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Austin Energy is the public utility providing electrical power service to a 421-square-mile (1,090 km) area including Austin, Texas and parts of the surrounding area in Travis and Williamson counties. It has been owned by the City of Austin since its inception in 1893.
Power plants
- Holly Street Power Plant — Constructed 1960-1974, the Holly Street plant was designed to run on natural gas, with fuel oil as an alternative. At its peak, Holly produced up to 558 megawatts. Its location in a residential neighborhood resulted in considerable pressure to retire the plant, which occurred in 2007. The plant was decommissioned in September of 2007 and will be deconstructed in the summer of 2010.
- Decker Creek Power Station — Constructed 1967-1978, the Decker Creek plant was designed to run on natural gas, with fuel oil as an alternative. The Decker Creek Power Station has an output of 926 megawatts.
- Sand Hill Energy Center — Constructed 2001-2004, the Sand Hill unit is a natural gas fired combined cycle power plant capable of generating 480 megawatts. Sand Hill Energy Center also has 4 natural gas simple cycle peaker units(LM6000) each capable of 50 megawatts. During the summer of 2009 work began on two new 50 megawatt simple cycle units. The project should be complete by the summer of 2010.
- Fayette Power Project — Austin Energy owns 50% of two units (Unit 1 and Unit 2) of this coal fired power plant, with the Lower Colorado River Authority
- South Texas Project — Austin Energy owns 16% of this nuclear power plant
Green energy
Energy customers can choose to pay a fixed 20 year rate on power obtained from renewable energy sources such as wind power by enrolling in the GreenChoice plan. Austin Energy purchases wind power generated in West Texas and power generated through the burning of landfill gas at landfills in Austin and San Antonio. As part of its Power Saver program, rebates of $4.50 per watt are offered for the purchase of solar photovoltaic cells. The utility has also offered rebates on some Energy Star appliances.
On March 5, 2009, the Austin City Council authorized Austin Energy to enter into an agreement with Gemini Solar Development Co. to build a 300-acre (1.2 km), 30 megawatt solar array. When completed in 2011, the plant, located in Webberville, Texas, will be the largest solar power generating project in the United States.
See also
References
- "Holly Street Power Plant". Austin Energy. Retrieved 2010-5-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - "Wind Power May Cost More Now, But Could Save Plenty Later". Four Points Media Group. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- "Power Plants" Austin Energy
- "Solar panels offer sunny money saving options". News 8 Austin. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- Young, Abe Louise (2007-08-03). "Going Green". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- Christopher Calnan "City council gives Austin Energy the go-ahead for major solar project" Austin Business Journal