HRW 20090301 Mar 2009

MBATING SILT EROSION CO 28
REENHOUSE GAS RESEARCH 36

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Waterpower XVI
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Connecting The Worldwide Hydro Community March 2009
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________________
March 2009 / HRW 1
Viewpoint
The Upside of a Downturn
The recent turmoil in the worlds fnancial and commodity markets may
turn out to be very good news for hydropower.
During 2008, hydro development and construction activities were se-
riously afected by rapidly rising prices for steel, cement, fuel, and other
essentials.
The bubble of these rising costs has now burst best signaled, perhaps,
by the spiking of oil prices in July 2008 and their subsequent decline to
barely one-fourth of peak prices. Many of the raw materials needed for
hydro plant construction are now available at bargain prices.
Moreover, the chaos in world fnancial markets has created a clamor
for safety on the part of investors and a massive withdrawal of funds from
traditional stocks and equities. This has led to a huge fow of funds into
fxed-income-type investments, further leading to very low interest rates
for high-quality borrowers i.e., those who can give high levels of assur-
ance for their repayment of debt. Owing to hydros typical need for large
amounts of borrowed capital, this opportunity to obtain low-cost funds
could be highly advantageous.
In this milieu, electricity continues to be a valuable product. Many
regions remain short of power in some cases, critically so and local
electricity markets would support the infusion of additional, economical
hydropower.
Further, the clamor continues for power that is domestically-produced,
renewable, and climate-friendly all qualities inherent to hydro.
In a time of economic slowdown, hydropower projects ofer govern-
ments an excellent opportunity to provide jobs, economic stimulus, and
future well-being for their countries. An example of this is the United
States iconic 2,080-MW Hoover Dam. At the time it was built, it was the
largest public works project ever undertaken in the country and was seen
primarily as a public works project to create construction jobs as an
antidote to the 1930s Great Depression. Yet, the low-cost, highly aford-
able electricity it produced (and still produces more than 70 years later)
provided, and provides, stimulus to the economy of a large region.
Editor Emeritus
Now brought to you by PennWell!
You may note, above, the new title that replaces my former title of edi-
tor-in-chief. In late 2008, PennWell Corporation acquired HRW, along
with other entities (including Hydro Review magazine and the Waterpow-
er and HydroVision conferences) previously published and produced by
HCI Publications. PennWells acquisition adds a hydropower portfolio
to its other magazines, conferences, and products, many of which serve
the electric power business. Most of HCIs former staf are continuing
with PennWell. Leslie Eden, formerly the publisher, and I are serving as
consultants.
Vol. 17, No. 1, March 2009
1421 South Sheridan Road
Tulsa, OK 74112
P.O. Box 1260, Tulsa, OK 74101
Telephone: (918) 835-3161
Fax: (918) 831-9834
E-mail: hydroreview@pennwell.com
World Wide Web: http://www.hcipub.com
CHIEF EDITOR Marla Barnes
(816) 931-1311, ext.106 marlab@pennwell.com
SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR John Braden
(816) 931-1311, ext.123 johnb@pennwell.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Elizabeth Ingram
(816) 931-1311, ext.125 elizabethi@pennwell.com
SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR Will Dickinson
(816) 931-1311, ext.117 willd@pennwell.com
PRESENTATION EDITOR Kermit Mulkins
(918) 831-9554 kermitm@pennwell.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR James L. Gordon, BSc
CONSULTANTS/ADVISORS Leslie Eden and Carl Vansant
SUBSCRIBER SERVICE
P.O. Box 3271, Northbrook, IL 60065
Phone: (847) 559-7501
Fax: (847) 291-4816
E-mail: poe@omeda.com
MARKETING MANAGER Ashley Wood
(918) 832-9326 ashleyw@pennwell.com
SR. VP, POWER GENERATION Richard G. Baker
(918) 831-9187 richardb@pennwell.com
SALES DIRECTOR Howard Lutzk
(816) 931-1311, ext.109 howardl@pennwell.com
SALES EXECUTIVE Tom OConnor
(816) 931-1311, ext.110 tomo@pennwell.com
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS PennWell Corp.
