As the name implies, these compact power plants provide power only at times when our customers' needs for electrical energy reach a peak that cannot be supplied by conventional generating facilities.
These plants can be started and shut off by remote control in a matter of minutes.
The jet engines at Weston and West Marinette are similar to the engine in a jet aircraft. The diesel engines at Eagle River and Oneida are much like the kind of engine in a railroad locomotive.
However, because each of the peaking plants operates with expensive fuels, they are only switched on in times of need and are immediately shut off when the demand for electricity declines.
Because their fuel burns cleanly, peaking plants introduce only a very small amount of pollutants into the environment.
| Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC) Peaking Plants | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Yr of Service | Fuel | Total MW (WPSC MW) | |
| Weston Gas Turbine - W31 2 Jet Engines - W32 |
1969 1973 |
Natural Gas/Fuel Oil Natural Gas/Fuel Oil |
21.5 (21.5) 51 (51) 72.5 (72.5) |
| Eagle River 2 Diesel Engines |
1964 |
Diesel Fuel |
4(4) |
| West Marinette 2 Jet Engines - WM31 2 Jet Engines - WM32 Gas Turbine - WM33* *68% WPSC Jointly Owned |
1971 1973 1993 |
Natural Gas/Fuel Oil Natural Gas/Fuel Oil Natural Gas/Fuel Oil |
41.9 (41.9) 41.9 (41.9) 87.4 (59.4) 171.2 (143.2) |
| Oneida 2 Diesel Engines |
1996 |
Diesel Fuel |
4 (4) |
| Pulliam Gas Turbine - P31* *Unit Output controlled by UPPCo |
2003 |
Natural Gas |
82.6 (82.6) |
| De Pere Energy Center Combustion Turbine - DEC |
1999 |
Natural Gas/Fuel Oil |
179.8 (179.8) |
| Necedah Combustion Turbine - J31 |
2003 |
Fuel Oil |
9.8 (9.8) |
| Total WPSC peaking capacity= | 495.9 MW | ||