Objective Design and construction of a hydro-electric power station to utilise un-exploited hydro-electric potential.The plant will have a water flow rate of between 5 and 45 cubic meters/sec with a head of 2 to 5.5 metres producing 2100 kW of electricity. This represents an annual production of 9.28 GWh. The innovative aspects of the project are the use of a new concept to regulate the frequency of the turbine, and the use of water lubricated bearings for improved economy and reduced oil pollution.The project is based in particular on the realisation that the flow of the River Neckar has increased over the past decades.The centre-piece of the project will be a group of variable-speed hydro-electric alternators. These will produce a variable frequency supply which will be connected to the consumer grid through frequency converters.New control techniques will be used in pilot plant. Trials will take place to determine reference values for turbine speed and power. These references values will be used as the initial parameters for controlling the converter and turbine to produce optimal power output.Using this technique it will be possible to use variable speed turbines in a variety of locations resulting in higher annual production than using constant speed turbines.This is the first application of a turbine of this size with oil-free bearings. The bearings of the turbine are lubricated with treated water, the oil-bath normally used is eliminated.The innovative parts of the project are the following :- Variable-speed turbine.- Connection to the consumer grid, through current convertors, of a variable frequency supply. - New production control methods.- Application for the first time of a turbine of this size with oil-free bearings. Programme(s) ENG-THERMIE 1 - Programme (EEC) for the promotion of energy technology in Europe (THERMIE), 1990-1994 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme DEM - Demonstration contracts Coordinator NEYRPRIC MINIHYDRO EU contribution No data Address PONT DE ST. UZE 26240 SAINT BARTHEMEY DE VALS France See on map Total cost No data