1421 S. Sheridan Road, Tulsa, OK 74112
Telephone: (918) 835-3161
CHAIRMAN Frank T. Lauinger
PRESIDENT/CEO Robert F. Biolchini
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Mark C. Wilmoth
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Emily Martha Martin
SR. VP, AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT & BOOK PUBLISHING Gloria Adams
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Charlie Cole
PRODUCTION MANAGER Dorothy Davis
HRW (ISSN 1072-9542) is published six times in March, May, June, August,
October, and December by PennWell Corp., 1421 S. Sheridan Rd., Tulsa, OK
74112; phone (918) 835-3161. Printed in U.S.A. Canadian GST Registration
Number 12681 3153 RT0001. Canada Post International Publications Mail
Product (Canadian Distribution) Publications Agreement No. 40029359. @
Copyright 2009 by PennWell Corp. (Registered in U.S. Patent Trademark Ofce).
No part of this periodical may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher.
Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or
personal use of specic clients, is granted by HRW, ISSN 1072-9542, provided that
the appropriate fee is paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood
Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA 508-750-8400. Prior to photocopying items
for educational classroom use, please contact Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA 508-750-8400. Periodicals postage
paid at Tulsa, OK and additional mailing ofces. Annual subscription rate: US$44
per year. Single copies: US$20. Payments accepted in U.S. funds only. HRW is a
subscriber to Reuters and Business News Americas news services and incorporates
their copy in its news columns. POSTMASTER: Send change of address, other
circulation information to HYDRO REVIEW, PO Box 3264, Northbrook, IL 60065-
3264. HRW is a registered trademark of PennWell Corp. Return undeliverable
Canadian addresses to P.O. Box 122, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6S4.
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. GST NO. 12681 3153 RT0001
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Member: BPA International

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2 HRW / March 2009 www.hcipub.com
MARCH 2009
COVER STORY
18 Dam Design
and Construction
Nine Big Dams!
A look at ongoing development of nine of
the worlds tallest dams provides examples of
design, excavation, and construction work
occurring in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and
the Middle East.
ARTICLES
28 Combating Silt Erosion in Hydraulic Turbines
By John H. Gummer
Some of the most attractive hydro sites are plagued by silt.While silt erosion of hydraulic turbines at these
sites can be managed, further work is needed to better predict and control this erosion.
36 Filling the Knowledge Gap: Greenhouse Gas Research
By Joel Avruch Goldenfum
The International Hydropower Association is developing methods for accurately measuring emissions
from reservoirs as well as providing guidance for how to mitigate emissions at vulnerable sites.
38 New Tool Aids in Turbine Selection Process
By James L. Gordon and John P. Christensen
An online tool, called HydroHelp 1, aids project developers in the work of choosing the best combination
of turbine and powerhouse design for a site. More than 100 developers have used this tool.
DEPARTMENTS
ADVISORY BOARD
H. Irfan Aker
Dolsar Engineering
Limited, Turkey
Ian M. Cook
ICCL, United
Kingdom
Chris Head
Chris Head & Associates
United Kingdom
Leonard B. Kassana
East African Tea
Trade Association
Kenya
Peter Thomas Mulvihill
Pioneer Generation, Ltd.
New Zealand
Raghunath Gopal
(R.G.) Vartak
AFCONS Infrastructure
Limited, India
Emmanuel
Antwi-Darkwa
Volta River Authority
Ghana
Arturo Gil
Garcia
Iberdrola
Generation
Spain
Liu Heng
International Network on
Small Hydropower
(IN-SHP), People's
Republic of China
Carlos Alberto Knakiewicz
Itaipu Binacional
Brazil
Montri Suwanmontri, PhD
Dr. Montris & Associates
Thailand
Luis C. Vintimilla
Consulting Engineer
Ecuador
Zhang Boting
Chinese Society for
Hydropower Engineering
People's Republic of
China
Roger Gill
Hydro Focus
Pty. Ltd.
