Completion 7: Noblesville Generating Station
Cost: $200 Million

Indiana's Noblesville Generating Station was originally built as a coal-fired plant, but the coal-burning portion was decommissioned and three combustion turbines that run on natural gas were installed.

A second generating component is also involved. Exhaust gas from the combustion turbines goes to a heat-recovery boiler that produces steam to turn three existing steam generators.

Approximately 87-ft.-long, 18-ft.-high, 6-ft.-high concrete foundations were built to hold the enclosure-contained turbines. Smaller foundations hold the heat recovery generators.

In total, approximately 40,000 cu. yds. of concrete was poured to hold the equipment.
Portable gantry cranes were brought in set the turbines on the foundations.

In addition to the foundations, two buildings were constructed, one to hold switchgear and the other to contain a water treatment facility.

Steel represents a major part of the project, also. More than 1,720 tons were used for structural steel, boiler duct, stack steel and pressure parts.

Sitework Issues

About 60,000 yds. of dirt was removed for the foundations.

Ash from ponds was used for structural fill, equipment lay down and construction parking, but it was difficult to achieve the right moisture content because of rain and other factors. The ash was spread and disked into furrows for drying.

The plant went on-line in June 2003 and has the capacity to produce about 300 MW of energy.

PSI Energy has other projects under way, including one at its Gibson Station in Owensville, Ind.

Return to Top of 2004 list