Photo By Stacey Reese | Keystone Lake powerhouse staff are working on a significant upgrade project involving...... read more read more
TULSA, Okla. — Hydroelectric power remains a cornerstone of renewable energy production worldwide, leveraging the natural force of water to generate electricity. One key aspect of maintaining efficiency in hydroelectric units is the periodic replacement and upgrading of critical components, such as the stator cores.
At facilities like Keystone Lake, where units harness the gravitational potential energy stored in a lake, ensuring optimal equipment performance is crucial for maximizing energy output. Recently, Keystone began a significant upgrade project involving rewinding the stator cores of both hydropower units.
"Over time, components within hydroelectric units, particularly the stator windings, can wear out or become less efficient," said Ethan Stringer, project engineer at the Tulsa District power resident office.
Stringer says this is especially true for units that have been operational for over 50 years, like the ones at Keystone, which began producing energy in the spring of 1968 adding the rewind program, essential for units nearing the end of their service life, involves replacing these windings to maintain or even enhance the unit's capacity and efficiency.
Unit one underwent this process, completing its rewind in late April. After thorough testing and acceptance, the unit was successfully reintegrated into service.
Hydroelectric units operate by converting the kinetic energy of flowing water into electrical energy. Each unit has a rotor and a stator. The rotor, driven by water passing through the powerhouse, rotates against the stator, which is magnetized. This interaction induces electrical currents in the windings of the stator, generating electricity.
"Rewinding the stator cores will not only extend the operational lifespan of the units but also increase their power-generating capacity," said Stringer.
By utilizing advancements in materials and winding techniques, the upgraded units at Keystone will increase from 35 megawatts to 40 megawatts. These enhancements do not alter the powerhouse's fundamental characteristics, preserving its reliability and operational integrity.
Tulsa District operates 22 hydropower units across eight hydropower plants. These units generate approximately 1.794 billion kilowatt-hours annually, supplying power to 2.6 million end users throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Louisiana.
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.19.2024 08:09 |
| Story ID: | 476553 |
| Location: | OKLAHOMA, US |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Enhancing Hydroelectric Power at Keystone Lake, by Stacey Reese, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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