Electrical Engineering
Duke Power Hydro System Rehabilitation and Upgrade Program - Electrical
In
the early 1990’s, most of Duke Power’s hydroelectric facilities were aging and
in need of rehabilitation, modernization, and automation/controls upgrades.
Engineers and technicians now within Devine Tarbell & Associates (DTA) provided
engineering and construction management on an upgrade program for these
facilities, which comprise 16 powerhouses.
The work included a study of each powerhouse, preliminary upgrade recommendations, and prioritization for rehabilitation over a 10-year period. As each project is funded, DTA staff completes a detailed project scope investigation and develops cost estimates for engineering, materials and construction. Cost data, improvements in unit availability, projected maintenance reductions and, in many cases, improvements in MW capacity or energy production are utilized in project justifications.
Most generators are being rewound and rotor field poles are being reinsulated. In many cases, generators are being equipped with windings of a greater KVA capacity than original. For most projects, new static exciters, generator breakers, protective relaying and metering, AC and DC auxiliary power systems, and new powerhouse lighting are installed. Digital governors are also installed, and all unit control logic is typically incorporated into programmable logic controllers (PLCs). These PLCs are networked with computer workstations for automatic operation via touch screen controls from either the control room or off-site. Off-site control capability has already resulted in significant staff cost reductions. Work has been completed on Lookout Shoals 1-3; Lookout Shoals Auxiliary Generators A&B; Wateree 1-5; Wylie 1-4; Cedar Creek 1-3; Fishing Creek 1-5; Oxford 1-2; Rhodhiss 1-2; Cowans Ford 2; Mountain Island 2; and the Jocassee Pumped Storage Station. As of 2004, work is underway on Mountain Island 3.