small Utah coal town embracing clean energy, keeping jobs and local economy intact

[butters]

Small coal town shocks experts by building first-of-its-kind plant

A tiny Utah coal town is transforming into a clean energy leader as America's first hydrogen-capable power plant nears completion, per a recent article in Utility Dive. The Intermountain Power Project in Delta, Utah, is showing how communities can successfully transition from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives.

Construction workers have recently started putting the finishing touches on two advanced gas turbines designed to eventually run on 100 percent carbon-free hydrogen, Utility Dive reported. The new plant will employ innovative technology that addresses the dual challenges of providing reliable electricity while also cutting pollution.

Delta's successful transition will also keep jobs local in a town of just 3,800 people. Unlike many communities that face economic hardship when coal plants close, Delta will be able to maintain its tax base, public services, and employment opportunities through this innovative project. The community benefits from continued energy jobs while gaining expertise in cutting-edge hydrogen technology.

nice one

 

[Buffalogurl]

So, where is all of the hydrogen coming from?

 

[Politruk]

So, where is all of the hydrogen coming from?

Water, presumably.

 

[Fuzzy1975]

So, where is all of the hydrogen coming from?

From the coal I would think

 

[Fuzzy1975]

Water, presumably.

Electrolysis of water to hydrogen is expensive and very inefficient currently.

 

[butters]

So, where is all of the hydrogen coming from?

​

Making hydrogen in coal country​

Although slated to open this year, Delta’s Intermountain Power Project likely won’t reach its goal of running on 100% carbon-free hydrogen until 2045. The plant plans to blend 30% hydrogen and 70% natural gas upon opening, because sufficient hydrogen fuel needed to reach 100% doesn’t currently exist, according to John Ward, a spokesman for the project.

Mitsubishi, which the IPP initially tapped to provide both of the turbines for the gas units, plans to help fill that gap. On the other side of the highway from the IPP facility, Mitsubishi has set up an independent, 220 MW electrolysis facility they call the Advanced Clean Energy Storage, or ACES, Delta to produce the hydrogen.

Surplus renewable energy from LA, delivered via the same power lines that IPP has used to provide power to California all these years, will drive the electrolyzers that split water into its component parts of hydrogen and oxygen. Chevron entered the project as a partner in 2023 when it purchased a series of underground storage facilities owned by Magnum Development. Chevron will store the hydrogen — until it is ready for use by IPP or sold to potential third-party customers — in two salt caverns also under construction in Delta.

The salt caverns, additions to the existing Magnum facility that stores other types of fuel underground, have the potential to store 300 GWh of electricity. This is something of a happy coincidence, Ward said. Nobody intended to build the IPP atop a huge underground salt deposit; developers discovered it later while prospecting for oil.

Even with all the pieces that have fallen into place, the IPP still requires significant transmission upgrades, including the installation of three 400 MVA synchronous condensers by Siemens Energy to help balance the grid.

 

[Fuzzy1975]

​

Making hydrogen in coal country​

"Mitsubishi, which the IPP initially tapped to provide both of the turbines for the gas units, plans to help fill that gap. On the other side of the highway from the IPP facility, Mitsubishi has set up an independent, 220 MW electrolysis facility they call the Advanced Clean Energy Storage, or ACES, Delta to produce the hydrogen."

Very interesting, Having made and played with a 12 volt electrolysis "device" I know it's not hard to make water "bubble" and convert to hydrogen and oxygen. But the cost of doing so!!

I'd be really interested in the technology. From my memory to make a cubic meter of gas was about $7.00 of electricity @ .08 cents per kilowatt.

The efficiency was not even 60%.

 

[butters]

"Mitsubishi, which the IPP initially tapped to provide both of the turbines for the gas units, plans to help fill that gap. On the other side of the highway from the IPP facility, Mitsubishi has set up an independent, 220 MW electrolysis facility they call the Advanced Clean Energy Storage, or ACES, Delta to produce the hydrogen."

Very interesting, Having made and played with a 12 volt electrolysis "device" I know it's not hard to make water "bubble" and convert to hydrogen and oxygen. But the cost of doing so!!

I'd be really interested in the technology. From my memory to make a cubic meter of gas was about $7.00 of electricity @ .08 cents per kilowatt.

The efficiency was not even 60%.

well, I'm guessing there is a financial gain for them, even if it's a deferred one, by taking the lead in this technology. The more they work with it, like anything, the more a process gets refined and costs come down. This stuff is way over my head without looking into it in depth, and I am not motivated to do that right this minute.

 

[Fuzzy1975]

well, I'm guessing there is a financial gain for them, even if it's a deferred one, by taking the lead in this technology. The more they work with it, like anything, the more a process gets refined and costs come down. This stuff is way over my head without looking into it in depth, and I am not motivated to do that right this minute.

Well if you ever want to play, all you need is a 12 volt car battery ( don't worry it won't electrocute you), two pieces of wire, two pieces of stainless steel and a clear container to put water in. Connect each rod to a wire, make sure the two rods can't touch in the water, connect one wire to the positive terminal, the other to the negative, give it ten minutes (or less) and you'll see the bubbles form....don't smoke and don't make sparks....lol

 

[Lance_Castro]

So, where is all of the hydrogen coming from?

Butters’ ass.

 

[Chernosoth]

Big city size coal plants take days to warm up to the electricity demands of peak hours. Off peak, they can't just cool down. The excess electricity must be put somewhere, such as pumping water uphill. Later the water is allowed to flow downhill to make hydroelectricity. Electrolysing hydrogen is another way to use that excess, with an efficiency loss, and that's the best we can do with hydrogen. It will never be a replacement for fossil fuels.

 

[Fuzzy1975]

Big city size coal plants take days to warm up to the electricity demands of peak hours. Off peak, they can't just cool down.

Not true, from cool idle to production is about 30 mins. They use diesel fuel to get up to temp. Cool down comes from the coolant water, takes about 5 mins or so. The generators are not direct drive from the steam turbines, so Electricity stops instantly. You're such a fucking idiot.

 

[Chernosoth]

https://www.pbssocal.org/redefine/explainer-base-load-and-peaking-power

 

[Fuzzy1975]

https://www.pbssocal.org/redefine/explainer-base-load-and-peaking-power

lmfao....Base load and peaking....TFF you're not talking about the types of loads defined by NERCs dumbass. You were making claims about how a Coal Generation station works....

Thanks for the goal post move and doubling down on your stupid....