In 2022, Dominion Energy experienced multiple days in which every available generating unit was dispatched to meet customer demand. As we transition our generation resources, we need new dispatchable (“always ready”) generation, such as natural gas turbines, small modular reactors and long duration energy storage, to ensure reliable around-the-clock energy for our customers.

The state-of-the-art Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center will feature advanced emissions controls such as dry-low NOx burners, a selective catalytic reduction system and oxidation catalysts to help reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and more.

Dispatchable natural gas turbines are called upon when there is insufficient generation to meet customer demand, such as during increased loads and seasonal peaks. With a quick response time, they can go from being idle to producing reliable, around-the-clock electricity within approximately 10 minutes. They have been in operation since the early 1990s and are a proven technology.

We are incorporating both natural gas turbines and energy storage into our generation portfolio because there are pros and cons to each. Battery storage, which is still an emerging technology and does not produce electricity but stores it for later use, can ramp up to full power within seconds, but can only supply that energy for a short duration. Conversely, natural gas turbines are a more mature technology, have a proven record of generating reliable, low-carbon electricity and can provide more energy over a longer period of time. When paired, these resources help ensure reliable service for our customers.

The station is being designed to minimize visual impacts and will include setbacks from the property line and vegetation buffers.

The natural gas turbines have a sound reduction enclosure. In addition to localized noise requirements for specific equipment, the overall station is held to 75 decibels along the property boundary – similar to the sound of a vacuum cleaner or freeway traffic.