We live in a world of rapid change. But what never changes is how essential electricity is to society. Because of that, it is crucial that we evolve to stay safe for our customers and a leader in our industry. In 2016, we modernized much of our fleet, delivering on the needs of our environment and creating value for our shareholders.
Reduced our carbon emissions
We reached an important milestone in our fleet optimization strategy by completing coal-to-gas projects at four power plants. These modifications reduce the plants’ combined carbon footprint by more than 80 percent, a key step towards our goal of providing customers cleaner power.
We reached an important milestone in our fleet optimization strategy by completing coal-to-gas projects at four power plants. These modifications reduce the plants’ combined carbon footprint by more than 80 percent, a key step towards our goal of providing customers cleaner power.
Among the first to make such modifications, NRG is now a leader in coal-to-gas projects. This is essential as we push ourselves – and our industry – to reduce carbon emissions. This enabled us to make those reductions in an economically efficient way, while continuing to meet market needs.
Big Cajun II Generating Station
At Big Cajun II Generating Station in New Roads, LA, one unit was converted and generates enough energy to power more than 425,000 average households.
Joliet Generating Station
The Joliet Generating Station near Chicago generates enough power for more than one million average households.
Shawville Generating Station
The Shawville Generating Station in Shawville, PA can power over 475,000 average households.
New Castle Generating Station
The New Castle Generating Station near Pittsburgh generates enough power for more than 250,000 average households.
Enhanced our fleet
Modernizing our fleet was key in 2016. To accomplish this goal, we made major environmental upgrades to four older coal plants with backend emission controls. This maintained base-load fuel diversity and eliminated the majority of several air contaminants from the flue gas that leaves the plants.
The modifications made at the Powerton, Waukegan, Will County and Avon Lake plants reduced our sulfur dioxide emissions and kept the plants in compliance with increasingly stringent EPA regulations.
In partnership with JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration, we completed the Petra Nova Project, a commercial-scale post-combustion carbon capture facility, on-time and on-budget. Through this enhanced oil recovery solution, the widespread application of this technology can increase domestic oil supply while decreasing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere.
We launched the $20M NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE to incentivize the brightest minds around the world to help address the issue of climate change. The participating teams are developing new CO2 conversion technologies, accelerating them from laboratory testing to demonstration under real world conditions. The competition has empowered people to take part in addressing one of our world’s greatest challenges.
