New Avista Well House Pump Station

Water for biomass fuel generation boilers.

Kettle Falls, WA January 2015

Avista Utilities’ Kettle Falls Generating Station, a pioneering wood waste-fired power plant built in 1983, stands as a testament to sustainable energy generation. Consuming approximately 500,000 tons of wood waste annually, the facility generates 53 megawatts of electricity from biomass and an additional 8 MW from a natural gas turbine, totaling 61 MW—enough to power nearly 46,000 homes. Recognized for its environmental stewardship and innovation, Kettle Falls has received numerous accolades, including POWER’s Energy Conservation Award and induction into the Power Plant Hall of Fame. The plant effectively addresses the issue of wood waste disposal, eliminating the need for open-air burning and significantly reducing air pollution.  

The Kettle Falls plant utilizes a seven-story furnace/boiler to burn wood waste, generating superheated steam that drives a turbine and generator. Maintaining an optimal burning temperature of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit produces steam at 950 degrees, maximizing energy conversion. ControlFreek Inc. recently contributed to the plant’s infrastructure by providing controls for a newly constructed well house pump station, ensuring a reliable water supply for the boilers.


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