Hitachi Power Systems America Ltd. won a 10-year contract from the New York Power Authority to replace and modify major components of Lewiston Pump Generating Plant’s pump-turbine units.

Hitachi will replace parts of the 12 pump-turbine units and associated equipment which date back to 1961, to extend the life of the hydroelectric facility and enhance its performance. The program consists of replacing the turbine runners, which is the rotating portion of the equipment that transfers energy from the water flow to the generators, as well as a design and test of a pump turbine model runner.

The field upgrade will begin in late 2012 under a schedule providing for the overhaul of a turbine generator unit every 8 to 9 months, with the final unit completed in 2020. The phase-in schedule provides for 11 of the 12 Lewiston’s units to be available for operation during the program so that NYPA can meet its commitments to its customers. In addition to extending the life of the pump generating plant, the refurbishment will lead to greater efficiencies, allowing the plant to generate additional power with the same amount of water.

Hitachi had been previously awarded the upgrade and rehabilitation of the pump-turbine units for NYPA’s Blenheim-Gilboa project in 2004 which was successfully completed in 2010.

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