The former West Springfield Generating Station in West Springfield is part of a state study to look at the workings and conversion of peaker power plants. Peaker plants kick in during peak use times, when the grid is being drawn upon heavily.
by Aprell May Munford, MassLive, October 21, 2024
Melissa Lavinson, the executive director of the newly formed Office of Energy Transformation, said the state is collaborating with plant operators and stakeholders to explore how peaker plants can transition away from fossil fuels to reduce carbon emissions, while also ensuring the grid is prepared for the transition.
Although peaker plants operate less than 15% of the year, they are used to ensure electricity reliability during high-demand, or “peak,” periods, such as during the dog days of summer.
Peaker plants typically use simple combustion engines. Peakers tend to use oil as backup fuel when the natural gas system is strained. The low-efficiency and occasional use of fuels such as kerosene means peakers disproportionally contribute to climate and air pollution and also represent a large opportunity for decarbonization.