In Focus
Scattergood Modernization – Facing the Future Today
by Leah McKenzie
As the City of Los Angeles continues to grow, so does the demand for more power and water. It takes research, dedication and the ability to look years ahead into the future to prepare for the complexities of this growing city. The Scattergood Generating Station Units 1 and 2 Green Hydrogen-Ready Modernization Project is a testament to LADWP’s leadership in adopting innovative solutions to meet L.A.’s growing needs. As the number one priority for LADWP’s Power System, this project aims to support the City of Los Angeles’ goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy while ensuring grid reliability.
Scattergood Generating Station
Located in Playa Del Rey, the Scattergood Generating Station serves as an additional power resource to LADWP customers in the west Los Angeles area. This transformative project will replace the generating capacity of existing Units 1 and 2, which are conventional natural-gas-fired steam-boiler generators originally commissioned in the late 1950s. These two units utilize ocean water for cooling to generate power. Due to the Statewide Once-Through Cooling Policy, this use of ocean water must be discontinued no later than December 31, 2029. This is a transformative and environmentally friendly direction for the environment.
Units 1 and 2 will be replaced with a combined-cycle generation system (CCGS) capable of operating on a fuel mixture of natural gas and a minimum of 30 percent hydrogen, resulting in a capacity of up to 346 megawatts. This reduction in the plant’s gas usage marks a significant step toward achieving 100 percent clean energy and represents a key milestone in developing a more sustainable future.
“We must consider the future so that we can be better prepared for what’s to come. Renewable energy is extremely important, but if we cannot deliver it to our customers in a reliable and cost-effective manner, then we have not done our job. This project has the future at its forefront, ensuring that generations to come have safe and reliable power.”
Nermina Rucic, LADWP Director of Power System Planning
Investing in a Renewable Future
Scheduled to be in service in 2029, the Scattergood Modernization Project is the first large-scale project in Southern California designed with green hydrogen capability. Various clean energy firm capacity technology options were considered, including geothermal, nuclear and hydroelectric. Ultimately, green hydrogen was identified as the most viable type of dispatchable generation that is renewably fueled. Green hydrogen has zero carbon-intensity, and the green hydrogen-ready system efficiently converts fuel into electricity in a safe, controlled manner.
“Green hydrogen is the most viable solution, as it meets the city’s goal to be 100% carbon-free by 2035 while ensuring the stability of our power system. We are leading the region’s transition to clean energy with a foundation that is based on reliability and affordability.”
Jason Rondou, LADWP Interim Assistant General Manager of Power Planning and Operations
The market has an accelerated focus on clean energy, a commitment to safety, and a developing landscape with supporting policies and funding, that will support the rapid advances in technology, production, and delivery of hydrogen. These efforts will help shape the future integration of green hydrogen into LADWP’s clean energy portfolio.
The Importance of a Reliable System
The Scattergood Generating Station is a vital asset in the power system. It provides dependable, local generation by bridging power shortfalls brought on by periods of extreme demand, earthquakes and wildfires.
The future calls for more power, as a seasonal mismatch of supply and demand is inevitable. The west Los Angeles area houses major infrastructure such as LAX, which is expanding rapidly, so the need for reliable and expanded generation is indisputable.
“When renewable energy cannot be imported and generation falls short of customer demand, having an in-basin energy resource to ensure that customers have reliable power is crucial. As LADWP diversifies our resource portfolio, we have to remain diligent that the reliability of our power system is not compromised. When complete, the Scattergood Generating Station Modernization Project will work as a safety net for unforeseeable circumstances.”
David Hanson, Senior Assistant General Manager – Power System
The Beginning Starts Now
The project aligns with the Department’s commitment to supporting a skilled, unionized workforce and is expected to require much of the same expertise and trades currently employed at LADWP. As LADWP continues to expand our energy portfolio by embracing technological advancements to build more resilient and sustainable power systems, the focus remains on keeping customers at the center of progress. This modernization project is an opportunity to push boundaries, embrace challenges, and prepare the right tools to meet whatever lies ahead.
For more information on the Scattergood Generating Station Units 1 and 2 Green Hydrogen-Ready Modernization Project, visit www.LADWP.com/ScattergoodModernization.