Australia
Zhang Jinsheng
China Yangtze
Three Gorges Project
People's Republic of
China
Dr. Terry Moss
Eskom Generation
South Africa
C.V.J. Varma
Council of Power Utilities
and The Dams Society
India
James Yang, PhD
Vattenfall Research
and Development AB
Sweden
1 Viewpoint:
The Upside of a Downturn
4 Briengs
44 Ideas in Action: Innovations
in Placing Reservoir Lining Save
Time and Money
46 Tech Notes
48 New Hydro
52 Small Hydro
62 Calendar
64 Index to Advertisers
44
Peer Reviewed
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OUR WORLD LEADING TECHNOLOGY
WILL HELP YOU CONVERT EVERY DROP
INTO EFFICIENT HYDROPOWER
In a crowded market, to stay competitive your hydropower plant needs to run at peak performance
whenever you need it. Alstom is the expert in building new and refurbishing old hydropower plants.
Using our advanced technology, well breathe new life into your plant - delivering you a higher
output of clean, renewable and flexible energy, with better reliability and efficiency. Or as we say,
hydro efficiency.
To learnmore, visit www.power.alstom.com
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PennWell acquires assets of HCI
PennWell Corp., a diversifed global information company, announced it acquired the assets
of HCI Publications Inc., a Kansas City, Mo., U.S.-based producer of magazines, confer-
ences, and exhibitions serving the hydroelectric industry.
HCI assets include Hydro Review and HRW magazines, the Internet-based hydropower
news service HydroNews.net, the HydroVision and Waterpower conferences and exhibi-
tions, and other hydropower-related research and information products.
Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.
The owners of HCI Publications, Leslie Eden and Carl Vansant, will serve
as consultants to PennWell. Additionally, seven HCI editorial and sales em-
ployees joined PennWell, continuing to work from the Kansas City of ces.
Oklahoma-based PennWell will manage the business from its headquarters in Tulsa un-
der Richard Baker, Senior Vice President, Power Generation.
PennWell is pleased to add these outstanding publications and events to our ex-
panding renewable energy portfolio since hydropower is an essential vertical exten-
sion for our renewable energy franchise, PennWell President and Chief Executive
Of cer Robert F. Biolchini said.
HCI President Leslie Eden expressed conf idence in PennWel l as the best home
for growth of the publications and events. We are honored that PennWell, as the
worlds leading and most respected provider of information to multiple energy markets,
will advance the international reach and development of our products and services for
hydropower, Eden said.
ICOLD, global agencies issue Africa dams, hydro declaration
The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) and other international agen-
cies are urging lenders to work with African nations to undertake hydropower devel-
opment on a large scale. Conditions are now ripe for hydropower development in
Africa and this is a period of unique opportunity, the World Declaration on Dams
and Hydropower for African Sustainable Development said.
The declaration was approved at ICOLDs 80th anniversary celebration in Paris in No-
vember 2008. Other signatories were the African Union; Union of Producers, Transporters,
and Distributors of Electric Power in Africa; the World Energy Council; the International
Commission on Irrigation and Drainage; and the International Hydropower Association.
We call on multilateral and bilateral funding agencies to engage with African coun-
tries on hydropower development, promoting national and regional project development
facilities and innovative funding mechanisms, the declaration said.
The groups said governments, fnancing agencies, and industry have developed policies,
frameworks, and guidelines for evaluation and mitigation of environmental and social efects,
and for addressing concerns of vulnerable communities afected by hydropower development.
We call upon governments to recognize the need to plan hydropower developments
in a river basin context against the background of the full range of alternatives for energy
production, the document said. Planning should give due weight to environmental and
social factors, as well as economic and fnancial factors.
Site change
delays Zambias
750-MW Kafue
Lower
A unit of the World Bank
says construction of the 750-
MW Kafue Gorge Lower
hydroelectric project wil l
be delayed several months
due to technical diff iculties
with the initial project site
on Zambias Kafue River.
Saleem Karimjee, South
African region manager for
the banks International Fi-
nance Corp. (IFC), said Ka-
fue Gorge Lower had been
scheduled for construction
in 2009 but would be de-
layed because it needed to
change sites.
Our team has discov-
ered that the site that has
been planned for a long time
is technical ly more complex
than the site which is a few
hundred meters down-
stream, (which) has now
been selected and agreed
upon, Karimjee said.
We cant start the tech-
nical works until the rains
stop and if we are lucky it
is going to be somewhere in
March or April before geo-
technical work can be done,
and that has set us back a few
months unfortunately, Ka-
rimjee said.
