Encina Power Station
Encyclopedia
The Encina Power Station (EPS) is a large natural gas
and oil
-fueled electricity generating plant located in Carlsbad
, California
, in San Diego County. Constructed in 1954, it is one the major suppliers of electricity for the region as well as one the region's oldest. The plant is owned by NRG Energy
.
, once a stinking pool at low tide it was opened to a continuous tidal flow to create a cooling system that was constructed along with the plant. Now home to Blue Herons, Ibis', and a multitude of aquatic life, the lagoon is attached to the ocean and other waterways through rising tide levels and various small creeks. The lagoon serves as EPS' source for its once-through cooling and is also owned by NRG Energy.
After it was built the tidal flushing through the cooling system has helped turn the lagoon into a thriving eco-system with fish hatcheries and shellfish farms that supply restaurants throughout the state with fresh seafood. The carbon dioxide emissions are quickly absorbed and turned into living organisms for the entire food chain. It sits by a beautiful beach in Carlsbad where locals enjoy roasted marshmellows around open fire pits at sunset.
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
and oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
-fueled electricity generating plant located in Carlsbad
Carlsbad, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Carlsbad had a population of 105,328. The population density was 2,693.1 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Carlsbad was 87,205 White, 1,379 African American, 514 Native American, 7,460 Asian, 198 Pacific Islander, 4,189 from other...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, in San Diego County. Constructed in 1954, it is one the major suppliers of electricity for the region as well as one the region's oldest. The plant is owned by NRG Energy
NRG Energy
NRG Energy, Inc. is an American energy company headquartered in West Windsor Township, New Jersey, near Princeton.-Electrical Power Generation Operations:...
.
Location
EPS sits on the southern shore of the outer segment of the Agua Hedionda LagoonAgua Hedionda Lagoon
The Agua Hedionda Lagoon is a lagoon in Carlsbad, California, that is fed by the Agua Hedionda Creek. Stewardship of much of the lagoon is held by the Encina Power Station and its owner NRG Energy...
, once a stinking pool at low tide it was opened to a continuous tidal flow to create a cooling system that was constructed along with the plant. Now home to Blue Herons, Ibis', and a multitude of aquatic life, the lagoon is attached to the ocean and other waterways through rising tide levels and various small creeks. The lagoon serves as EPS' source for its once-through cooling and is also owned by NRG Energy.
After it was built the tidal flushing through the cooling system has helped turn the lagoon into a thriving eco-system with fish hatcheries and shellfish farms that supply restaurants throughout the state with fresh seafood. The carbon dioxide emissions are quickly absorbed and turned into living organisms for the entire food chain. It sits by a beautiful beach in Carlsbad where locals enjoy roasted marshmellows around open fire pits at sunset.