GenOn Energy, Inc. _ Bowline 3 and Lovett ... - Energy Highway

GenOn will procure state-of-the-art combustion turbines, heat recovery steam generators,
steam turbine, air cooled condenser, and balance-of-plant equipment for the construction
of Bowline 3. These technologies are widely available in the marketplace and have strong,
well-documented performance track records. GenOn will seek to utilize qualified providers
of equipment, materials and services located in the new York State region where possible
and practical.
pRoject justIfIcatIon
Bowline 3 addresses key objectives and goals of the new York Energy Highway initiative as
enumerated in the RFI.
1. OBJECTIVE: Reduce constraints on the flow of electricity to, and within, the downstate
area; and expand the diversity of power generation sources supplying downstate.
Assure that long-term reliability of the electric system is maintained in the face of
major system uncertainties.
Downstate new York, and the Lower Hudson Valley in particular, faces the possibility
of significant near-term retirements of generating capacity due to weak market con-
ditions and pending environmental regulations. These retirements threaten to jeopardize
electric grid reliability in this critically important region of new York's bulk electrical
system. Bowline 3, as an efficient CCGT facility capable of operating at a high
capacity factor, will provide the replacement voltage support and power necessary to
deliver safe and affordable grid reliability in the Lower Hudson Valley region. maintaining
voltage levels in the Lower Hudson Valley is critical to optimizing new York’s ability
to transfer energy efficiently to, and within, the downstate region, which is the largest
driver of the statewide economy.
2. OBJECTIVE: Encourage development of utility-scale renewable generation resources
throughout the State.
As new York adds more renewable generation, the intermittent nature of these power
resources will create challenges for system operators seeking to maintain a constant
balance between load and generation. In this instance, the burden of maintaining
system reliability will fall increasingly on the flexible operation of well-located thermal
generation units. Bowline 3, as a state-of-the-art CCGT unit, will provide operational
flexibility and load-following capability that will contribute to safe and affordable grid
reliability and facilitate the transfer of renewable energy to the downstate region. This
capability will be especially critical if high capacity factor, baseload generation units
currently serving the downstate region are removed from the generation mix.
3. OBJECTIVE: Increase efficiency of power generation, especially in densely populated
urban areas.
As a CCGT unit with an ISO heat rate of approximately 6,800 mmBtu/kwh and designed
to burn low-cost natural gas, Bowline 3 will be much more efficient and environmentally
friendly than the older, less efficient gas/oil boiler units, which constitute
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