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As a cornerstone of the water and power industry in the Western United States, Reclamation continues to demonstrate its leadership in addressing critical safety challenges associated with hydroelectric power generation. Due to safety concerns associated with CO₂ fire suppression systems, Reclamation researched effective alternatives by designing an experiment that used a projectile to initiate a fault on one of our generators. 

Reclamation’s Research and Development Office, Canyon Ferry Powerplant and Technical Service Center, Victaulic Company, and the Centre for Energy Advancement through Technological Innovation (CEATI) partnered on a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to conduct a cutting-edge experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of hybrid fire extinguishing systems. Funding was provided by the Research and Development Office and CEATI while Victaulic provided the Victaulic Vortex™ Hybrid Fire Extinguishing System. This initiative underscores the CRADA partners’ commitment to improving safety. 

For more than 80 years, CO₂ has been the standard for protecting hydroelectric generators from fire. While effective, these systems pose significant asphyxiation and toxicity risks to personnel after discharge. After years of research, hybrid fire extinguishing systems, that use a mixture of inert gas and water were identified as the best possible candidate for a safer system. A hybrid fire extinguishing system uses a mix of nitrogen and water to extinguish fire by lowering temperatures and diluting oxygen, functioning similarly to CO₂ but without the safety concerns. Despite this benefit, the effectiveness of a hybrid fire extinguishing system was previously unproven in this application in real-world operating conditions.  

Canyon Ferry Powerplant was an ideal candidate for destructive testing because: 

• The generators were under contract for a rewind project that would replace any components damaged in testing. 
• The generators had previously experienced faults like the designed test fault without causing significant damage or injury 
• The 16 MW generator size and the original asphaltic windings were desirable characteristics for the experiment. 
• Powerplant, area office, and regional staff were supportive of the experiment. 

The results are promising as the Victaulic Vortex™ hybrid fire extinguishing system shows effectiveness in suppressing fires, paving the way for Reclamation and further industry adoption, as well as updates to fire safety standards. The research testing is a significant milestone for the hydropower industry, as it was the first time a hybrid fire extinguishing system was tested on an intentionally faulted hydroelectric generator.  

The collaborative nature of this research demonstrates Reclamation's history of strong partnerships within the industry and with other hydropower producers. The ongoing exploration of alternative fire suppression technologies exemplifies Reclamation's dedication to innovation, professionalism, and the well-being of its employees and the communities it serves. Through these efforts, Reclamation is enhancing the safety of its operations and setting a standard for the entire industry to follow.