Hydroelectric Generators
- Safe Harbor Dam, PA - The Safe Harbor Dam has two 28 MW, single phase, turbines dedicated to 25 Hz power generation. A 25 MW bi-directional motor generator type frequency converter is also installed. The total 25 Hz capacity of the dam is 81 MW. Power from Safe Harbor is transmitted via the Conestoga substation to Royalton, Pennsylvania, Parkesburg, Pennsylvania (two circuits), and Perryville, Maryland (four circuits) where it is fed into the lineside 138 kV network.
The 25 Hz machines at the dam are scheduled by Amtrak but owned and operated by Safe Harbor Water Power Company. Amtrak typically uses this source as a peaking power source, similarly to most hydroelectric plants in the US. Like other hydroelectric plants, it also has excellent black start capability. This was most recently demonstrated during the 2006 blackout. After a cascade shutdown of converters had left the network de-energized, it was recovered using Safe Harbor's generators, and the other converters subsequently brought back online.
During the twelve-month period ending August 2009, Safe Harbor supplied about 133 GWh of energy to the Amtrak substation at Perryville. Typically, two thirds of the Safe Harbor output is routed through Perryville, the remainder being sent through Harrisburg or Parkesburg. This suggests that Safe Harbor supplies around 200 GWh of energy annually into the 25 Hz network. 39°55′36″N 76°23′6″W / 39.92667°N 76.38500°W / 39.92667; -76.38500 (Safe Harbor Dam Power Plant)
Read more about this topic: Amtrak's 25 Hz Traction Power System, Power Sources