St Lawrence-FDR hydro refurbishment three-quarters complete

February 11, 2010

The New York Power Authority has reported that 12 out of 16 of its turbine generators has now been refurbished at the St Lawrence-Franklin D Roosevelt Power Project.

The achievement means the $281 million modernization program is now three quarters of the way toward completion, having started back in 1998.

The work is being carried out to ensure the 800MW hydroelectric project remains part of the Northern New York electricity supply for “decades to come”.

Richard M. Kessel, NYPA president and chief executive officer, said the power project was the source of some of the lowest-cost electricity in the country.

He said: “The recent start of work on another turbine-generator keeps us on track to complete the overall initiative by 2013. I want to congratulate our LEM project team, including the St. Lawrence-FDR work force, for its dedication and professionalism in advancing this effort, which has also been supported by our employees at other facilities.”

The refurbishment of the 13th turbine, which began immediately after the completion of the 12th, is expected to be completed by August of this year.

Eugene L. Nicandri, a NYPA trustee and resident of Massena, said: “It would be difficult to overstate the importance of this facility, whose low-cost power has been the lifeblood of Massena industries for decades. And although the North County is experiencing tough economic times, it is gratifying to know that this generating project stands ready to help the region regain its footing.”

Modernization

The St Lawrence Life-Extension and Modernization program has involved nine major component manufacturers.

The work has required a highly coordinated effort involving nine major component manufacturers in achieving numerous installation milestones. Among the most significant activities has 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.

French-owned Alstom Hydro USA has been awarded two independent contracts – one in 1998 and the other in 2004 – to provide the 16 replacement turbines, using two different designs to suit those they are replacing.

The St Lawrence-FDR power plant was originally built back in 1958. Its refurbishment will include a more efficient system for harnassing power from the St Lawrence River, and turbines made from stainless steel – a more resilient material than the original carbon steel machines.

When possible, the Power Authority has contracted with local businesses for different facets of the work, including rotor performance tests, electrical tie-ins and mechanical work. This has included companies in Massena, Ogdensburg, Canton, Gouverneur and Potsdam.

Over the decades of its operation, the St. Lawrence-FDR project has produced more than 340 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, which would be sufficient power to meet electricity demand in the U.S. for one month. The project has also prevented emissions of almost 175 million tons of greenhouse gases from fossil-fueled plants, avoiding the need for roughly 550 million barrels of oil.

The power plant’s largest customer is aluminium smelter Alcoa, in Massena, with more than half of the facility’s generating output reserved under state law for businesses in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Franklin counties.