GE Vernova has secured an order with Dominion Energy South Carolina for the modernization of two hydropower units installed at the Saluda Hydropower plant located on the Saluda River in the Southeastern region of the United States, approximately 10 miles west of the city of Columbia, South Carolina.
This modernization project is intended to help extend the lifetime, reliability, performance, and operational flexibility of the power plant that has been generating power for almost a century.
GE Vernova says the new collaboration builds on the relationship between itself and Dominion Energy across all three GE Vernova business segments: power, wind, and electrification. Around 70% of Dominion Energy’s fleet currently leverages GE Vernova’s technology, according to the company.
In addition to extending the lifetime and enhancing the performance of the plant, the modernization project is meant to help better maintain the water quality of the Saluda River by increasing dissolved oxygen (DO) through the implementation of GE Vernova’s aerating turbine technology. This new equipment oxygenates the water and aims to ensure a minimum level of oxygen, which is meant to contribute to protecting aquatic life and the state’s natural resources.
GE Vernova’s scope of work includes the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation of an aerating turbine to replace the Unit 1 and Unit 3 turbines, as well as the rehabilitation of the Unit 3 generator. The first unit is expected to be retrofitted by 2027.
Saluda Hydro is a nearly 100-year-old power plant that includes five Francis hydropower units. The plant has been in commercial operation since December 1st, 1930, and its fifth hydropower unit was added in 1971 to increase the output and capacity of the dam to 206 megawatts (MW). At the time, the hydropower dam was built to support the growth of the textile industry in Columbia, and for water supply, flood control, and recreation purposes. The construction of the dam formed a 48,000-acre reservoir called Lake Murray. Today, Lake Murray is used by many South Carolina residents for fishing, paddling, swimming, and picnicking.
“As one of the oldest sources of renewable energy in the country, the ~100 gigawatts (GW) installed base is aging, and we see large opportunities for modernization projects to deliver even more renewable energy into the grid and help accelerate the energy transition in the country,” said Frederic Ribieras, hydropower CEO at GE Vernova.
