Grand Coulee Dam: Third Powerplant Overhaul Project

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On the western hillside above Grand Coulee Dam, workmen in neon green t-shirts straddle a partially built transmission tower hundreds of feet high. The crew, barely visible against a maze of power lines and steel structures, are building six new towers that will support 18 power lines coming from the Third Powerplant across the Columbia River.

The new towers are part of a year-long effort to install new 500-kV overhead transmission lines and high voltage towers. The lines stretch from the powerplant, across the Columbia River, over the visitor center area, and then proceed uphill to existing lines that transfer power into the Bonneville Power Administration’s regional grid network. (Video by Kirsten Strough, Visual Information Specialist)

Overview

The six generating units in the Third Powerplant (TPP) have been in service since the mid-1970s. Age-related wear is beginning to create problems which have resulted in increased power outages and reduced reliability. The overhaul project will ensure continued operation of the powerplant and allow Reclamation to provide a reliable source of hydroelectric power to the region.

Reclamation is preparing for the overhaul outages by identifying specific repair needs, performing detailed analysis, performing design work, and seeking contracts for work to be completed prior to overhaul. A considerable amount of the Planning and Design work is being accomplished in partnership with Architect-Engineering companies under contract with Reclamation.

These efforts will result in improved reliability of equipment that is needed to support the overhaul, will identify ways to minimize outage durations, and will reduce the likelihood and magnitude of increases to outage time.

Project Summary

Projects to be Completed Prior to the Overhaul

Other Third Powerplant Overhaul-Related Projects

Photo Gallery | Base Scenario Animation

Third Powerplant Generating Units Overhaul Activities EA Addendum

Third Powerplant Generating Units Overhaul Activities EA & FONSI

Grand Coulee's Third Powerplant 500-Kilovolt Transmission Line Replacement Project FONSI

Grand Coulee's Third Powerplant 500-Kilovolt Transmission Line Replacement Project EA (BPA)

Project Update - Third Power Plant (TPP) Status Report – September 21, 2012

Material Storage Building (MSB): The $5M project was awarded to Graham Construction. The building is almost complete.

NEPA for MSB and TPP Overhaul: The NEPA was completed and the EA has been issued.

TPP Cranes: The $11M project was awarded to Dix, Inc. Crane control replacement is underway for cranes Ederer 2 (275 Ton) and Ederer 4 (50 Ton) inside the powerhouse and the Forebay Gantry Crane (275 Ton) outside of the powerhouse. The project is anticipated to be complete by January 2013.

Fixed Wheel Gate Chamber Modifications: The $4M project was awarded to Knight Construction, Inc. The project is currently under construction with an anticipated completion date of February 2013.

TPP Elevators: The project was awarded to ThyssenKrupp, Inc. for $1.5M. The project will be complete by February 2013.

Excitation Systems: The project was awarded to ABB, Inc. for $17M. The installation, testing and commissioning of G-19, G-21, G-23 and G-24 are complete. The G-22 Excitation System is currently being installed and G-20 is scheduled to be installed in January 2013.

Governor Upgrades: The project was awarded to American Governor, Inc. for $1.5M. The installation, testing and commissioning of G-19, G-21, G-23 and G-24 are complete. The G-22 Governor System is currently being installed and G-20 is scheduled to be installed in January 2013.

Transformer Replacement (G19 & G20): The $26M contract was awarded to Gardner-Zemke, Inc. The construction is substantially complete. Both sets of transformers are currently in use.

500 kV Cable: The contract was awarded to Wilson Construction for $18.5M. The new overhead lines will be commissioned in December 2012 and the oil-filled cable removal will be complete by December 2013.

Shaft Seals: The $1.6M contract was awarded to SM seals in June 2010. The seals have been received, inspected and stored awaiting installation during the G-22, G-23 and G-24 mechanical overhaul.

Mechanical Overhaul of Units G-22, G-23, G-24: The $102M contract was awarded to Andritz Hydro, Inc. Onsite work will begin in March 2013 and be complete by September 2017.

Tentative Schedule

Activity

Start

Finish

Overhaul Units G22-24

March 2009

September 2017

Design

March 2009

January 2010

Contracting

January 2010

May 2011

Construction

March 2013

September 2017

Overhaul G-24

March 2013

September 2014

Overhaul G-23

September 2014

March 2016

Overhaul G-22

March 2016

September 2017

Overhaul Units G19-G21

January 2018

December 2024

Material Storage Bldg

June 2008

October 2012

TPP Elevators

June 2008

February 2013

Modify Fixed-Wheel Gate Chamber

June 2008

February 2013

Rehab TPP Cranes

June 2008

February 2013

New TPP Exciters

May 2007

May 2013

New TPP Governor Controls

September 2008

May 2013

Replace 236MVA Transformers

November 2006

December 2011

New 500KV Cables

February 2009

December 2013

News Releases

05/12/2011 Reclamation Awards $102 Million Contract for Overhaul of Third Powerplant at Grand Coulee Dam

03/04/2009 Reclamation Awards $2 Million Contract for Grand Coulee Third Powerplant Project Planning

02/27/2009 Reclamation Prepares EA on Proposed Grand Coulee Third Powerplant Overhaul

Contacts

Lynne Brougher
lbrougher@usbr.gov
Public Affairs Officer
Grand Coulee Power Office
(509) 633-9503

Chris Vick
cvick@usbr.gov
Project Manager
Grand Coulee Power Office
(509) 633-9350

Last Update: September 27, 2012 3:32 PM