Alcatraz Power Plant

The crumbling white concrete Quartermaster Building stands stark against the blue sky.

Quick Facts

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Because of its geography, Alcatraz poses unique challenges when it comes to power and sustainability. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area has taken these challenges head-on and developed several ways to improve efficiency and limit energy expenditure. Be it water usage, garbage management or carbon emissions from electricity production or transportation, we are addressing the problems.

Hybrid Ferries

The Alcatraz Cruises runs future-forward ferries powered by a combination of solar, wind and diesel power to get visitors to and from Alcatraz and Angel Island and back to San Francisco.

Waste Management

Garbage and sewage are shuttled back to the mainland to keep Alcatraz from getting too stimulating to the olfactories. The park, along with Alcatraz Cruises, is committed to keeping waste from Alcatraz out of landfills. After returning to the mainland, workers separate recyclable and compostable materials.

Alternative Power Source

Alcatraz has no electrical or water lines from the mainland. Drinking water and diesel fuel for electric generators must be ferried to the island. These inefficiencies raise the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions Alcatraz puts out, which is why the NPS has found some creative ways to reduce Alcatraz's carbon footprint.

The buildings on Alcatraz are fitted with solar panels and a battery system that lowers its carbon dioxide emissions. In 2013, solar power reduced the island's fuel usage by an estimated 32,000 gallons and kept 325 Metric Tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere. Go planet!

The Ins and Outs of Solar Power

When it's sunny out, 959 solar panels on the cellhouse roof power the entire island. Any extra electrical juice that comes through charges a bank of batteries located in the old power house. The batteries store energy to boost the electrical system when the sun isn't enough. The power house is also equipped with diesel generators that can power the island if all the other juice runs low and then put any extra energy back into the battery bank.

Smart Water

Alcatraz needs water for drinking, irrigation and maintaining the island's sewage system. To cut down on bringing water to the island, the gardens are irrigated with captured rainwater, and the toilets are flushed with saltwater. Currently, desalinization and on-site sewage treatment are under study, and may further reduce the need to transport water and sewage.