SHORELINES

Upgrading turbines Alabama Power unlocking 'more clean energy' at dams modernization project. Upgraded hydro units help increase the supply of clean, renewable energy by operating with greater efficiency. They also require less maintenance. Lay Hydro Plant has completed both the unit 1 and unit 4 upgrades. Test results have not been released, but are expected to exceed the guarantees of the Alabama Power is helping "unlock turbine supplier/installer. more clean energy" for the nation through turbine upgrades at its hydroelectric facilities. The company's turbine upgrades are featured among a select number of similar projects taking place around the country in an article on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) website, www.energy.gov. Four hydro units at three dams on the Coosa River are being upgraded. "With the retrofits from these hydro pl ants combined, Al abama Power will have nearly the equivalent of a new unit through the increased megawatts." — Bouldin Pl ant Superintendent Chuck Easterling One unit upgrade was completed in December 2012 and a second unit was finished in August 2013. The third unit is expected to be done by year end, while the fourth should be finished by the first quarter of 2014. The upgrades are funded partly by DOE through its hydropower "The results for the Lay units are expected to be favorable," said Senior Engineer Danny Minor. "Final reports are not official at this point due to some post-test verification being done by an independent testing firm. Above Left: Photo by Bill Snow — Chuck Easterling views the progress at Bouldin Hydro Plant. Center: Photo by Bill Snow — Unit 2 turbine retrofits will be completed by the end of 2013 at Bouldin Hydro Plant. 10 S hor el i ne s | 2013 Vol:4

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