Hundreds of people recently toured the AES Alamitos Generating Facility, whose six units can provide enough energy for nearly 2 million homes.

Brian White, AES Maintenance Leader and Plant Engineer, led some of the tours, showing such interesting things as a Plant Control Room that closely monitors the operation of two units, and Steam Turbine Generators, that clean themselves with their steam.

He said the California Independent System Operator, who plans for transmission needs, contacts wholesale power sellers like JP Morgan when an increased energy need is forecast, so Morgan can get appropriate generating facilities, like AES Alamitos, to start up their power plants and create what's needed. However, it takes 10 hours before the big Alamitos plant can start producing the new electricity for the grid.

Officials said the facility at 690 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach, has installed $23 million in state-of-the-art emission control equipment and $2 million in new ocean water intake screens. AES is a global power company providing energy in 25 countries.