Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Colbert Fossil Plant
Photographed By Sandra Hughes Tidwell, May 20, 2024
1. Colbert Fossil Plant Marker
Tandem-Compound Turbine Rotor
This turbine rotor was installed in 1954 at TVA's Colbert Fossil Plant near Tuscumbia, Alabama. For almost 60 years, high-pressure steam turned the rotor to generate electricity to power Tennessee Valley homes. In 2013, the housing of this rotor was idled; TVA fully retired the Colbert Fossil Plant (with four sister units) in March 2016. While in operation, the rotor at the Colbert Fossil Plant could generate about 1,000 megawatts or enough energy to meet the needs of 580,000 homes.
Making Energy
• Manufacturer - General Electric
• Weight - Rotor 43,370 lbs., Total weight of cradle, lifting beam, and rotor 74,499 lbs.
• Dimensions - Length 24'6", Width 8'8", Height 11'6", Normal operating RPMs - 3,600 RPM
• Construction - Solid alloy steel forgings in three sections
Coal-Fired Steam Plant
In this type of plant, electricity is made by burning coal, which heats water in a boiler to create steam. The steam, under high pressure, flows through the turbine which spins a generator to make electricity. The electricity is then sent to consumers across power lines.
Other Turbines Used for Power Generation
Nuclear power plants can also use large turbines. Boiling-water reactors turn water into steam in the reactor core,
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Captions
This steam turbine is from Unit 5 of the Colbert Fossil Plant.
Source: TVA
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.
Location. 34° 42.636′ N, 86° 39.319′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. Marker is on Tranquility Base west of Old Madison Pike. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville AL 35805, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. TVA Coverage Area (here, next to this marker); Space Shuttle Main Engine/RS-25 (a few steps from this marker); Cosmic Apple Tree (a few steps from this marker); NASA Lunar Module (LM) (within shouting distance of this marker); Cernan • Evans • Schmitt (within shouting distance of this marker); Young • Mattingly • Duke (within shouting distance of this marker); Scott • Worden • Irwin (within shouting distance of this marker); Shepard • Roosa • Mitchell (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes Tidwell, May 20, 2024
2. Colbert Fossil Plant Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 51 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