IFC had tentatively been
scheduled to complete a fea-
sibility study of the US$1.5
bil lion project by the end of
2008. Now, energy experts
say a detailed feasibility
study wil l last nine months.
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The declaration said Africa exploits only 4 percent of its fresh water, with only 40 percent
of the rural population having potable and safe water supply. Less than 7 percent of hydropow-
er has been developed, with 65 percent of the population not having access to electricity.
International Renewable Energy Agency formed
Delegations from more than 100 world governments met January 26 in Bonn, Germany, for the
formal signing of a statute to create the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The international organization, initiated by Germany with the support of Spain and Den-
mark, is intended to close the gap between the worlds large renewable energy potential and
its current relatively low market share in energy consumption.
There is such great potential in solar, wind, and hydropower, geothermal en-
ergy, and biomass that they can cover the energy needs of a global population rising
to over 9 bil lion people, German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said, in
welcoming the delegates. Furthermore, their use can be decentralized, thus bring-
ing energy and development opportunities to isolated regions.
The main work of IRENA will be to advise its members on creating the right frame-
works, building capacity, and improving fnancing and the transfer of technology for re-
newable energies.
Many countries have recognized the opportunities which renewable energies
offer for climate protection, security of supply, economic growth, and employ-
ment, Gabriel said. IRENA gives renewables an international voice and political
impetus. The agency wil l be the global platform for renewable energies.
The IRENA Preparatory Commission is to convene for the frst time to decide on the
agencys initial steps. Signatories of IRENA will be invited to submit applications for an in-
terim headquarters and nominations for an interim director-general until April 30. In June,
the commission is to choose an interim headquarters and director.
For information, see IRENAs Internet site, www.irena.org, or contact the agen-
cy by e-mail at info@irena.org.
Portugal awards 1,134-MW Alto Tamega concession
Spanish utility Iberdrola won a concession to build and operate four hydroelectric plants
totaling 1,134 MW on Portugals Alto Tamega River. The company said it plans to earmark
1.7 billion euros (US$2.2 billion) for the work.
Of cials signed a contract to build and operate the projects during a ceremony January 23 in the
town of Chaves, Portugal, near the site of the new hydro plants. Portugal Prime Minister Jose
Socrates and Iberdrola Chairman Ignacio Galan signed a contract for the project at the event.
Galan called the Alto Tamega hydroelectric complex one of the most important hy-
draulic undertakings in Portugal over the past 25 years and one of the great hydro devel-
opments in Europe. The complex is expected to complete the hydroelectric development
of the Douro Basin, called the Duero where it extends into Spain.
Iberdrola said it plans to earmark funds in 2012-2018 for Alto Tamegas four hydro
plants, Gouvaes, Padroselos, Alto Tamega, and Daivoes. While it did not identify indi-
vidual capacities, Iberdrola said two plants would ofer 900 MW of pumping capacity and
two conventional hydro plants would ofer 234 MW, for a total capacity of 1,134 MW.
The plants will generate about 2,000 gigawatt-hours annually, which represents about 3
percent of Portugals electricity consumption.
Iberdrola was winning bidder in a solicitation by Portugals water agency, Instituto
da Agua (Inag), for 112-MW Gouvaes, 113-MW Padroselos, 90-MW Alto Tamega,
and 109-MW Daivoes. Although plant capacities identifed by Inag totaled 424 MW,
Iberdrola said the Alto Tamega Hydro complex would total 1,134 MW. Additionally,
Cegelec
creates Brazil
renewables unit
French-based engineering
f irm Cegelec created a Bra-
zilian renewable energy
subsidiary, Cegelec Re-
newable, which has formed
a strategic partnership with
Brazilian hydropower en-
gineer Energ Power.
Cegelec, which has
been present in Brazil since
1974 with subsidiary Ce-
gelec Ltda., said Cegelec
Renewable wil l contribute
to the development of its
group in the f ield of re-
newable energy.
The strategic partnership
is to permit Energ Power to
strengthen its position in
the renewable energy mar-
ket. It is to come into force
in the coming weeks pend-
ing administrative formali-
ties, Cegelec said.
