The Benefits of Variable Speed Operation in Hydropower Plants Driven by Francis Turbines

Edson Bortoni, Zulcy de Souza, Augusto Viana, Helcio Villa-Nova, Ângelo Rezek, Luciano Pinto, Roberto Siniscalchi, Rafael Bragança and José Bernardes
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Edson Bortoni: Electric and Energy Systems Institute, Itajubá Federal University, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil
Zulcy de Souza: Institute of Natural Resources, Itajubá Federal University, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil
Augusto Viana: Institute of Natural Resources, Itajubá Federal University, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil
Helcio Villa-Nova: Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Itajubá Federal University, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil
Ângelo Rezek: Electric and Energy Systems Institute, Itajubá Federal University, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil
Luciano Pinto: Generation Projects Implementation Department, Furnas Centrais Elétricas, Goiânia 74923-650, Brazil
Roberto Siniscalchi: Minas Production Department, Furnas Centrais Elétricas, São José da Barra 37945-970, Brazil
Rafael Bragança: Electric and Energy Systems Institute, Itajubá Federal University, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil
José Bernardes: Electric and Energy Systems Institute, Itajubá Federal University, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: Climate change and environmental degradation has resulted in a reduction in water inflow at hydropower plants, as well as a decrease in reservoir levels. Existing hydropower plants suffer from water head reduction, mainly with decrease in efficiency of energy conversion in hydro turbines. This paper showcases the benefits of operations with variable speed in existing hydropower plants, when working at a lower water head than the rated one. Theoretical analyses and tests were performed in a special constructed laboratorial setup aiming at evaluating the amount of efficiency recovery with variable speed operation. Connection alternatives for a constant frequency grid and applications of the learned concepts in an existent hydropower plant are presented. The investigations were applied to the Furnas hydropower plant. The results point out that economic feasibility of the application can be achieved.

Keywords: Hydropower plants; Francis turbine; variable speed operation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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