Big Bend Power Station
Encyclopedia
Big Bend Power Station is a major coal-fired power plant
, located across the bay from Tampa, Florida
on nearly 1500 acres (6.1 km²) in southeastern Hillsborough County, close to Apollo Beach
. It is owned and operated by TECO Energy. Three similar units (each 445.5 MWe
nameplate capacity) were launched in the early 1970s, followed by a newer 486-MWe unit 4 in 1985.
from all four units.
Fossil fuel power plant
A fossil-fuel power station is a power station that burns fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas or petroleum to produce electricity. Central station fossil-fuel power plants are designed on a large scale for continuous operation...
, located across the bay from Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
on nearly 1500 acres (6.1 km²) in southeastern Hillsborough County, close to Apollo Beach
Apollo Beach, Florida
Apollo Beach is an unincorporated census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. The population was 14,055 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Apollo Beach is located at ....
. It is owned and operated by TECO Energy. Three similar units (each 445.5 MWe
MWE
MWE may refer to:*Manufacturer's Weight Empty*McDermott Will & Emery*Midwest Express, an airline*Merowe Airport - IATA code*Multiword expressionMWe may refer to:*Megawatt electrical...
nameplate capacity) were launched in the early 1970s, followed by a newer 486-MWe unit 4 in 1985.
Flue-gas desulfurization
The scrubber for Unit 4 began operation in 1984, and since 1995, has simultaneously scrubbed Unit 3 as well. The scrubber for Units 1 and 2 began operation at the end of 1999. According to TECO Energy, the scrubber system removes 95% of sulfur dioxideSulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula . It is released by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Since coal and petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, their combustion generates sulfur dioxide unless the sulfur compounds are removed before burning the fuel...
from all four units.