Power Plant Insights in SIUC 210 Physical Plant Drive, Illinois
The Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (SIUC) utility plant, located in Carbondale, Illinois, primarily relies on coal and petroleum as its energy sources. With a total nameplate capacity of 5.1 MW and a net summer capacity of 4.4 MW, the plant's energy production is heavily skewed towards coal, contributing 2.8 MW, and petroleum, contributing 1.6 MW. The absence of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and biomass is noticeable, suggesting a heavy dependence on fossil fuels. While the plant effectively utilizes conventional steam technology, the lack of diversification in energy sources could be a point of concern for sustainability and environmental impact.
Analysis of Energy Source Distribution
The plant's energy generation profile is dominated by non-renewable sources. Coal provides more than half of the plant's total capacity, which reflects a traditional energy approach. Meanwhile, petroleum contributes to the rest of the capacity. The plant lacks any renewable energy capacity such as solar or wind, which might be areas for future development to enhance sustainability. The current setup could face challenges with potential future regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Opportunities for Sustainable Transition
Given the plant's current reliance on fossil fuels, there are several opportunities to transition towards more sustainable energy sources. Investments in solar or wind installations could diversify the energy mix and reduce carbon footprint. Additionally, exploring biomass or geothermal options could provide new avenues for sustainable energy production. Transitioning to a more balanced energy portfolio could help mitigate environmental impact and align with future energy regulations.
FAQs
What is the primary energy source for the SIUC utility plant?
The primary energy source for the plant is coal, contributing 2.8 MW to the plant's capacity.
Does the plant use any renewable energy sources?
No, currently, the plant does not utilize any renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or biomass.
What is the total nameplate capacity of the plant?
The total nameplate capacity of the plant is 5.1 MW.
How much petroleum capacity does the plant have?
The plant has a petroleum capacity of 1.6 MW.
Are there any plans for the plant to transition to renewable energy?
While the data does not indicate current plans, transitioning to renewable energy could be a beneficial move for sustainability.
Plant Code: 57928
Plant Name: SIUC
Utility ID: 57306
Utility Name: Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Sector: Commercial CHP
Street Address: 210 Physical Plant Drive
City: Carbondale
County: Jackson
State: Illinois
ZIP Code: 62901
Primary Energy Source: coal
Source Description: Coal = 2.8 MW, Petroleum = 1.6 MW
Technology: Conventional Steam Coal; Petroleum Liquids;
Total Nameplate Capacity (MW): 5.1
Total Net Summer Capacity (MW): 4.4
Battery Capacity (MW): 0.0
Biomass Capacity (MW): 0.0
Coal Capacity (MW): 2.8
Geothermal Capacity (MW): 0.0
Hydroelectric Capacity (MW): 0.0
Hydro Pumped-Storage Capacity (MW): 0.0
Natural Gas Capacity (MW): 0.0
Nuclear Capacity (MW): 0.0
Petroleum Capacity (MW): 1.6
Solar Capacity (MW): 0.0
Wind Capacity (MW): 0.0
Other Capacity (MW): 0.0
Data Source: EIA-860, EIA-860M and EIA-923
Reporting Period (YYYYMM): 202502
Longitude: -89.215
Latitude: 37.711944
GeoJSON Shape: {“coordinates”: [-89.21499999980324, 37.711944000013396], “type”: “Point”}
Geo Point (lat, lon): 37.711944000013396, -89.21499999980324