Creating 43.2-megawatts of available power

Swanton Peaking Station

We helped a municipal wholesale electric power joint-action agency—the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA)—through the development, construction, and commissioning of the State’s third largest electric power generating station. VPPSA wanted to bring a unique plan to fruition. The goal? To increase power capacity for their clients. How? By transporting and re-purposing two 1960s gas turbine generators from California to Vermont.

The first order of business was to coordinate the transportation of the gas turbine generators to a previously-undeveloped plot of land in Swanton, Vermont. The 40-year-old gas turbine generators were evaluated and deemed to be in exceptional shape, but they did require refurbishing prior to being installed and commissioned on-site. Adding to the complexity of the project was the client's desire to provide minimal operations staffing—an un-manned site was the goal.

Our scope included the installation of new fuel and forwarding systems, new demineralized water systems for NoX control, new turbine and generator control systems, new infrastructure, and a 46-million-volt-ampere switchyard. We also provided project management and owner’s engineer services.

With a capital project budget of $24 million, the project created 43.2-megawatts of available power and renewable energy credits for bio-diesel operations. The Swanton Peaking Station is considered a success and will help provide emergency grid restoration and stable power operations for northern Vermont for many years to come.