The expansion of renewable energy in Kansas has led to a shift in the role of Westar’s Hutchinson Energy Center and a massive $25 million upgrade.
Most of the changes are not noticeable to motorists passing by the longtime electrical generation plant, since they involve primarily retrofitting diesel-powered turbines housed in relatively low-slung tan buildings near the back of the 144-acre property to run off natural gas and biofuels, The Hutchinson News reported.
However, they’ll become quite apparent in the coming months as the company works to demolish and remove the massive cooling towers and original steam generation plant closer to 30th Avenue. The Hutchinson plant, which first started in 1949, has undergone several expansions and upgrades over the decades. The current power units were installed in the 1970s. The center has served as a “peak energy” plant for years, only providing power during periods of highest electrical demand in the state.
Today, it serves as an instant-demand plant to provide power primarily when generation from Western Kansas wind farms is slowed, explained Casey Bough, senior director for Renewables, Gas and Oil Fleet for Westar Energy, during a ribbon-cutting last Wednesday, July 25, for new offices at the Hutchinson center.
Westar now draws about a third of its power from wind and solar.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)