Kilarc PowerHouse looking South.

The switchyard on right stays.

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.

Chip Stalica

Hand on needle control valve of left turbine.  Its cut-off valve handle is shown in lower right of the photo.

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.  

1180 Feet of Head Today. 

Head is measured in vertical feet of water up to the level of the forebay minus pipeline losses.

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.  .

Needle Valve control on left and and deflector controls in background.

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.

Deflector in Action

Here the jet, (not stopped in this 1/2000 sec picture) is deflected away from the Pelton buckets.

Pelton Buckets

Looking downstream.  The buckets are in excellent condition.

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. 

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.

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.