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Kilarc PowerHouse looking South.
The switchyard on right stays.
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3.1 Megawatts of Green power
As with all PG&E Powerhouses, it is immaculate.
These turbines remove energy from the water stream keeping the
water cold. Even in high head installations, this effect is
small but significant and part of the reason powerhouse water is
so cold. |
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Chip Stalica
Hand on needle control valve of left turbine. Its cut-off
valve handle is shown in lower right of the photo. |
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Nearly all Manual Operation
This control wall is covered with protective relays regulating
power from the station but also allow the generators to be connected
in and this unit to island the Whitmore area.
Islanding operation requires skilled operators. |
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1180 Feet of Head Today.
Head is measured in vertical feet of water up to the level of the
forebay minus pipeline losses. |
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Field Collector Rings
Maintenance is a constant job. These rings have to be wiped
down every few days to remove carbon or flash-over may occur.
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Needle Valve control on left and and deflector controls
in background. |
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Detail of Needle Valve and Deflector
This is the business end of the white needle valve - here almost
closed and the deflector ring. Water enters from the left
and is here deflected down away from the Pelton wheel out of the
picture on the upper right. |
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Deflector in Action
Here the jet, (not stopped in this 1/2000 sec picture) is deflected
away from the Pelton buckets. |
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Pelton Buckets
Looking downstream. The buckets are in excellent condition.
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Detail of Buckets
These pictures show the very minor wear on the buckets, most evident
in the shortening of the central tooth.
They are in excellent condition. |
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The Deflector in Action.
In the lower left, the deflector can be seen actively aiming the
(almost closed) jet away from the wheel.
It is a bit wet here - not recommended. |
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View of Power House Releases at Near Full Power
Very cold water pouring out. This aerates the water effectively.
The water has been kept high and cool. The buckets
are worn and allow significant undershoot. |