4th Grade Energy Field Trip: Fayette Power Plant

After studying energy and taking a virtual tour of the Xcel Energy Plant, we toured our own Fayette Power Plant.









The folks at the Power Plant always welcome us in to show us a video about the plant.











The temperature was 36º F with a wind chill of 26º! The bus tour was awesome. Mr. Russ, who specializes in environmental work at the plant, led the tour.
A few photos of the tour:

PUMPS THAT TRANSFER WATER FROM THE LAKE
TO THE PLANT











THE PRECIPITATOR HELPS CLEAN THE AIR RELEASED FROM THE STACKS

THE BOILER











THE STACK
















BUS TOUR!
I remember one awesome student question, although there were many, " Who owns the power plant? How do they make their money?" Yes, at 10, very financially minded! Alldyn, was that you?















WHERE THE CRUSHED COAL IS GROUND TO POWDER














COAL
CONVEYOR BELT



COOL FACTS ABOUT OUR FAYETTE POWER PLANT:
The lake was built for the power plant. The water from the lake cools the equipment.
Good bass fishing in the lake.
The water is 68° going to the power plant, and 88° when it is released back into the lake.
The boiler is 400 feet tall.
The coal at Fayette Power plant comes from Powder River Basin in Wyoming.

Here is a math question for you. Can you solve it?
There are 150 - 120 tons of coal in each train car. There are 130 cars per train. Coal costs $1.25 per ton. What is the total cost of the trail load of coal??


Fayette Power Plant burns about 1000 tons an hour! They are open 24 hours, remember!