How can we reduce the “S-Shaped” characteristics (stability) of a hydraulic turbine while maintaining its high performance? This spring, SuperGrid Institute completed several months of testing on different turbine designs for Pumped Storage Power Plants (PSPP). This promising and extensive research, which aims to improve power network services (supply security, flexibility, efficiency, etc.), has helped us better understand the physical phenomena and water flow that take place within turbines. It has also enabled us to corroborate our Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation tools. A patent application was filed in September 2019 on this new technology.

Why do we stil need experimental test-rigs in hydraulic sciences? We use extensively computatinal sciences to estiate performances of runners. Although it is accurate, Computatinal Fluid Dynamics (CFD) need to be checked with experimental data especially for cavitatin and transients. For that reason when prototype machines are greater than 5 MW or larger than 3 m of diameter it is mandatory to estiate on reduced scaled model with a great accuracy performances according to IEC 60193.

Why do we stil need experimental test-rigs in hydraulic sciences? We use extensively computatinal sciences to estiate performances of runners. Although it is accurate, Computatinal Fluid Dynamics (CFD) need to be checked with experimental data especially for cavitatin and transients. For that reason when prototype machines are greater than 5 MW or larger than 3 m of diameter it is mandatory to estiate on reduced scaled model with a great accuracy performances according to IEC 60193.

Pumped Storage Plants (PSP) are the most reliable and well-known energy storage technology for high power applications. The needs of the future power network including DC transmission and intermittent power sources demand for fast responses from those storage plants. In order to face this new environment, the Variable Speed PSP (VarSpeed PSP) allows a faster response to the power grid.

Pumped Storage Plants (PSP) are the most reliable and well-known energy storage technology for high power applications. The needs of the future power network including DC transmission and intermittent power sources demand for fast responses from those storage plants. In order to face this new environment, the Variable Speed PSP (VarSpeed PSP) allows a faster response to the power grid.