Rock Island's second powerhouse uses bulb-type hydro units

A general description is given of the electrical equipment of the Second Powerhouse of the Hock Island Hydro Plant on the Columbia River near Wenatchee, Washington. The eight turbine-generators will be bulb-type construction, the first of their kind in the United States, where the turbines and generators will be located completely submerged in the river. Unique features will be horizontal shaft arrangement, pressurized air generator cooling, low inertia constant, and brushless excitation. The powerhouse design will include remote automatic control and loading by computer using microwave channels. The new powerhouse is now under construction with commercial operation of the first unit to start in the autumn of 1977.