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 Third Advanced Turbine Installed at Wanapum Dam
July 24, 2007
EPHRATA, WA – On Wednesday, July 19, the third of 10 advanced turbines scheduled for installation at Wanapum Dam was lowered into place, three weeks ahead of schedule.
The utility’s crews have acquired experience during the previous two installations, making it possible to exceed installation expectations. All 10 turbines are expected to be installed on schedule by 2012.
Brad Strickler, Grant PUD project engineer noted, “This installation has been the best one yet, our mechanics really have this process down.”
The turbine replacement program at Wanapum Dam is the largest construction effort since the dam was completed in 1961. At a cost of $150 million, the 10 advanced turbines at Wanapum dam will increase the generation capacity of the plant by an estimated 14 percent.
The first advanced turbine, installed in November 2005 received industry-wide attention. The state-of-the-art design of the turbine and embedded parts associated with turbine functionality incorporated innovations developed through a 10-year research, design and model testing program.
The geometry of the new runner assembly changes the water flow dynamics of the turbine, reducing sheer below the tolerance threshold acceptable to juvenile salmon passing through the unit. Salmon survival tests performed after installation of the first unit determined that survival through the turbine was nearly 98 percent, slightly higher than survival rates achieved through an existing turbine. Future tests will be performed to continue assessing salmon survival as side-by-side units are replaced within the powerhouse. Grant PUD is presently evaluating the economic feasibility to upgrade generators at Wanapum Dam.
Grant PUD received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in July 2004 to install the first turbine. After successful installation and favorable test results, approval was received in December 2005 to proceed with the remaining nine turbine units.
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Grant County Public Utility District is a Washington state municipal corporation that began electric service in 1942. Owned by the people it serves, Grant PUD generates and sells electricity to Grant County residents and millions of customers throughout Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest. The Priest Rapids Project, comprised of Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams, produces nearly 2,000 megawatts of clean, renewable and reliable electricity – enough to supply a city the size of Seattle. A leader in science based technology; Grant PUD is committed to finding effective measures for the protection, mitigation and enhancement of salmon, steelhead and other natural and cultural resources.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kathy Kiefer
(509) 754-6625 / kkiefer@gcpud.org
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