Executive Summary: Fleet‑Wide Hydro Excitation Modernization Improves Reliability and Efficiency
Salt River Project (SRP) completed a multi‑year modernization of generator excitation systems across four hydroelectric dams along the Salt River in Arizona. By standardizing excitation and plant controls on Emerson’s Ovation™ Automation Platform and integrating the new systems with existing distributed controls, SRP improved operational visibility, reduced maintenance costs, and strengthened unit reliability.
The modernization supports continuous 24/7 power delivery while simplifying operations, accelerating troubleshooting, and enabling reliable startup and shutdown procedures across the hydro fleet. The project positions SRP’s hydropower assets to continue supporting growing electricity demand and an evolving grid that incorporates more renewable energy resources.
Results: Lower Maintenance Costs, Faster Troubleshooting, and High Unit Reliability
- Reduces maintenance costs by 30%
- Cuts troubleshooting time in half
- Avoids delays that could have doubled startup and shutdown durations
- Helps maintain 90th percentile unit reliability
- Supports a continuous, reliable power supply 24/7
Application
A hydropower fleet-wide excitation system modernization, standardizing on a common automation platform.
Customer
This was a multi-year modernization project at four Salt River Project (SRP) hydroelectric dams along the Salt River in Arizona. SRP’s Roosevelt, Horse Mesa, Mormon Flat and Stewart Mountain dams generate 265 megawatts of hydropower – enough to power more than 60,000 homes annually.
The Challenge: Growing Grid Demands and Aging Excitation Infrastructure
Rising electricity consumption driven by record growth in the Phoenix area, along with extreme temperatures in service areas, have required energy providers like SRP to continue to invest in improving its infrastructure, including generator excitation.
The Solution: Standardized Ovation Excitation and Integrated Plant Controls
Emerson, an industrial technology leader delivering advanced automation solutions, completed a multi-year modernization project at four Salt River Project (SRP) hydroelectric dams along the Salt River in Arizona. SRP’s Roosevelt, Horse Mesa, Mormon Flat and Stewart Mountain dams generate 265 megawatts of hydropower – enough to power more than 60,000 homes annually.
SRP modernized legacy excitation systems ─ vital for power generation ─ and seamlessly integrated them with the distributed control systems already in place at its four hydroelectric dams. By standardizing on Emerson’s Ovation™ Automation Platform and implementing modern control strategies, SRP reduced operations and maintenance costs by 30% and cut troubleshooting time by half – helping ensure operational continuity and strengthening grid performance. Enhanced operational visibility keeps critical startup and shutdown procedures efficient, avoiding delays that could have doubled their duration.
The custom Ovation Excitation Systems, two of which are for pump and energy storage units that require unique integration when switching to pump mode, are seamlessly integrated into the existing Ovation distributed controls. The new cohesive plant system improves SRP’s hydroelectric capabilities, which help strengthen grid reliability and meet the demands of an evolving grid using more renewable energy resources like solar and wind.
SRP’s new, fully integrated automation platform simplifies operations and maintenance by using the same spare parts, streamlining training, maintaining operator familiarity and managing a single point of contact for automation support and service.
Increased visibility and reliability of hydro operations helps Salt River Project ensure continuous operation to efficiently supply their customers with the power they rely on 24/7. SRP’s vision for standardizing on a fully unified automation system was a transformative step that will position them for success –even in the face of shifting energy markets and increased need for power – for decades to come.
Why It Matters: Modernized Hydropower Operations Built for Long‑Term Grid Resilience
For hydroelectric operators, modernizing excitation and control systems is critical to maintaining reliability, operational efficiency, and long‑term asset viability. SRP’s fleet‑wide approach demonstrates how standardizing on a fully unified automation platform can simplify maintenance, reduce operational complexity, and improve troubleshooting across multiple facilities.
By increasing visibility into hydro operations and improving the consistency of startup and shutdown procedures, SRP strengthened unit reliability while supporting a dependable, continuous power supply. The project represents a strategic investment in resilient hydropower infrastructure capable of meeting future grid demands.
“As the long-time operator of the Bureau of Reclamation’s dams, we have a responsibility to ensure delivery of a reliable, clean and continuous source of power the community depends on.
By standardizing on Emerson’s fully unified Ovation™ Automation Platform across our hydro fleet for excitation and plant control – and through close collaboration between project teams – we completed all system installations on time, even with aggressive schedules. We now have greater operational insight and easier troubleshooting, which helps us maintain unit reliability in the 90th percentile.”
- Shari Brady, Hydro Electric Engineer, Salt River Project
Learn More About Emerson Hydro Automation Solutions
Modernize and optimize your hydroelectric plant with Emerson’s portfolio of hydro specific automation solutions:
- Ovation Hydro Power Plant Control Systems
Hydro power plant control systems, SCADA and mechanical solutions for increased accuracy, reliability and plant optimization. - Ovation Excitation Systems
A native generator exciter and excitation control system with advanced features to help maintain grid stability and reliable plant operations. - Pumped Storage Hydropower Automation Solutions
Modernize pumped storage operations by unifying your plant applications into a secure, flexible, and resilient architecture. - Hydro Governors
Expertly control hydroelectric turbines to provide reliable power that is highly responsive to the dynamic needs of the electrical grid.
Related Case Studies
Explore additional examples of how Emerson hydro automation solutions improve reliability, unit dispatch, and grid stability.
Modernizing a Legacy Hydroelectric Fleet’s Automation Strategy
Consult an Expert
Contact our hydro automation solution experts to learn more about Emerson hydro power plant control systems and automation solutions and how they can modernize and optimize your facility.