The Ames City Council meeting on December 17, 2024, focused on a critical infrastructure issue regarding the city's combustion turbine, which failed earlier this year. The council discussed a proposed change order to purchase a replacement engine and lease an operational unit during the overhaul period.

City officials reported that the combustion turbine, which dates back to the 1970s, suffered a failure due to an inherent design flaw. The engine was sent for inspection, and the findings indicated that the damage was extensive. To address this, the city plans to acquire another engine of the same vintage, which will undergo modifications to prevent similar failures in the future. The overhaul process is expected to take four to six months.

During the meeting, officials emphasized the importance of the combustion turbine for the utility's operations. It has the capacity to generate 17 megawatts of power and is crucial for maintaining service during emergencies, such as blackouts. The city will lease an engine from the inspection company, Salzer Turbo Services, to ensure continuous power supply while the new engine is being prepared.

Council members raised concerns about the decision to invest in an older engine rather than pursuing a more modern alternative. However, city officials explained that the cost of a new unit would be significantly higher, estimated between $25 million and $30 million, compared to the $1.3 million required for the current plan. They assured the council that the older design, while dated, has proven reliability and can be effectively maintained.

The council is expected to vote on the proposed change order in the coming weeks, which will determine the next steps for the city's power generation capabilities.