The Vero Beach power plant is now defunct and a major piece of its equipment is being sent to Central America.
Cooling tower systems act as a water management tool for industrial proposes and can dispose of heat waste and also work as a source of water.
The Vero Beach cooling tower, according to TC Palm, is now on its way to Honduras. Jose Prieto said that his company, South Bay Builders, was hired to dismantle the Vero Beach plant’s cooling tower. South Bay Builders were paid more than $57,000 to take down the tower, which sits just off Indian River Boulevard.
Dismantling cooling tower systems is a very delicate process because all the parts need to still function once they are put back together. The cooling tower parts also need to remain intact throughout the shipping process. Because this cooling tower will service Honduras, Prieto and his team have been given 75 days to complete the project. Prieto hopes it will be finished within 45 days.
“It’s like it’s being built,” Prieto said, “only in reverse.”
Jim O’Connor, city manager, said the city wants to continue removing all the plant’s equipment and doesn’t plan on making a profit doing so, as the plant is now defunct.
“If we break even,” O’Connor said, “we’re going to be lucky. We just have to have it down.”
The plant shut down in November and Orlando city officials are planning the best way to use the 13-acre piece of waterfront property. There are still various legal issues regarding Vero Beach’s power plant, as Indian River Shores and Vero Beach have been at odds for years over electricity prices.
Indian River Shores sued Vero Beach, stating that the city has no right to legally force its people to be on its electric grid after the closing in November. Vero beach, however, claims that the state Public Service Commission gave them the authority to do so.
Cooling tower systems are essential for any industrial power plant. If you’re in need of any operation relating to water-cooling towers, contacting the cooling tower manufacturer directly might be your best option. Cooling towers were designed to specifically recycle more than 98% of water that was used by others — making them essential for any industrial operation.
