Technology and Innovation

Customer benefit thanks to innovation

Our widely based research effort – also in Cooperation with international partners – keeps us on the front line of innovation to market maturity. Here are some typical examples:

VPI high-voltage generator insulation

Thanks to our generator expertise we have significantly improved dielectric characteristics for high voltage insulation – an important factor in hydro plant service or modernization. This makes our insulation much thinner than in conventional systems without sacrificing reliability, thus enabling larger copper winding cross-sections, lower losses and corresponding higher output or efficiency.

MicroGuss ™

The innovative MicroGuss ™ process makes Pelton turbine runner production much faster than by conventional casting methods. The fully NC-milled bucket (even in the root zone) guarantees precise reproduction of the optimal hydraulic contour. And by using forged steel for the most highly stressed component, the runner disk, operating life is significantly increased. As of end 2005, more than 277 MicroGuss™ Pelton runners had been ordered, over 230 of which already in service. These had accumulated more than one million operating hours without any sign of crack formation.

Elastic winding beddings (EWB)

ANDRITZ HYDRO has developed a system for the permanently elastic embedment of high-voltage windings in stator and rotor cores, using a highly conductive elastomer material. With high reliability, this offers the following advantages over conventional systems:

• No more loose windings as with conventional ripple-spring technology
• Free thermal expansion of stator windings according to load
• Good thermal and electrical conductivity between windings and core
• High heat resistance
• Permanent elasticity

Protective coating SXH70 ™

ANDRITZ  HYDRO has comprehensive expertise in minimizing wear and tear on hydro machinery. For your hydro power plant this means far longer service intervals, and much slower efficiency decline. Thanks to our sophisticated numerical analysis methods, we can tell you in advance how much wear to expect on new machinery or components.

Parts to be coated:

• Pelton turbine parts: runner bucket, injector nozzle and nozzle ring
• Francis and Pump turbine parts: runner, guide vane, labyrinth ring, facing ring, turbine cover
• Kaplan parts: runner blade, runner tip, guide vane