2 minute read
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
by SVEC
BETTER, STRONGER, FASTER
Meanwhile, the Midulla Generating Station has received its own upgrade in the form of two improved combustion turbines. The new turbines will produce 25 more megawatts of electricity, yet will use no more fuel than before. That’s a 2.9% increase in efficiency.
“These turbines are like big jet engines, and eventually you have to refurbish and replace those combustion components,” says James Woodall, plant manager at the Midulla Generating Station. “Through advances in the metals and coatings, they’ve come up with better materials to replace those with.”
In addition to improved output and efficiency, the new turbines will also save on maintenance costs. While the previous turbines could operate 12,500 hours before requiring major maintenance, the new turbines will be able to run for 36,000 hours, nearly three times as long. That also means fewer outages for repairs, leading to improved reliability for SVEC consumer-members.
These improvements will keep Seminole competitive in a rapidly changing electric industry, ensuring that its member cooperatives have reliable and affordable power. Seminole is also working on purchased-power agreements it hopes will add 300 megawatts of solar power to the mix.
“We’re going to see a big change in our fuel portfolio and across our whole industry in the next three to four years,” Hart says. “Seminole is working to ensure these changes benefit our Membership.”
Seminole is adding 300 megawatts of solar power to its fuel mix through purchased power agreements.
The new turbines at Seminole’s Midulla Generating Station will produce more energy at a lower cost with less maintenance — leaving more time to generate the electricity SVEC consumer-members use every day.
1.
Combustion Turbine 1 is removed for de-blading and installation of upgraded blades.
2.
The new exhaust cylinder is ready for installation.
3.
The lower casing and all stationary blades and seals have been removed from the combustion turbine.
4.
The new blades have been attached, and the combustion turbine has been put back into the casing for final fitting in preparation for operation.
