REPORT:

Sixteen (16) members and guests toured the Encina Power Plant.  The tour began with a conference room briefing by Mike Pearson, resident Engineer, and David Lloyd, Director of Community relations for NRG West. Both were very knowledgeable and informative about the plant history and its important integral contribution to the San Diego County supply of power.  The briefing was followed by a comprehensive tour throughout the plant. This included viewing and discussions about all 5 units, natural gas fuel systems, water treatment, control rooms & instrumentation, and condenser circulating water systems. Flue gases from all 5 units aggregate to the 400 ft common stack, installed in the ‘70s.  Units 1, 2, & 3 were installed in the mid to late 1950s and they are currently in cold storage.  Units 4 and 5 were installed in the 1970s and they are in operation.

An interesting sidelight of the tour was viewing a variety of aquaculture activities currently hosted by the plant, specifically utilizing the lagoon water and the heated circulating water discharge.  It is notable that although the “purists” are quick to expound on the detrimental effects of thermal discharge, it is the temperate water that is essentially catalytic to enhance the breeding and growth of marine species that are commercially viable in the human food chain, such as mussels, edible seaweed, and abalone, as well as seahorses for the aquarium pets market.  Also, offshore fishing is often best near thermal discharge plumes because, …. that’s where the fish are, enjoying the sauna.

For pictures, visit http://asmesandiego.shutterfly.com/




 

ENCINA POWER PLANT TOUR

A tour of the Encina Power Station facility is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28th, 2009, at 2:00 pm .   If you are interested in attending the tour please email Mark Shin at Shinster1@Yahoo.com with the following information: 

  1. Your name.
  2. Your employer and your title.
  3. Your ASME membership number. You must be a current ASME member or be a guest of a member.  Priority will be given to members; guests will be included if space is available.

There is a dress code of no open toed shoes, no dresses, and no shorts.  The tour will be limited to 40 people on a first-come first-serve basis.

 

The Encina Power Station was first commissioned in 1954 and is a landmark on theCarlsbad coast.  We will tour the main power building which houses 5 steam boilers and respective electrical generators and the respective control room.  The tour will include a walk along the roof of the facility that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, the sea water intake structure, desalination pilot plant, mussel oyster farm, and sea horse hatchery.

 

The two newer generating units (cumulative 650 MW) are projected to be needed through 2017 based upon SDG&E load forecasts.  Cabrillo Power (facility owner) is looking to install smaller, more efficient, faster-starting generators in the industrial area between the railroad tracks and the I-5 freeway.  Eventually, the property’s use will be transformed into multiple uses, consistent with its unique location.  Poseidon Resources is developing a regional desalination plant on the site using the existing seawater intake and outfall, but Station use of seawater for cooling may eventually end because of concerns over potential impacts to marine species. 

 

The address is 4600 Carlsbad Blvd (otherwise known as Highway 101), Carlsbad CA, 92008.  Exit Interstate 5 at Cannon Road and enter the plant through the main entrance on the north side of the power plant (see picture below).  The security guard will direct you to the parking area.  Be prepared to show identification for access to the site.  The tour will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

 

Please support your local section to keep the tours and other events going by mailing your voluntary donation to:

 

ASME San Diego

8215 Thimble Ct

San Diego, CA 92129

 

Make the check out to ASME San Diego and reference Tours.  Any amount would be appreciated.