Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) recently completed the Glenarm Repowering Project, an extensive power plant upgrade that includes the replacement of a 51-year old steam generating unit, Broadway 3, with a more efficient combined cycle turbine unit known as Gas Turbine 5 (GT-5). GT-5 is the most environmentally “clean” unit in its class, with the lowest emissions limits in the country.
Why the Power Plant Upgrade?
• GT-5 is one of the largest and most complex capital improvements in Pasadena’s history.
• Pasadena’s ability to generate power locally helps to reduce the city’s exposure to region-wide outages and limitations with imported power supply.
• GT-5 provides a stable source of back-up power that allows PWP to integrate more renewable – but intermittent – energy such as solar and wind.
• GT-5 offers quick-start capability and can generate power within minutes as opposed to the 72-hour start up time needed for Broadway 3.
• Local hiring was a priority – Pasadena residents and businesses accounted for 20% of the reported certified payroll, and in total more than 400 jobs were created.
To view a Time-lapse video of the GT-5 construction, go to https://youtu.be/uwhDmgeZeMY.
Pasadena Water and Power will hold a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, Awards Recognition for the completion of the Glenarm Repowering Project on Friday, February 24, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Glenarm Power Plant (85 E. State St., Pasadena).