On February 7, 2010, an explosion occurred at the 640 MW Combined Cycle Electric Generating Facility, Kleen Energy Plant, in Middletown, Connecticut. Lives have been lost, and it is a tragedy that so many others, including local residents, are affected in a major way.
The event happened, apparently, while gas lines were being purged, probably in preparation for a start-up test of the huge turbines. These turbines create the intense heat source for steam generators, which provide the electrical power. To avoid expensive downtime in the event there is a loss of the natural gas supply, these turbines are able to fall back on the use of oil,making their design more complex.
The Kleen Energy Plant is a project of O & G, who have been around since 1923, and is detailed on their website here, for readers who may be interested in additional technical details.
In many ways, this tragedy is a reminder that clean efficient energy does not come without risks. No doubt the plant, that was still under construction, is more complex that a conventional facility, in order to limit carbon dioxide emissions. In fact, there is so much focus on limiting CO2 output these days, that cost and complexity increase, and probably efficiency is reduced from what could have been achieved.
There is an interesting article, originally published in ProjectFInance, on the investment and cost structure for the power plant, and how the State of Connecticut is obligated to reimburse for any difference between the market price and strike price of electricity. Another fact is that 80% of the Kleen Energy plant is owned by Energy Investors Funds of Massachusetts, who are strong proponents of global climate change, and no doubt stand to benefit more from the trading of carbon offsets, as compared to profit from the generation of electricity.
This is another fishy aspect of the call for clean energy that shouts "conflict of interest", and does not sit well with many people, including this blogger.
Well, I guess it will be quite a while longer before anyone can benefit either financially or energy-wise from the Kleen Energy Plant in Middletown, CT. When or will it ever be completed, is another story yet to play out.
© 2010 Advocates for Responsible Energy Consumption
