The Bureau of Reclamation is using advanced mechanical engineering design and project management techniques to regain power plant capacity lost as a result of drought-related low water levels at 2,074-MW Hoover Dam. Work includes mechanical modifications in 11 hydro turbine-generator units to increase flow rates as well as overhauling all 17 turbines. The mechanical modifications to date have recovered 84 MW with an annual value of $2.7 million. Additional power produced by the 11 units overhauled to date equates to nearly $3.2 million a year. In addition to advanced mechanical design and stainless steel fabrication based on computational fluid dynamics, this project is noted for tightly coordinated procurement and installation project management within an existing O&M program at an aging operational power plant.

Volume Subject Area:
Plant Operations and Maintenance
Topics:
Dams, Turbines, Design engineering, Power stations, Project management, Computational fluid dynamics, Flow (Dynamics), Manufacturing, Stainless steel, Turbogenerators, Water
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