Water quality affects coal plantJun 9 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - John Ingle Times Record News, Wichita Falls, Texas
Rising temperatures in Texas typically means one thing -- the need for more energy to accommodate the use of air conditioners. For coal-fired power plants like the Oklaunion Power Station, that also means the need to have water to generate electricity. The plant in May drew an average of 3.8 million gallons daily from Lake Diversion, which is fed by Lake Kemp. Kyle Miller, general manager for the Wichita County Water Improvement District No. 2, said recent rains gave a little relief to the reservoir in Baylor County. He said Lake Kemp was at 25.4-percent capacity Friday afternoon. Plant managers, he said, are conscientious about the severe drought and the depleting water supply. "They're being very conservative of that water, but they have demands," he said of increased production of electricity this time of year. "They're treating that water and using it the best they can." Stan Whiteford, a spokesperson for majority owner of the plant American Electric Power, said the water situation in North Texas hasn't affected the plant's ability to produce electricity. He said they haven't had to begin hauling water, but they are keeping their eyes open for opportunities if the need arises. One thing plant managers have noticed, the AEP representative said, is the quality of water has declined as the lake levels have dropped. "We treat all of our water before it's used in the production of the steam because it's got to be ultra clean," he said. "You can't afford to have any particles in there at all." He said all of AEP's generating facilities are able to treat water before using it in their processes. Miller said he has learned from discussions with plant managers that they aren't able to use the water in as many cycles as they used to because the quality has deteriorated. They were able to use water for seven or eight cycles in previous years, but now they are down to two to three cycles. The WCWID general manager said by contract, the city of Wichita Falls has all use of water from Lake Kemp once the reservoir and Lake Diversion combined reach 50,000 acre-feet, which equals about 386,000 gallons. According to texaswaterdata.org Friday afternoon, Lake Kemp had about 268,000 acre-feet of water. "What's scary is I think everybody always thought that and knew it," Miller said. "But in these times like we're in right now, it's becoming closer and closer to reality." http://www.energycentral.com/functional/news/news_detail.cfm?did=32736647& |