Upgrading projects utilise the technological progress made since the power plants first commissioning, or since the last refurbishment. The combined effect of improved technology, design and materials result in increased output and efficiency, lower losses, better reliability and an extended operation life.
Modernization projects comprise additionally the replacement of obsolete and worn control systems by equipment of latest technology. In this way, an aged power plant can be operated with the same performance as a new plant.
Modernization Targets:
- The main target for hydro power plant modernization is improvement of the return of investment:
- Increase plant availability and reliability
- Solve operating problems
- Reduce OM costs
- Reduce environmental impact
- Increase plant lifetime and safety
- Additional energy production
- Changes in operation management of hydrologic conditions
- Renovation for remote control measures
Systematic Approach
The challenge of modernization consists in the definition of the extent to which existing components have to be replaced or modified in order to achieve the biggest energy production improvement.
Modernization Generator
Due to the different operational stresses such as thermal cycles, vibrations, overvoltages, etc. the different generator components undergo an aging process and have to sustain a certain amount of wear and tear with every start / stop cycle. Extensive cost / benefit analysis which enable power utility executives to identify the most financial attractive modernization scenario.
Modernization Turbine
Power output of a hydropower plant can be increased by efficiency improvement and/or flow increase. Extensive cost / benefit analysis which enable power utility executives to identify the most financial attractive modernization scenario.
Modernization ACP
The implementation of state of the automation, control and protection equipment offers cost reduction and operational advantages, for example by new governors, faster excitation or digital protection. Extensive cost / benefit analysis which enable power utility executives to identify the most financial attractive modernization scenario.
Modernization Governor
It is advisable not to forget that the turbine governor is a key element of a hydroelectric power plant. Indeed, any failure of the governor inevitably involves an unavailability of the unit, thus a lack of production. Extensive cost / benefit analysis which enable power utility executives to identify the most financial attractive modernization scenario.
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