Austin Energy
 More than electricity | |
| Public utility | |
| Industry | Electric power |
| Founded | 1895 |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas |
Area served | Travis & Williamson counties, Texas |
| Owner | City of Austin |
| Website |
austinenergy |
Austin Energy is a publicly owned utility providing electrical power to the city of Austin, Texas and surrounding areas. Established in 1895, the utility is a department of the City of Austin and returns its profits to the city's general fund to finance other city services. Austin Energy is the United States' 8th largest public utility, serving more than 440,000 customers and more than one million residents (as of 2015) within a service area of approximately 437 square miles (1,130 km2), including Austin, Travis County and a small portion of Williamson County.[1]
Energy generation
Austin Energy’s total generation capacity is more than 3,000 megawatts (MW), provided by a mixture of wind power, solar power, biomass, natural gas, nuclear power, and coal.[2]
Generation assets
Austin Energy owns and operates two natural gas-fired power plants in the Austin area: the Decker Creek Power Station and the Sand Hill Energy Center. The utility also owns 50% of units 1 and 2 at the coal-fired Fayette Power Project in La Grange and 16% of the South Texas Nuclear Project in Bay City (near Houston).[2] The STNP was the subject of a binding citizen referendum (November 3, 1981) to sell Austin's part in the project. STNP went online in 1986. No council has sold Austin's STNP telling citizens that "no one wanted our 16 percent".
| Unit[2] | Fuel | Capacity (MW) | Construction Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decker Creek Power Station (Austin) | Gas | 927 | 1967–1978 |
| Fayette Power Project (La Grange, 50% Share) | Coal | 602 | 1979–1980 |
| Robert Mueller Energy Center (Austin) | Gas | 4.6 | 2006 |
| Sand Hill Energy Center (Del Valle) | Gas | 570 | 2001–2010 |
| South Texas Project (Bay City, 16% Share) | Nuclear | 436 | 1988–1989 |
Renewable energy
As of July 2014, renewable energy represents roughly 23% of Austin Energy's generation portfolio, including solar, wind, landfill methane and biomass projects.[3] The utility's 2014 generation plan indicated that it aims to produce 50% of power from renewable sources and 75% from carbon-free sources by 2025.[4]
| Renewable Resources[3] | Fuel Type | Installed Capacity (MW) | First Operation Year | Contract Expiration Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Farms | Landfill Methane | 4 | 1996 | 2021 |
| Tessman Road Landfill | Landfill Methane | 7.8 | 2003 | 2017 |
| Nacogdoches Power | Biomass | 100 | 2012 | 2032 |
| Webberville Solar Project | Solar | 30 | 2011 | 2036 |
| LCRA Texas Wind Contract | Wind | 10 | 1995 | 2020 |
| Sweetwater Wind Farm 2 | Wind | 91.5 | 2005 | 2017 |
| Sweetwater Wind Farm 3 | Wind | 34.5 | 2006 | 2017 |
| Whirlwind Energy Center | Wind | 59.8 | 2007 | 2027 |
| Hackberry Wind Project | Wind | 165.6 | 2008 | 2023 |
| Iberdola Penascal I & II | Wind | 195.6 | 2011 | 2015 |
| Los Vientos II | Wind | 201.6 | 2013 | 2037 |
| Whitetail | Wind | 92.3 | 2013 | 2037 |
| Pending Wind Projects | MW Capacity | Year Beginning | Year Ending |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Vientos III | 200 | 2015 | 2040 |
| Los Vientos IV | 200 | 2016 | 2041 |
Energy conservation
Austin Energy operates an energy efficiency program for customers, including a free "energy audit" that helps to identify ways users can reduce power consumption. The utility offers various subsidies and rebates for efficiency improvements, including HVAC, insulation, efficient lighting, and photovoltaic panels.[5]
In 1992 Austin Energy developed the nation's first local Green Building program.[6] It shares the distinction of being the largest and best established green building program in the country along with Built Green Colorado in Denver.[7]
Electric vehicle program
Austin Energy’s Plug-In EVerywhere network, powered by 100% renewable energy, expanded to a total of 186 public charging stations to help drive a two-year, 300% Austin EV growth rate. Austin Energy led a 10-county, regional effort to develop a community plan that supports the adoption of EVs and successfully deployed the first-of-its-kind EV home charging Demand Response program.
References
- ↑ "At-A-Glance". Austin Energy. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Power Plants". Austin Energy. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
- 1 2 "Renewable Power Generation". Austin Energy. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
- ↑ "2014 Generation Resource Planning". Austin Energy. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
- ↑ "Austin Energy". Energy Star. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
- ↑ "Green Building: Basic Information". Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
- ↑ "Summary of Green Building Programs" (PDF). National Renewable Energy Laboratory. August 2002. Retrieved 21 April 2015.