Cegelec, which has
25,000 employees in 30
countries, added that it has
an option to take control of
Energ Power by early 2010.
Energ Power has 500 em-
ployees and 12 engineering-
procurement-construction
contracts in execution.
Italys Edison,
Enel, SEL form
hydro ventures
Societa Elettrica Altoate-
sina (SEL), the local util ity
of Italys Bolzano Province,
made agreements with two
major Ital ian util ities,
Edison SpA and Enel Pro-
duzione, to operate exist-
ing hydroelectric projects
in Bolzano total ing more
than 1,000 MW.
In separate agreements
SEL is to own: 60 percent
of Hydros Srl, while Edison
owns 40 percent; and 60
per cent of Newco, while
Enel owns 40 percent.
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the investment fgure is higher than an earlier fgure of 1 billion euros (US$1.3 billion).
Iberdrola said it submitted the best bid for 65-year concessions, reported to be 303.7
million euros (US$398.5 million).
The four power plants are among ten new projects, and fve hydro project expansions,
included in Portugals national program of dams with high hydropower potential, Pro-
grama Nacional de Barragens com Elevado Potencial Hidroelectrico.
Portugal awards concession for 72-MW Girabolhos
In other development activity in Portugual, Inag recently awarded a concession to units of
Spanish utility Endesa to design, build, and operate the 72-MW Girabolhos hydroelectric
project on the Mondego River.
Inag took bids in 2008 for concessions to build both Girabolhos and 77-MW Pinhosao
on the Vouga River. No bids were received for Pinhosao.
The water agency said the Girabolhos concession was awarded to Agrupamento En-
desa Generacion Portugal SA and Endesa Generacion SA. The Endesa units are to pay a
bid of 35 million euros (US$46.8 million) upon contract signature
Indonesia to develop two 1,000-MW pumped-storage projects
Indonesia utility PT PLN Persero plans to seek bids from builders, equipment suppli-
ers, and consultants for the 1,040-MW Upper Cisokan and 1,000-MW Matenggeng
pumped-storage projects.
The government of Indonesia applied for a US$600 million World Bank loan for the
Upper Cisokan Pumped-Storage Power Project, which includes Matenggeng. In 2006,
PT PLN awarded a US$1.35 million contract to a joint venture of NEWJEC Inc. of Ja-
pan with Colenco Power Engineering Ltd., PT Hasfarm Dian, and PT Kwarsa Hexa to
provide consulting services for Upper Cisokan in West Java.
To be built on the Cisokan River, a tributary of the Citarum River, Upper Cisokan is to
have four 260-MW reversible Francis pump-turbines in an underground powerhouse, two
roller-compacted-concrete dams impounding upper and lower reservoirs, and transmission
lines connecting with the Java-Bali power system.
PT PLN plans to seek bids for:
Design and construction of Upper Cisokan;
A feasibility study, basic design, and bidding documents for Matenggeng;
A corporate business strategy study; and
Updating of system planning and operation capability.
German utility sees 2,000 MW of hydro in Bosnia
German utility group RWE AG expressed interest in investing more than 1 billion
euros (US$1.27 billion) in the energy sector of Bosnias Serb region, including devel-
opment of hydropower projects.
The RWE management and the government of Bosnias autonomous Bosnian Serb republic,
Republika Srpska, discussed the possibilities of cooperation in the construction of hydropower
plants in the region, which makes up Bosnia along with the Muslim-Croat federation.
RWE estimated about 2,000 MW could be produced by construction of hydropower
plants on the Drina and Trebisnjica rivers in the east and on the Vrbas River in the west of
the region. We see the Serb republic as the growing market in the future and we want to
contribute to the development and building of infrastructure, especially in domain of pow-
er supplies, Gerd Jaeger, a member of the RWE Executive Board, said in Banja Luka.
Jaeger said his company could kick off with the construction of hydropower
plants in 2009.
India rm to
build 330-MW
Kishanganga
India hydro developer
NHPC Ltd. awarded a con-
tract to the HCC-Halcrow
Consortium for turnkey
construction of the 330-MW
Kishanganga project on In-
dias Kishanganga River.
