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Key Facts
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Faribault Energy Park (FEP) is environmentally friendly. This
facility is among the cleanest-burning, most efficient electrical
generation plants in the Midwest.
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In addition to cleaner-burning natural gas as a fuel source,
secondary fuels will be liquids from renewable, or “biomass,”
sources, such as recycled vegetable oil, soy oil and camelina oil.
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Capacity is 265 MW, roughly the amount of power consumed daily in
265,000 homes.
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FEP is owned by the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA). Its
member utilities are in Anoka, Arlington, Brownton, Buffalo, Chaska,
East Grand Forks, Le Sueur, North St. Paul, Olivia, Shakopee and
Winthrop.
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FEP helps stabilize the electrical supply to residents and
businesses in the region, even during peak demand periods.
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Faribault Energy Park is designed to be a “working classroom” to
help students and residents from the region understand energy
generation, especially environmentally-friendly ways to generate
electricity. Visitors on tour can see the control room and steam
turbine from an observation room.
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Our combustion turbine generator fueled by natural gas has been
operating since spring of 2005. Now, in Phase 2, we are operating in
“combined cycle” mode with a second generator powered by excess heat
from the first generator. The result is highly efficient power
generation.
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Our management of water is an important environmental benefit. On
our 35-acre site, we maintain a recovery and filtration system that
stores rainwater for steam production and cooling equipment.
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FEP is an important economic boost for Faribault, including 16
permanent jobs. It serves as an anchor for the city’s industrial
park and provides energy supply stability for the area. It will
attract businesses needing hot water for their processes.
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The facility’s concept, design and construction were managed by
Avant Energy Services of Minneapolis. Avant’s goal was to build a
facility that integrated into the Faribault community in ways that
contributed to the city’s economic, environmental and educational
prosperity.
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FEP is an attractive, approachable campus, including public access
to walking, fishing, bird watching and other recreation on site.
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The architectural appeal is unusual for a power facility, featuring
stone facing and striking three-story windows.
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Employee amenities, including the locker room and break area, are first
class.
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Technical Information:
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Natural gas
turbine capacity 159 MW; steam turbine capacity 120 MW.
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Largest liquid
biofuel plant in the state at 20 MW.
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Emissions will be dramatically lower than a coal-fueled plant of
similar size. (Although there are many variables, FEP will produce
roughly 97 percent less nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, and
roughly half the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide of a coal
plant.)
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The facility cost approximately $180 million, the largest investment in
Faribault’s history.
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Participating companies were: Construction management by Avant Energy
Services; Mechanical by Azco and NewMech; Electrical by Parsons;
Building and concrete by Sheehy Construction; Excavation by Heselton
Construction; Engineering by HDR Engineering and Stanley Consultants;
Landscape design by HKGI; Architectural services by Nelson Design.
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The facility was built with union labor under a special agreement with
the Minnesota Building Trades Council.
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Contact information:
Mark Tresidder
Faribault Energy Park
4100 Park Ave. No.
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 331-4791, ext. 201
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