OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Feb. 19, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black & Veatch has been selected as owner's engineer by Exelon Generation for the installation of two 1,000 megawatt combined cycle natural gas units in Texas. The units will meet growing electricity demand in Texas while reducing the amount of water used to produce power in the drought-prone state.
The units are being built at Exelon Generation's gas-fired generating stations in Colorado Bend, southwest of Houston, and Wolf Hollow, west of Dallas. New General Electric gas turbine technology, 7HA.02 gas turbines, will make the units among the cleanest and most efficient in the U.S. The units will use dry cooling instead of the traditional wet cooling towers to minimize overall water usage. They are designed for rapid start-up and turndown efficiency to address varying power demands.
In 2013, Black & Veatch began providing site feasibility analysis and conceptual design services for the projects. The company also assisted in the selection of major equipment suppliers. This included support with technical and commercial negotiations. As owner's engineer, Black & Veatch's services include engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) specification development and design support.
Black & Veatch's end-to-end delivery will ensure project quality and scheduling certainty across all phases of the installation.
"The Black & Veatch approach to design concept and major equipment selection saved time and money," said Gerome Randle, Exelon Power's Vice President, South Region Operations. "This performance shows that Black & Veatch is well suited for similar combined cycle gas turbine project development work."
Project construction began in January 2015. Commercial operation is scheduled for 2017.
"This project demonstrates the value of EPC services that give our clients a single point of contact across all stages of a project," said Dean Oskvig, President and CEO of Black & Veatch's energy business. "The project will allow Exelon Generation to generate energy in a cost effective manner while conserving water. This is a model that can be applied to other power generation projects."
Editor's Notes:
- Black & Veatch began providing engineering services for the Exelon Generation projects in 2013. This included site assessment, technology evaluations; conceptual engineering; cycle design; major equipment and EPS specification development and procurement support.
- The Colorado Bend Generating Station is currently six units capable of producing 498 megawatts of electricity. The Hollow Bend Generating Station is currently three units able to produce 704 megawatts.
- The two projects will bring about 1,000 engineering and construction-related jobs.
About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building critical human infrastructure in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2013 were US$3.6 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and in social media.
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