Abbott Power Plant Tour

January 29th, 2015

Today we had the opportunity to attend a tour at Abbott Power Plant in Champaign. Even with its two towering pipes in the air, I somehow never noticed the plant on campus. Because it is located on the edge of campus, it doesn't typically draw the attention of students except for the occasional smoke coming from the pipes. The University has operated this co-generation plant since 1941 and contrary to popular belief the plant provides 75% of the electrical energy used on campus.

We began the tour with the knowledge that the plant converts coal, natural gas, and potable water into energy directly consumed on campus. These raw materials come to the plant and become filtered/converted into usable energy. This plant is considered both energy efficient and cost-effective because of its combined heating, cooling and power production cycle. Even though the black emissions and smoke appear to be harmful pollutants to the air on campus, the emissions actually pose little health risks. In one of the pipes it is smoke from the burning coal, but coming from the other pipe is only harmless steam. 

Taking this tour was very interesting and informative. We were able to look at the engines and boilers up close and see how they work in action. There are so many different components at work at all times, and seeing them in this work environment was fascinating. This plant loads more efficiently and conserves energy by consuming fewer natural resources. Now that I know that Abbott Power Plant is responsible for so much of the electrical energy, I have learned to appreciate the buildings around us even when they aren't continuously praised or noticed.