Design features of the Bad Creek pumped storage project generatorsmotors

The four pumped-storage generator/motors for the Bad Creek project in Oconee County, SC, are distributed. Consideration is given to the general unit construction, the cooling system, the thrust bearing, and the structural design. The most unique design aspect of these units is the arrangement of the forced fan ventilation system, which uses twenty motor-driven fans to direct air in very controlled paths. The adequacy of the system was verified by prototype laboratory testing. Field testing is planned to verify the system and machine efficiencies at the time of unit startup