Upgrades & Rehabilitation
Duke Energy Hydroelectric System Modernization, Catawba-Wateree River
The Duke Power Hydroelectric System Modernization Program is one of the major systematic hydropower upgrade and rehabilitation efforts undertaken in the country, involving 43 generating units at 13 stations with a total installed capacity of 1,550 MW. DTA staff performed an initial condition assessment of all of the components at each of the 13 powerhouses on the Catawba River in NC and SC. Preliminary upgrade capital costs and reduced O&M budgets were estimated as well as unit priorities for the work. One of the major tasks of the program was to schedule the outages such that the most critical units were upgraded first before catastrophic failure occurred, while at the same time keeping enough generation capability available to move water through the system. The essential components of the program include the refurbishment of the turbine, including turbine runner replacement, complete generator rewind including core iron, the complete upgrade of mechanical and electrical auxiliary systems, and the installation of new digital controls for each generating unit. Newly installed equipment was standardized to facilitate station personnel operations with common control systems and common balance of plant equipment packages. A reduction in spare parts was an additional benefit of the program which added to a significant overall reduction in staffing and O&M budgets.
DTA is also the EPCM (engineering/procurement/construction management) contractor for the Duke Power Modernization program