The Haynes Generating Station Repowering Project will replace two aging power generating units that now use ocean water cooling with six 100 megawatt fast start natural gas combustion turbines. These turbines provide “peaking” capability to meet the City of Los Angeles’ energy needs and better enable tracking the variation in power supply provided from wind and solar energy generation – a growing part of LADWP’s power supply.  The turbines will also use “dry cooling’, completely eliminating the use of ocean water for these units. 

“I am very pleased the Department of Water and Power has taken this significant step toward complete elimination of ocean water cooling at its coastal power plants,” Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. “This project serves a number of environmental benefits: improving habitat for ocean life, supporting the increase of wind and solar power, and cleaning the air by reducing emissions.”

The Haynes Repowering Project is the first of a series of repowering projects designed to eliminate the use of ocean water cooling—a process known as “Once-Through Cooling” at three coastal power plants. “At the LADWP, we are absolutely committed to eliminating the use of ocean water to cool our coastal power plants. The challenge lies in how we stage and rebuild a critical part of our power supply, while at the same time ensuring we have enough power to reliably meet our customers’ needs,” said LADWP General Manager Ronald O. Nichols.

By replacing the two aging generating units—Haynes Units 5 and 6—with six advanced technology gas turbines, the project also serves the dual function of increasing the plant’s reliability and supporting current and future generation of renewable energy. “The new units are akin to jet engines that can ramp up to full power in just 10 minutes, as compared to the existing units, which require about a day and a half to reach full capacity,” Mr. Nichols said.

“That speed in ramping up and down will help us meet another very important objective – integrating more renewable energy into our electric grid,” Mr. Nichols said.  “When the wind is blowing strong and delivering power to LA, we need speed and flexibility to adjust to  that power source.  These new generating plants are part of an intricate balancing act to maintain a steady flow of power to our customers.”

Aram Benyamin, Senior Assistant General Manager-Power System, said the project has been made possible by forging a public-private partnership among LADWP forces and private contractors, along with local jurisdictions and neighbors.

“Today we are recognizing the professional good work and strong dedication of everyone involved in undertaking such a major project safely, on time, and within budget,” Mr. Benyamin said.

Haynes Generating Station is a natural gas and steam power plant located in the City of Long Beach and built in the mid-1960s. The station currently has seven power generating units with a combined capacity of 1,600 megawatts- enough to power approximately 1 million homes. In 2005, LADWP repowered Units 3 and 4 utilizing advanced combined cycle technology, which significantly increased fuel efficiency of the plant.

Estimated at $782 million, the Haynes Repowering Project has been planned for and included in the LADWP’s Power System capital budget. The generating units are expected to be in service by the end of 2013.

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