Under the multiyear service deal, GE will supply six Advanced Gas Path (AGP) sets; six sets of its Dry Low NOx 2.6+ (DLN2.6+) combustion system; OpFlex software package; and four new unit rotors.
The company will also provide extended steam turbine coverage as well as premium generator coverage for the power plant.
The equipment is expected to strengthen the power plant’s output by about 48MW, increase efficiency, reduce startup times and provide longer intervals between maintenance outages.
Upon completion of the upgrade project, the facility will be able to cut down its emissions without using additional water.
Southern California Edison power supply and operational services senior vice-president Stuart Hemphill said: "Our Mountainview station will be much more flexible, enabling it to more quickly respond to the needs of the California ISO system that is highly penetrated with solar power and other renewable sources."
The upgrade project is a part of SCE and other California utilities’ efforts to boost efficiency, output of existing natural gas power plants.
GE plans to commence equipment installation at the facility in 2016 while the upgrade project is scheduled to be completed by May 2017.
Located about 80 miles east of Los Angeles, the power plant comprises four 7FA.03 units, two D-11 steam turbines and associated generators in combined cycle capable of generating electricity required power about 685,000 average US homes.
California, which has doubled its renewable power generation capacity to more than to 25% from 12% in 2008, has set a target to produce 50% of its total power capacity from renewable sources by 2030.
In August, GE was selected by Coachella Energy Storage Partners (CESP) to supply a 30MW battery energy storage system for Imperial Irrigation District’s (IID) plant in Southern California.
Image: SCE’s Mountainview generating facility in California. Photo: courtesy of General Electric.
