Intelligent power management company Eaton is working with Tennessee Valley Authority to repurpose its retired Bull Run Fossil Plant in Clinton, Tennessee into a critical asset supporting reliable and clean energy.
As more electricity comes from variable sources and electricity demand increases, maintaining grid stability becomes more challenging as coal plants reach the end of their operating lifecycles. Synchronous condensers help balance grid inertia by replacing decommissioned power generation equipment, increasing power reliability and redundancy, Eaton said.
Eaton said it is providing the electrical and mechanical solutions needed to convert one machine comprised of two generators into two 605 mega-volt amperes reactive (MVAR) synchronous condensers. This will enable the Bull Run plant to add increased stability to the power grid.
“Synchronous condenser conversions are complex technical projects that require a high degree of specialized knowledge and project management capabilities,” explained Igor Stamenkovic, senior vice president and general manager for Eaton’s Electrical Engineering Services and Systems Division. “Through our approach and proven success helping other utilities across North America to support reliable and affordable power, we are confident this transformation will help enhance reliability and grid stability in the region.”
“America’s energy future is being built right here in the Tennessee Valley region. The synchronous condenser project will help strength the local grid as we build more American Energy to power our region's future,” said Scott Fiedler, a spokesperson for TVA, told Public Power Current.
He noted that the TVA region is growing faster than the national average in terms of population, GDP and load. To address the region’s load growth due to growing population, industrial electrification and onshoring of manufacturing, TVA is making some of the largest capital investments in the agency’s history -- 6,200+ MW of new generation planned, with 3,570 MW currently under construction.
TVA retired the single-generator coal-fired power plant, located near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in December 2023 as the plant reached the end of its life cycle in providing affordable, reliable power to the region.
Since then, TVA teams have been safely removing structures and preparing for future opportunities for TVA power generation and economic development, TVA noted in a June 26 post on its website.
While the decommissioning proceeds, including the demolition of the two tall stacks and other structures, TVA has placed some plans in motion to leverage the site to help build America’s energy future, it noted.
Along with the synchronous condenser, TVA is exploring fusion technology with high potential to become a commercial energy source over the next decade.
TVA said it is considering an array of future options at the site, such as pursuing economic development opportunities, further exploration of innovation, adding new generation and establishing a portion of the area for a green space for community use.
“The future of this site will depend on a few factors – environmental reviews to determine the impact of each option, community feedback on the preferred best use, and a final decision by TVA. It’s a thorough process to determine what’s best for the people of the Valley region,” TVA said.
