Output at the Markland hydroelectric station near Florence, Indiana, US, has been increased by 10% following Duke Energy Indiana’s completion of upgrades to its three hydroelectric turbines, generators and other equipment.
Work on the project commenced in early 2017, following approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. The project took four and a half years to complete and cost approximately $152 million – well within the company’s projected cost estimate. With the completion of these equipment upgrades, Markland Hydroelectric Station can now generate up to 65MW of renewable, carbon-free energy, depending on the flow of the river, which is enough to power 52,000 homes. The facility’s annual energy output has increased by 39GWh per year.
“The low-cost, carbon-free power generated at Markland Hydro Station is an important piece of our diversified portfolio of generation sources,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “By embracing new advancements in technology and innovation, we’re able to expand clean energy production for our customers while also maintaining the reliable service they expect.”
The upgrades included replacing turbine runner hubs and runner blades with a more efficient design. The company also replaced a number of other parts and components, including discharge rings, wicket gates, generator rewinds, generator excitation controls and relay protection, station controls, intake and draft tube gates and the main power transformer. Crews also overhauled the high- and low-voltage electrical distribution systems at the station.
Situated along the Ohio River, Markland began operations in 1967. It was the first nongovernmental hydroelectric station built on the Ohio River, and it played a vital role in the development of hydropower on the waterway.
