The CT Project 1 includes three combustion turbines, each with a capacity of approximately 25 megawatts. Two units are located in the City of Alameda and one is in the City of Lodi. NCPA’s Central Dispatch Center in Roseville can remotely start or stop each turbine, and bring these units fully online within ten minutes. These facilities possess dual fuel capability, with natural gas as the primary fuel and diesel fuel being available in the event of a natural gas curtailment. This project has played an instrumental role as an important source of peak load and reserve capacity for NCPA’s local communities and districts. In fact, due to the location and quickstart attributes of these facilities, NCPA was able to provide crucial power supply to the California Independent System Operator during the height of the electricity crisis.

These units utilize novel water injection technology to substantially reduce plant emissions. Moreover, innovative cooling techniques help promote plant efficiency and output during the hottest summer months—when Californians need it most.

The CT Project 2 is located in the City of Lodi. The project consists of a 49.9 megawatt steam injected (STIG) CT Unit. A STIG cycle is a simplified alternative to a combined cycle, and has the advantage of lower capital costs than a combined cycle plant, but still possesses high efficiencies.

Wastewater is reclaimed from the City of Lodi’s White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility to produce the steam needed for power enhancement and emissions control. The wastewater is carefully processed to eliminate contaminants before being used in the turbine. Once treated, the wastewater is stored in a 250,000 gallon tank until needed. The facility utilizes approximately 900 gallons of wastewater per minute to produce 120,000 pounds (14,388 gallons) per hour of steam.