Alstom-patented Hooped Pelton Runner to Equip Castaic Hydropower Plant in California

Alstom has been awarded a hydro rehabilitation contract worth approximately USD$30 million by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), further strengthening the companys leadership in the rehabilitation of the hydropower installed base.  Under the terms of the contract, Alstom will design, install and commission a new Alstom-patented Hooped Pelton runner, which is an impulse turbine with buckets supported by two separate hoops, a new generator and new governor, as well as provide an exciter and controls for unit 7 of the Castaic hydropower plant located in the state of California.  Commissioning is expected in 2014.

Located in Castaic, approximately 35 miles north of Los Angeles, the approximately 1,250 MW hydropower plant is owned and operated by LADWP.  Six of the seven units in the plant are pumped-storage units, while unit 7 is a conventional 55 MW Pelton unit.  LADWP is the U.S. largest municipal utility and has been providing reliable water and electric service to the city of Los Angeles for over 100 years.  Alstom has already supplied LADWP with heat recovery steam generators, steam turbines and conventional steam boilers, and continues to provide the utility with aftermarket steam turbine, generator and boiler service in the form of parts supply and field service assistance.

Commenting on the contract, Jérôme Pécresse, President of Alstom Renewable Power said, We are pleased to provide LADWP a new, Alstom-patented Hooped Pelton runner. This order illustrates Alstoms capability to meet its customers expectations with innovative and efficient rehabilitation programs that keep operators plants up and running at peak performances. This contract further reinforces our long standing commitment to the US hydro market and paves the way for future rehabilitations.

Alstom Hydro Projects in California
Last March, the Bureau of Reclamation awarded Alstom a contract worth over USD$10 million to replace and overhaul units 1 and 2 at the Trinity Power plant in Northern California. The scope of the contract provides for the design, fabrication and testing of a model turbine and of two identical 70 MW vertical Francis runners.  The new and improved turbine runner design, for a very wide head range from 222 ft. (67.6 m) to 485 ft. (148 m), will ensure the facilitys ability to produce clean, cost-effective hydroelectricity. Also included in the scope of work are the supply and refurbishment of several hydro mechanical components and appurtenant equipment, a machine tool for site machining, as well as on-site services.  Commissioning is expected in early 2015.  The Trinity plant, which is part of Reclamations Central Valley Project, has the capacity to generate up to 140 MW, enough to supply electricity to 1,000 homes in the region.

Both contracts have been booked during Fiscal year 2011-2012.

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About Alstom

Alstom is one of the worlds leaders in power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for all thermal (coal, nuclear, gas...) and renewable (hydro, wind, solar...) energy sources. It offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs over 90,000 people in around 100 countries, and had sales of 21 billion in 2010/11. 

Press Contacts

Adam Pratt (U.S. Media Relations) adam.r.pratt@power.alstom.com - +1-202-351-9322

Stéphanie Roux (Alstom Renewable Power) - +33 1 41 49 78 62 stephanie.roux@power.alstom.com

Alstom's state-of-the-art power generation technology can be found in 25% of the world's hydro plants.