stacks, 100′ to 213′. Online 2015.