Emerson Completes Major Modernization at Salt River Project Hydroelectric Dams to Boost Efficiency and Reliability
Emerson, a global leader in industrial technology and advanced automation solutions, has announced the successful completion of a multi-year modernization initiative at four hydroelectric dams operated by the Salt River Project (SRP) in Arizona. The modernization project focused on SRP’s Roosevelt, Horse Mesa, Mormon Flat, and Stewart Mountain dams, which collectively generate 265 megawatts of hydropower—enough electricity to supply more than 60,000 homes annually.
The project involved upgrading legacy excitation systems, a critical component of power generation, and fully integrating them with the existing distributed control systems at all four dams. By standardizing on Emerson’s Ovation™ Automation Platform and implementing advanced control strategies, SRP achieved significant operational improvements, including a 30% reduction in operations and maintenance costs and a 50% decrease in troubleshooting time. These enhancements ensure continuous operational reliability and strengthen overall grid performance. Enhanced system visibility also improves the efficiency of critical procedures such as startup and shutdown, helping avoid delays that could previously have doubled in duration.
Shari Brady, SRP Hydro electrical engineer, highlighted the importance of the project: “As the long-time operator of the Bureau of Reclamation’s dams, we have a responsibility to deliver reliable, clean, and continuous power that our communities depend on. By standardizing on Emerson’s fully unified Ovation automation platform across our hydro fleet—for both excitation and plant control—and through close collaboration with project teams, we were able to complete all system installations on time, even under aggressive schedules. This modernization gives us greater operational insight and simplified troubleshooting, helping us maintain unit reliability in the 90th percentile.”
The need for these upgrades is driven in part by the rapid growth in electricity demand in the Phoenix metropolitan area, coupled with extreme weather conditions that strain the energy supply. Investments in infrastructure, including generator excitation systems, are critical for SRP to meet these challenges and continue providing reliable electricity to its customers.
Bob Yeager, president of Emerson’s Power and Water business, noted the significance of the project: “Improving visibility and reliability in hydro operations allows the Salt River Project to maintain continuous operations, efficiently supplying customers with the power they rely on 24/7. SRP’s decision to standardize on a fully unified automation system represents a transformative step that will ensure their success, even as energy markets evolve and demand for electricity increases. This modernization positions SRP for decades of reliable operation and adaptability to future energy needs.”
A key element of the project was the installation of custom Ovation™ Excitation Systems, including two specialized systems for pump and energy storage units. These units require unique integration for switching to pump mode, and Emerson’s solution ensured seamless integration into the existing Ovation distributed control systems. The fully cohesive plant system enhances SRP’s hydroelectric capabilities, contributing to grid reliability while supporting the transition to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
Beyond technical performance improvements, SRP’s new, fully integrated automation platform simplifies operations and maintenance. Standardizing on a single platform allows the use of common spare parts, streamlines operator training, maintains familiarity with the system, and consolidates support under a single point of contact. This approach reduces complexity and ensures long-term sustainability for plant operations.
Emerson continues to provide extensive support and resources for the project, including through its global media channels, the Emerson Exchange 365 community, and dedicated Ovation Automation Platform pages on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR) is a global industrial technology leader delivering advanced automation solutions that optimize business performance. The company combines an extensive portfolio of intelligent devices, control systems, and industrial software with proven operational excellence to power the future of automation. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Emerson’s innovations help organizations worldwide enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in their operations.
With the completion of this modernization project, SRP now operates a fully integrated, state-of-the-art hydroelectric system that enhances energy efficiency, ensures reliability, and supports the growing demand for renewable energy in the region. The project underscores the importance of technology-driven modernization in meeting the evolving energy needs of communities while maintaining operational excellence.
