News

GRDA to begin Salina Pumped Storage modernization work

Feb 21, 2025

An aerial view of the Grand River Dam Authority’s Salina Pumped Storage Project. GRDA is set to begin a modernization and upgrade project on two of the hydroelectric pump-turbine units in the powerhouse. The facility has been in operation on the Saline Creek arm of Lake Hudson since 1968.

After more than half a century of service, two of the hydroelectric pump-turbine units at the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) Salina Pumped Storage Project (SPSP) are scheduled for upgrades and modernization. Research associated with that work may also benefit other pumped storage projects across the United States.

In October 2024, GRDA finalized an agreement with Litostroj, US, LLC to be the contractor on the work to be performed on Units 5 and 6 at the facility, located on the Saline Creek Arm of Lake Hudson, southeast of Salina, Oklahoma. Both units were originally installed in the late 1960s during the second phase of SPSP construction. Both have been in operation since 1972.

The SPSP is a pumped-storage hydroelectric project, which means each turbine can also be operated as a pump. At the SPSP, water is pumped uphill from Lake Hudson into the upper W.R. Holway Reservoir, where it is stored until it is needed for generation. At that time, the units operate in turbine mode and hydroelectricity is generated as the water flows from the upper reservoir back through the units. Because of this generation flexibility, the SPSP has always played an important role in GRDA’s efforts to balance system requirements and meet customer electricity demands. SPSP is Oklahoma’s only pumped-storage project, with a current capacity of 260 megawatts (MW), roughly 43 MW per each of its six units.

Although the units continue to operate well, the primary goal of the $56 million project is to better equip them to meet the needs of an evolving electric power grid. Modernization efforts will further enhance GRDA’s response to market conditions, improve unit efficiencies, increase flexibility of start/stop times, support ongoing reliability, and extend the operating life of the unit.

While the work will benefit the SPSP and GRDA’s plans for similar work on Units 1 through 4, the model tests on Units 5 and 6 will also be included in research that can be utilized across the industry, by other pumped storage operators considering unit modernization. The study will focus on unit improvements, as well as variable speed technology and hybrid generating plant upgrades, with battery support. Technical assistance from both the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and project partners will help to shape that research.

“Litostroj is proud to have been chosen to work with GRDA on the Salina modernization project and is looking forward to providing its customers upgraded pump storage units that will improve performance through greater efficiency and reliability,” said Litostroj Chief Executive Officer Trey Glenn. “Litostroj is also excited to participate in and support the DOE study to inform other pump storage facility owners in the United States.”

According to GRDA Vice President of Generation Engineering Steve Jacoby, the project is set to begin mid-February 2025.

“We look forward to this modernization effort and collaborating with these partners on the project to enhance not only our facility, but to help provide beneficial information to the nation’s hydroelectric industry,” said Jacoby.

This is one of several initiatives undertaken by GRDA to prepare for increasing electricity demands and system flexibility. Currently, GRDA is also constructing a 420MW gas generating unit at its Grand River Energy Center that will also bring these benefits to its generation portfolio.

“GRDA’s goal is to continue to deliver reliable, efficient electricity to our customers in the decades to come. This work at the SPSP, and our new Unit 4 gas turbine are vital parts of that effort,” said GRDA President/Chief Financial Officer Dan Sullivan.

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: employees, electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, and efficiency.