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Revision as of 16:41, 28 March 2014 by Lesliesopko (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Austin Energy is the United State’s 8th largest publicly owned utility, providing electrical power to more than 420,000 customers and a population of almost one million within a service territory of approximately 437-square miles, including Austin, Texas, Travis County and a small portion of Williamson County. Austin Energy has been providing electric service to customers since 1895.
Austin Energy is a department of the City of Austin. The Austin City Council sets Austin Energy’s policies and strategic direction. Austin Energy returns profits to the community annually to help fund other City services (police, fire, EMS, parks, libraries). Since 2010, Austin Energy’s contributions have totaled more than $100 million each year.
Powering the Community
Austin Energy’s total generation is nearly 3,000 megawatts (MW). The service area is powered through a diverse generation mix of wind power, solar power, biomass, natural gas, nuclear, and coal. Austin Energy has a goal to achieve 35% of its energy supply from renewable resources by 2020, including 200 MW of solar with 100 MW installed locally. As of January 2014, Austin Energy's renewable portfolio is at about 25%. Additionally, Austin Energy has a goal to reduce carbon emissions 20% below 2005 levels by 2020. Austin Energy is considering options for reducing the output of the coal-fired Fayette Power Project to meet carbon reduction goals.
Saving Money and the Environment
The Austin Energy energy efficiency program includes a portfolio of energy efficiency offerings for both homeowners and businesses. The program includes a free online Energy Audit that gives consumers feedback on their energy consumption and helps identify ways they can save on utility bills, among other features. Multiple rebates are also available to both residential and commercial customers to help pay for efficiency improvements in homes and office buildings. In 1990, Austin Energy developed the nation's first Green Building program — Austin Energy Green Building. It shares the distinction of being the largest and best established green building program in the country along with Built Green Colorado in Denver. Between 1982 and 2006, Austin Energy achieved its first conservation power plant of 700 megawatts. Austin Energy plans to offset an additional 800 megawatts through energy efficiency between 2007 and 2020.
Supporting Emerging Technologies
Austin Energy is actively involved in the research and development of electric vehicles and public charging stations. Austin Energy has built a Plug-In EVerywhere™ network of 113 publicly accessible plug-in electric vehicle charging stations located on 57 sites throughout the utility’s service territory. Home charging station rebates are offered to Austin Energy’s plug-in electric vehicle customers.
Generation Assets
Austin Energy owns and operates two natural gas-fired power plants in Austin: the Decker Creek Power Station and the Sand Hill Energy Center. The utility also owns 50% of units 1 and 2 at the coal-fired Fayette Power Project in LaGrange, Texas. Additionally, Austin Energy owns 16% of the South Texas Project in Matagorda County outside of Houston.
| Unit | Fuel | Capacity (MW) | Install Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette Power Project (50% Share) | Coal | 602 | 1979 & 1980 |
| South Texas Project (16% Share) | Nuclear | 436 | 1988 & 1989 |
| Decker Creek Power Station | Gas | 927 | 1970- 1988 |
| Sand Hill Energy Center | Gas | 570 | 2001-2010 |
| Robert Mueller Energy Center | Gas | 4.6 | 2006 |
| Renewable Resources | Fuel Type | Installed Capacity (MW) | First Operation Year | Power Purchase Expiration Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Farms | Landfill Methane | 4 | 1996 | 2021 |
| Tessman Road Landfill | Landfill Methane | 7.8 | 2003 | 2017 |
| Nacogdoches Power | Biomass | 100 | 2012 | 2032 |
| Webberville Solar Project | Solar | 30 | 2011 | 2036 |
| Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Texas Wind Contract | Wind | 10 | 1995 | 2020 |
| Sweetwater Wind Farm 2 | Wind | 91.5 | 2005 | 2017 |
| Sweetwater Wind Farm 3 | Wind | 34.5 | 2006 | 2017 |
| Whirlwind Energy Center | Wind | 59.8 | 2007 | 2027 |
| Hackberry Wind Project | Wind | 165.6 | 2008 | 2023 |
| Iberdola Penascal I & II | Wind | 195.6 | 2011 | 2015 |
| Los Vientos II | Wind | 201.6 | 2013 | 2037 |
| Whitetail | Wind | 92.3 | 2013 | 2037 |
| TOTAL RENEWABLES | 992.7 MW |
References
- http://austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Company%20Profile/index.htm
- http://austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Company%20Profile/index.htm
- http://austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Company%20Profile/powerPlants.htm
- http://austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Newsroom/Reports/generationPlanUpdate.pdf
- http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=pt_univ.eeps_sites_austin
- http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/about.htm
- http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy02osti/32390.pdf
- http://austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Newsroom/Reports/EnergyEfficiency800MWGoalReport.pdf
- http://www.austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Company%20Profile/dataLibrary/pdfs/EES/EES-electricVehicles.pdf
- http://austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Company%20Profile/powerPlants.htm
- http://www.austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Company%20Profile/dataLibrary/pdfs/PS/PS-renewableResources.pdf