The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has completed work on the 13th of 16 turbine-generators to undergo refurbishing as part of a $281M initiative to ensure effective operation of the hydroelectric project.
Refurbishment of the 14th turbine, which began at the end of September, is expected to be completed in May of next year. The Life Extension and Modernization (LEM) project is scheduled to be completed in its entirety by the middle of 2013.
NYPA began the St. Lawrence LEM program in 1998 to replace or renovate the original major generating equipment in the power project and improve the overall performance flexibility and efficiency of the facility, which has operated continuously since 1958 as a source of some of the lowest cost electricity in the country.
The work has required a highly coordinated effort involving nine major component manufacturers in achieving numerous installation milestones. Among the most significant activities have been the disassembly and removal of the turbines—the major component of the turbine-generator units—and the renovation of their turbine-pit locations to facilitate the installation of the refurbished units.