Funding for the project is coming from the Bonneville Power Administration, which markets power generated from federal hydropower facilities in the Pacific Northwest. The new exciters will replace obsolete equipment that is prone to frequent breakdowns often resulting in lost revenue and power generation.
Mike Connor, commissioner of the US Bureau of Reclamation, said: “This project will maintain Grand Coulee dam’s reputation as a source of clean, renewable energy that will provide economic benefits throughout the Pacific Northwest for years to come.”
The contractor will furnish and install the six new digitally-controlled excitation systems complete with power potential transformers, power circuit breakers and other associated equipment, and also remove existing equipment. It will manufacture the components and have the project completed by January 2013.
The Grand Coulee Dam’s generators produce approximately 20 billion kWh of electricity in an average water year.
