Rare plant species supports reliable hydropower at Osage Energy Center
A small block of wood from Ameren Missouri's Bagnell Dam highlights a larger connection between plants, people and reliable energy
Some may think of reliable energy in terms of steel and concrete or wires and electrons; however, a recent contribution from Ameren Missouri to the Missouri Botanical Garden highlighted a unique connection between plants and the company's commitment to powering the quality of life for its customers.
The contribution was inspired by a recent Lake News and Shoreline Views article highlighting the role of lignum vitae at the Osage Energy Center. Lignum vitae, a dense, oil-rich hardwood known for its natural self-lubricating properties is used in the shaft bearings of the turbines at Bagnell Dam's hydropower plant. Completed in 1931, the Osage Energy Center at the Lake of the Ozarks is one of three hydroelectric plants within Ameren Missouri's generation fleet. During a typical year, the Osage Energy Center produces more than 500 million kilowatt hours of electricity — enough to supply the needs of more than 40,000 households.
Please click on the above photo to watch a video highlighting how a small block of wood represents a larger connection between plants, people and reliable energy.
“Lignum vitae has long been valued for its density, durability and natural oils,” said Bryan Vance, manager of shoreline management at Ameren Missouri. “It can withstand heavy use in wet environments, and we have yet to find a man-made material that can perform better.”
When larger blocks of lignum vitae are precision-cut to fit inside the Osage Energy Center's generator, small pieces of the wood can sometimes be left over from the production process. Ameren Missouri recently contributed a sample of this critical hardwood from the Lake of the Ozarks' hydroelectric plant to the Missouri Botanical Garden.
“This kind of object helps us show how plants are connected to people’s lives in unexpected ways,” said Robbie Hart, director of the Garden’s William L. Brown Center. “It tells a clear story about the importance of plants in our everyday lives.”
The Garden’s biocultural collection also features items connected directly to the Ozarks, including a postcard book made from natural fibers and ink made from the Missouri-native black walnut. By adding the Ameren Missouri sample to its research collection, the Garden can preserve a piece of Bagnell Dam and Osage Energy Center history and place it alongside other examples of how plants support communities across the globe.
To learn more about the Missouri Botanical Garden, please visit missouribotanicalgarden.org.