To keep up with increasing energy demand in the competitive Southern California market, Imperial Irrigation District (IID) needed to upgrade its El Centro Unit 3 from a simple cycle to a combined cycle plant.
We supported IID as Owner’s Engineer throughout the plant betterment project with the goal to increase output, improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
Guiding IID through complexity
We delivered a preliminary 30% design package, prepared technical content for California Energy Commission (CEC) permitting and EPC Contractor RFP packages, and provided oversight during permitting, detailed design, construction, and commissioning. As the project evolved, we guided design modifications, including replacing the original steam turbine and condenser and rebuilding the turbine foundation, ensuring the project stayed on schedule and budget.
The project features a 2x1 combined cycle configuration, incorporating two 47-MW Siemens SGT-800 Dry Low NOx gas turbines, two dual-pressure heat recovery steam generators and one steam turbine generator with a condenser, delivering improved efficiency and resilient energy for the region.