AmerenUE Venice plant rebuilds
Cost estimates to rebuild the plant aren't final, but at this time, the company doesn't expect the fire to significantly affect its financial results, Naslund said.
"We met this adversity head on," he said. "We are using this as an opportunity to reassess the plant's needs and to provide a carefully planned return to service."
Jack Scott, Venice plant manager, said the assessment shows damage to the generation side of the plant appears to be limited to a single turbine-generator and related electrical system components and controls. Also, the fire destroyed four large transformers.
"On the positive side, it appears that two turbine-generators (with about 200 MW of capacity) rolled to a stop without damage," Scott said. "Three other turbine-generator units should be in good condition, as well. However, the substation will require modification before the units can operate."
Scott said plant personnel are checking and cleaning all electrical circuits associated with these units.
"We are optimistic that two of the plant's six generating units will be capable of operating by early next week. Power has been restored to the offices, water treatment plant, caisson 2, and the fourth section of the plant," he said. "In addition, major plant clean-up is underway."
Venice plant employees continue to report according to scheduled shifts. All 24 employees, who were in the plant when the fire broke out, escaped without serious injury.
The blaze started when a line supplying hydraulic oil to the plant's Unit 1 turbine ruptured at around 5:55 p.m. The oil ignited, and the fire spread to the electrical system. Firefighters contained the blaze by early evening, but two fires in isolated areas burned until the early hours of Friday morning.
Because of the fire's impact on power supplied to Venice substation, more than 8,000 AmerenUE customers lost power for a few hours; however, AmerenUE restored power to most of the customers by 11 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 10.
Underground crews worked through the night to restore power to the remaining customers—700 downtown St. Louis businesses and residents served by Cole Substation. Power was restored to those customers at around 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 11.
AmerenUE is a subsidiary of St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation. Ameren companies serve 1.5 million electric customers and 300,000 natural gas customers in a 44,500-square-mile area of Missouri and Illinois.
Edited by April C. Murelio
Power Online managing editor