Design features of the Helms pumped storage project

The Helms Project has been in operation since 1984 and represents the state of the art in pumped storage technology in terms of operating heads and unit capacity. A description is given of design features, startup experiences, corrective work, and project performance to date. The following are covered: mechanical features, electrical features, generators and motors, pump mode operation, transformers, control, protection, station service, powerhouse cranes, rotor dynamics, field pole bucking, thrust bearing, and cold loading