Ever wondered where Los Angeles gets a significant portion of its power? That’s the LADWP Valley Generating Station. This natural gas fired power station is located in Sun Valley Los Angeles. It plays a vital role in providing electricity for the greater Los Angeles area.
The LADWP Valley Generating Station has a rich history. Its story began in 1953 when the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power built the Valley Steam Plant. The plant’s original purpose was simple. It provided electricity for a growing city. The initial cost was about $80 million. It was built on 150 acres in Sun Valley. The original plant used dual fuel boilers. These boilers could run on either gas or oil. It also had four steam turbines. These turbines generated a total of 512 MW of power.
Time marched on and Los Angeles needed more power. So between 2001 and 2004 the power station underwent a significant modernization. Two GE Frame 7FA combustion turbines were added. Also added were two Alstom heat recovery steam generators and a single GE steam turbine. With these upgrades the plant was renamed the LADWP Valley Generating Station. This modernization was a major part of the LADWP’s Integrated Resource Plan. The Los Angeles City Council approved this plan in 2000. The project was completed on April 30 2004.
Interestingly the site still houses the original turbine units. You can see their four tall stacks. These are now decommissioned relics of the past. The newer units six and seven have two smaller stacks. These are located directly east of the old units one through four. Demolition of the old units is underway as of July 2024. This includes the large red and white stacks.
In August 2020 the LADWP Valley Generating Station faced a challenge. A methane leak was detected. The South Coast Air Quality Management District learned of the leak on August 26. Inspectors were sent to the site. They detected methane emissions from the vents of two natural gas compressors.
The LADWP responded swiftly to the leak. Compressor A was taken offline. This reduced the methane leak by 60% as of August 28. Compressor A was disassembled. Its packing seals were replaced. After repairs the leakage rate significantly reduced. It went from about 90 kg/hour to 3 to 6 kg/hour. Repairs to compressor B were completed on September 5. This reduced its leak from 60 kg/hour to 12 kg/hour. Inspectors returned weekly to verify the repairs.
However it was revealed that the facility had been leaking methane gas for at least two years. City council president Nury Martinez expressed her fury. In November 2020 the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to create a timeline to shut down the plant. A class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of local residents. It sought financial damages and remedies.
Today the LADWP Valley Generating Station stands as a testament to Los Angeles’ evolving energy landscape. From its humble beginnings as the Valley Steam Plant to its modernization and the challenges it has faced the station continues to adapt. It shows the ongoing effort to power a sprawling metropolis.