Holcomb Station

Construction

Holcomb Station was built to provide a reliable, economic, and environmentally responsible source of electric power for western Kansas. After design approvals from the Kansas Corporation Commission and the federal Rural Utilities Service, site work started in May 1980. The Holcomb unit, H1, was declared to be in commercial operation on August 16, 1983. The facility was completed on time and on budget at a total cost of approximately $465 million.

Operation

H1 burns low-sulfur coal mined in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, which is shipped to the station by rail. Once on site, the coal is tested and stockpiled. When reclaimed into the unit, coal is ground into a powder finer than talcum powder and burned in the furnace. The intense heat released inside the furnace is absorbed by pure water circulating inside steel tubes that converts the water into steam. This high-pressure, high-temperature steam is directed into the unit’s steam turbine, causing its rotor to spin at a high speed, turning the generator and producing electric power. Exhaust steam from the turbine enters a condenser to be cooled and returned to a liquid state so a series of powerful pumps can deliver the water back to the furnace to continue the process of producing reliable, clean electric power. Sunflower’s transmission network carries electricity produced at H1 to the six Member cooperatives who own Sunflower for distribution to their electric customers. H1 is Sunflower’s primary base load generation resource.

Environmental Controls

Protecting the environment has always been a top priority for Sunflower. H1 is equipped with extensive water and air quality control systems, the cost of which accounted for approximately one-fourth of the total original construction cost of the facility. Sunflower’s skilled operating staff uses this equipment to ensure the facility is continuously operated in a manner to meet or exceed all requirements of the facility’s environmental permits.

Water Quality

H1 is designed and operated as a "zero discharge" facility. Wastewater from operation of the facility is captured in lined storage basins, eliminating the possibility of contaminating area ground water. These captured wastewaters are also processed and reintroduced into unit systems, making the facility very water efficient. Six industrial water wells located on Sunflower’s property provide the water necessary to operate the facility. All water used is closely measured and reported to ensure optimal efficiency of the station systems.

Air Quality

H1 is configured with a "dry scrubber," which is a sulfur dioxide removal system. Inside the scrubber, alkali slurry is sprayed in a fine mist into the furnace exhaust gases to efficiently mix and react with the small amount of sulfur in the coal combustion gases. This chemical reaction forms solid particles of calcium sulfate that are captured in the unit’s fabric filter baghouse along with more than 99.98% of fly ash produced. These solid waste materials are permanently disposed in a dry, dedicated landfill located on station property. The treated exhaust is continuously monitored to ensure compliance with the unit’s strict environmental permits and exits through the unit’s 474 ft. main stack. After more than 25 years of service, H1 still has among the lowest sulfur dioxide emission rates in the nation among coal-fired units.

Holcomb Tours

Holcomb Station is a man-made marvel without peer in western Kansas. The 71,000-square-ft. main building climbs 232 ft. above the gently rolling plains, and the boiler chimney soars to a breathtaking 474 ft.. The imposing presence of Holcomb Station dominates the horizon for miles in every direction, capturing the imagination of all who look its way.

However, you don’t have to be satisfied with looking from a distance. Visitors are welcome to tour the 362-megawatt, coal-fired generating station. Sunflower’s Holcomb Station employees are happy to show off their technically advanced, amazingly clean and environmentally safe facility to students, civic organizations, families, and other interested groups or individuals. To schedule a tour, call Holcomb Station at (620) 277-2590.Click here for more information regarding tour guidelines.