Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. | A Waste Management Company

The Metropolitan State Hospital and its consultant, the California State Department of General Services, recognized the economic advantages of incorporating the Hospital's thermal energy requirements into a fuel efficient cogeneration system to replace their aging steam plant. The cogeneration system, built by Wheelabrator Norwalk Energy Company, produces electricity that is sold to the local utility and steam and chilled water to meet the variable demands of the State Hospital.

The Wheelabrator Norwalk cogeneration power plant includes a LM2500 gas turbine with an electrical generating capacity of 28 megawatts and a heat recovery steam generator. This combined cycle configuration provides maximum system efficiency while minimizing fuel consumption and environmental impacts. The power plant utilizes steam injection to minimize nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and augment power generation and thus meet all air quality requirements as established by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

GENERAL
Location: Norwalk, CA
Operational: Spring 1988

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS
Electrical Generating Capacity: 28 megawatts
Combustion Turbine: One General Electric LM 2500
Fuel: Natural gas

AIR QUALITY CONTROL
Type of Equipment: Steam injection

PROJECT ECONOMIC BENEFITS
* Replaced the State Hospital's aging steam plant with a modern, efficient facility
* Provides the State Hospital with steam and chilled water at discounted prices
* State of California receives ground lease payments
* Operating payroll of more than $1,000,000 per year