The Challenge

Avista, a utility company based in Washington State, USA, sought GE’s support to reinforce their regional grid during the winter months. With customers in the Pacific Northwest experiencing an increase in energy demand during the winter season, Avista needed to provide faster response to the area and improve local grid reliability. GE’s Power Services business helped to upgrade two gas turbines at Avista’s Coyote Springs Power Generation Facility in Boardman, Oregon.

The Solution

Coyote Springs facility installed GE’s Advanced Gas Path (AGP) and Dry Low NOx 2.6+ (DLN2.6+) combustion technologies. The upgrades will increase its capacity by 18 megawatts (MW) with a 1.56% fuel efficiency. Avista also extended its existing multiyear service agreement with GE.

“This upgrade project made sense because a more flexible combined-cycle plant allows us to better respond to increased energy demands during the winter months and support regional grid stability," said Jason Thackston, Avista’s senior vice president of energy resources. “Increasing the capacity of our existing facilities also reduces the urgency to build new generating capacity in the region.” The power being generated is equivalent to the amount of energy needed to heat 210,000 homes in Oregon.