The new turbine electric generator at the International Paper mill in Bucksport. Crews from General Electric, which built the turbine and generator on site, started the 174-megawatt system Thursday afternoon and tied into the New England power grid later that day. Although it will be another month before the new power supply is completely tied into the mill operation, it has been supplying 15 to 20 megawatts to the plant. On Thursday and Friday, the system underwent initial tests and cleaning of the steam pipes in the new system, called blowing steam. According to Glenn Poole, IP s energy manager at the mill, the process involves running the steam generated by the turbine through the new pipes to ensure that there are no unwanted particles metal particles still inside.
Crews insert a brass target inside the pipes and check it periodically.
If it s pitted, then we know that there s still something inside, Poole said. The test, which vented the steam into the air, created a misty rainfall around the mill. The force of the escaping steam reverberated throughout the mill area and beyond, prompting some residents to complain to the mill. Although tests began on Thursday afternoon, IP spokesman Keith Cunningham said, crews shut the turbine down by 4 p.m. and started it again Friday morning. We ve done everything we can to minimize the impact of this test, Cunningham said.