CPV Three Rivers Energy Center (TREC) is a 1,250-megawatt natural gas-fueled combined-cycle electric generation facility located in Goose Lake Township, Grundy County, Illinois. The facility began operations in 2023 and is capable of powering more than 1.25 million homes. TREC consists of two combustion turbines, two heat recovery steam generators, and two steam turbines to maximize efficiency. This new single-shaft design allows for efficient electric generation from each specific unit, independent of maintenance or outage work on the other sister unit. The plant is owned by Competitive Power Ventures and operated by CAMS.

Carbon Footprint

TREC is using combined-cycle technology and the latest “H” class gas turbine, approximately 30- 40 percent more efficient than older baseload electric generation technologies. This state-of-the-art technology combined with clean-burning natural gas replaces less efficient generating units, with offsetting carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to removing 300,000 cars off the road each year. Additionally, the facility uses advanced emissions control technology, including ammonia injection and dry low emission burners, to reduce total nitrogen oxide emissions.

Water Use

TRECs’ air-cooled condenser design reduces water use by 90 percent compared to a wet cooled facility, helping conserve valuable natural resources. The relatively small amount of water needed for process makeup comes from onsite wells. By utilizing air-cooled condensers, the facility is also able to implement a zero-liquid discharge system. Zero liquid discharge is a strategic wastewater management system that ensures that there will be no discharge of industrial wastewater into the environment. This benefits the environment through recycling and recovery for subsequent reuse for industrial purposes. This wastewater would otherwise be discharged into the Illinois, Kankakee, and Des Plaines River basin areas.