Alliant Energy generating station projects win international awards

MADISON, Wis. and CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Oct. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Two generating stations operated by Alliant Energy have garnered international recognition for significant improvements made to their equipment and operations. The Columbia Energy Center near Portage, Wis. and the Ottumwa Generating Station in Ottumwa, Iowa have been recognized as 2015 Top Plants by POWER Magazine.

"The Columbia Energy Center and Ottumwa Generating Station are both tremendous success stories. They are innovative examples of how strategic investments can significantly improve the operations and emission profile of generating stations that are critical to providing reliable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible energy to our customers," said John Larsen, Alliant Energy's Senior Vice President of Business Development and Operations Support. "We are pleased that our employees' and our engineering and construction partners' hard work on these projects is being recognized. It's an honor that POWER Magazine named them Top Plants."

Columbia Energy Center was awarded Top Plant due to a modernization effort that includes several investments. The multi-faceted program started with air quality improvement technology completed on Units 1 and 2 in 2014 that is reducing sulfur dioxide and mercury by 90%.

It has continued with a long list of plant improvement projects like the replacement of both steam turbines and 12 pulverizers as well as other boiler improvements, which are expected to increase the plant's operating capacity by nearly 10% and reduce its heat rate. A final air quality improvement project that will reduce nitrogen oxide is planned for Unit 2.

The Top Plant award was bestowed on the Ottumwa Generating Station for two project areas. These included an air quality improvement technology installation that reduced sulfur dioxide and mercury by 90% as well as efficiency and reliability investments that improved safety, increased capacity, optimized heat rate and boosted reliability. A key part of the improvements was the modernization of the existing steam turbine, which included replacement of all four of the turbine rotors. By completing these projects, the facility's carbon footprint was also reduced by over 5%.

For over four decades, POWER magazine has honored the top performers in the electricity-generating industry with annual power plant awards. The publication is considered the definitive information source for the worldwide power generation market. The Columbia Energy Center and Ottumwa Generating Station are featured in POWER Magazine's October issue.

Alliant Energy Corporation (NYSE: LNT), headquartered in Madison, Wis., provides regulated electric and natural gas service to approximately 950,000 electric and 410,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver the energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company and Wisconsin Power and Light Company are Alliant Energy's two public utility subsidiaries. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com.

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SOURCE Alliant Energy Corporation

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