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The turbine at the Valencia Generating Station was constructed in Las Vegas, N.M., in 1972 and began operating in 1973.
The turbine is capable of producing 15 to 20 megawatts of power, or enough electricity to power about 12,000 to 16,000 average-sized homes, depending on the season.
The turbine, along with transmission lines, has been a source of power for Las Vegas and the surrounding area. High-voltage transmission lines bring power to the area from Santa Fe and from Springer. Recent PNM reinforcements to the distribution system for Las Vegas provide a backup connection between the city and the transmission system. The turbine historically provided this backup function when there was only a single connection between the transmission system and the city’s distribution system. PNM is constructing an additional 115kV transmission line in the region that will alleviate the remaining need for Valencia Generating Station, which is to provide transmission system support. The transmission project is expected to be in service in 2006. Energy crisis in the West Early in 2001, the turbine was operated more frequently than usual because of a critical shortage of power on the western electric grid. At that time, PNM and other utilities on the grid were bound by a Department of Energy order that required them to make any excess energy available to the marketplace. A slightly amended but similar order, issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, still stands. As a result, the plant may be run when there is a critical shortage of power in the Southwest — or to meet PNM customer needs. Annual usage The turbine has been operated each year, on average, less than 1 percent of the time. At no time has the turbine exceeded an operation level of more than 4 percent a year. PNM has not nor does it intend to run the turbine 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except under the circumstances outlined above. Permits and regulations PNM holds a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity from state regulators for operation of the turbine, as well as an operating permit from the New Mexico Environment Department. Air emissions PNM believes the turbine complies with applicable air regulations. In this instance, the best way to minimize emissions is to maintain the turbine well and operate it according to the manufacturer’s standards and specifications. PNM follows this protocol when operating the turbine. The turbine’s 36-foot stack results in emissions being dispersed over a large area, and in low concentrations, rather than in large concentrations in the immediate area. The turbine's emissions do not result in the state or federal ambient standards being exceeded. The ambient standards are set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the New Mexico Environment Department to protect human health with an adequate margin of safety. Fuel The turbine can be fueled by either diesel fuel or natural gas. At this time, PNM uses diesel fuel exclusively to operate the turbine because local gas distribution lines do not provide sufficient gas service to the site. Cost to operate Compared to coal- and natural gas-fired generation, the Las Vegas turbine is relatively expensive to operate. Thus, it is only economic to operate on days when local power supplies are low, demand is high or there is a critical need for the power elsewhere on the western grid. Sound abatement When some residents complained in early 2001 about the plant’s noise level, PNM held two public meetings to hear their concerns. PNM followed up by hiring a consultant to measure the sound levels at various points around the plant. The consultant found that, in some locations, the noise level rose above accepted industry standards. In response, PNM installed specialized noise-abatement equipment at a cost of more than $600,000. The result? Noise produced by the facility has been reduced by more than 50 percent.
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