PowerSouth Energy Cooperative and Mitsubishi Power are celebrating the launch of operation at the newly constructed 693 megawatt (MW) Lowman Energy Center (LEC) which is located within Leroy, Alabama.
The LEC is scheduled to begin construction in 2020, will replace the 556MW now defunct Charles R. Lowman coal-fired power plant. In operation as of late September, the new facility is designed to accommodate the increasing energy demands of PowerSouth’s distribution customers located in Alabama as well as Northwest Florida using cleaner, more efficient natural gas technology.
The LEC is a state of the art combined-cycle power plant that produces enough power to power 300,000 homes each year. The 693 megawatt (MW) facility has Mitsubishi’s most sophisticated gas turbine that is air-cooled M501JAC. Its M501JAC gas turbine has outstanding performance, with a reduced startup time and long-term reliable performance. Mitsubishi Power will also provide maintenance and service for the turbine in an extended service contract.
“At its highest output at 693 megawatts, the LEC provides 693 megawatts of stable, all-hour power that can meet the demands of its distribution customers for a long time,” said PowerSouth President and CEO Gary Smith. “That ability is crucial to our long-term mission of affordability and reliability that are under threat by a frenzied push towards intermittent renewable power generation. LEC is essential for our ability to ensure that the lights are up .”
Since the LEC makes use of extra heat to heat water to power steam turbines it is possible to capture energy which would otherwise be wasted. This results in an efficient plant as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions.
“Technology in this field is rapidly changing however, we’re also on the cutting-edge of these advancements,” said Smith. “We’re pleased to be able to make use of the most efficient technology of Mitsubishi Power to support our members and the customers they serve. I am extremely proud of this initiative and the work we achieved together. .”
“The Lowman Energy Center is another example of how utilities and cooperatives alike are acknowledging the need for more advanced energy generation technologies that are cleaner and more efficient to meet the requirements of their customers and members,” said Bill Newsom the President and CEO of Mitsubishi Power Americas. “At Mitsubishi Power, we have the tools to help in this change and we are grateful to PowerSouth to have chosen us to participate in this significant project.” .”
LEC adds to PowerSouth’s collection of reliable generators that operate on natural gas. These include McIntosh Plant (McIntosh, Alabama), McIntosh Plant (McIntosh, Alabama), McWilliams, and Vann (both located in Gantt, Alabama).
More Information PowerSouth Energy Cooperative
PowerSouth is a transmission and generation cooperative that meets the energy needs of wholesale for 16 electric cooperatives as well as four municipal electric systems located in Alabama as well as northwest Florida. Collectively, the members supply electricity to homes industrial and commercial establishments in 38 Alabama as well as 10 Florida counties.
More Information Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc.
Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc. (Mitsubishi Power) is headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida, employs over 2,700 generators of power, storage for energy and digital solutions experts and specialists. Our staff members are committed to giving customers the ability to cost-effectively and effectively fight climate change while improving the lives of people across North, Central, and South America. Mitsubishi Power’s power generation options comprise steam, gas and aero-derivative turbines, power islands and power trains geothermal systems and PV solar projects development as well as environmental controls and other services. Energy storage solutions for energy storage include battery energy, green hydrogen, storage systems, as well as services. Mitsubishi Power also offers intelligent solutions that utilize artificial intelligence to facilitate an autonomous operation of power stations. Mitsubishi Power is a power solutions brand owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI). Based in Tokyo, Japan, MHI is among the most renowned heavy machinery makers with manufacturing and engineering services covering infrastructure, energy transportation, aerospace and defense. More information about MHI is available, go to this site. Mitsubishi Power Americas website.
The article PowerSouth, Mitsubishi Power open energy centers in Leroy was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
