Electrical Design and Testing of Cabin Creek Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Project

The design, construction, and testing of one of the world´s highest altitude high head pumped-storage projects presented extraordinary challenges to equipment designers, project design and construction engineers, as well as the testing and operating engineers. Considerations are described that lead to the selection of the major equipment, including the demands of high altitude upon the electrical design criterion. The two generator/motors are believed to be the world´s largest 360 r/min synchronous machines. Special procedures for separate balancing of the generator/motor before coupling to the pump/turbine, and balancing techniques utilizing a full range of controlled speed balancing steps made possible by the wound rotor induction starting motor, have resulted in completed machines having exceptionally fine balance. The extensive instrumentation has provided not only a sound basis of testing during start-up, but also a complete hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical record of initial plant and system performance.