NHPC awarded the
27.26 billion rupee (US
$557.75 million) contract to
the consortium, comprising
Hindustan Construction Co.
Ltd. (HCC) of India and
Halcrow Group Ltd. U.K.
HCC, which announced
the award to the Bombay
Stock Exchange in January,
said it would be responsible
for investigations, planning,
design and engineering, con-
struction of civil and associ-
ated infrastructure, supply,
transportation, installation,
testing, and commissioning
of plant and machinery over
84 months.
Kishanganga is to be built
in the Bandipora and Gurez
Valley of Jammu & Kashmir
State. The project includes
construction of a 37-meter-
tall concrete-faced rockfll
dam, a 23.5-kilometer tun-
nel, and an underground
powerhouse with three 110-
MW turbine-generators.
Alstom Hydro
to equip 240-MW
Lower Jurala
State-owned Andhra
Pradesh Power Generation
Corp. (APGENCO) award-
ed a contract to Alstom
Hydro for turnkey supply of
equipment to the 240-MW
Lower Jurala project on In-
dias Krishna River.
Alstom Hydro said the
78 mil l ion euro (US$97.5
mi l l ion) contract cal ls for
design, manufacturing,
supply, instal lation, test-
ing, and commissioning of
six 40-MW bulb turbine-
generators and auxil iary
equipment.
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Serb republic Energy Minister Slobodan Puhalac said cooperation with RWE
would be in the form of a public-private partnership because the region did not
want to privatize its energy sector.
In November 2008, Norwegian renewable energy developer Technor Energy
ASA agreed to invest 200 million euros (US$259 million) to build six hydropower
projects on the Bosna River in the Bosnian Serb republic.
Andritz equips Laos 280-MW Theun-Hinboun Expansion
Theun-Hinboun Power Co. Ltd. (THPC) awarded an 85 million euro (US$113.5 mil-
lion) contract to Andritz Hydro (formerly Andritz VA Tech Hydro) to equip the 280-MW
Theun-Hinboun Expansion project on Laos Nam Theun River.
THPC is expanding the 210-MW Theun-Hinboun hydroelectric project in Kham-
mouan Province, which was completed in 1998 with VA Tech Hydro equipment. THPC
named Sweco of Sweden the owners engineer earlier this year.
The expansion project includes a 220-MW addition to the Theun-Hinboun power
station, plus a new 60-MW Nam Gnouang hydropower plant, a 6-kilometer headrace
tunnel, and a new 70-meter-tall roller-compacted-concrete dam on the Nam Gnouang
River, a tributary of the Nam Theun.
Andritz is to supply, install, and commission equipment for both the expanded power-
house and the new plant, including three Francis turbine-generators, governing systems,
automation and protection, main inlet valve, auxiliary systems, and switchyard equip-
ment. The expansion is to begin commercial operation in June 2012, generating more
than 3,000 gigawatt-hours annually.
The Lao government is the largest investor in the US$500 million plant with a 60 per-
cent stake by Electricite du Laos in THPC, which is developing the project. GMS Power, a
subsidiary of Thailands M.D.X. Co. Ltd., has a 20 percent stake and Nordic Hydropower,
a partnership of Swedish and Norwegian state-owned utilities Vattenfall and Statkraft, owns
the rest.
Consortium orders units for Brazils 3,300-MW Jirau
The developer of the 3,300-MW Jirau hydroelectric project signed contracts totaling at
least US$831 million for bulb turbine-generators and other equipment for the project,
being built on the Madeira River in Brazils Rondonia State.
Energia Sustentavel do Brasil (ESBR), winner of a concession to build Jirau in
Brazils Amazon Region, announced in January it signed a US$410 million contract
with Dongfang Electric Corp. International and Dongfang Electric Machinery of
China for supply of 18 75-MW turbine-generators. Dongfang said the contract rep-
resents its entry into the Brazilian market as well as the largest export contract the
Chinese f irm has ever signed.
It was announced in December 2008 that a consortium led by Alstom Hydro and
including Voith Siemens Hydro Power Generation and Andritz Hydro (formerly
Andritz VA Tech Hydro) also had won a 300 million euro (US$421.8 million) con-
tract from ESBR to supply 28 turbine-generators and other equipment. Alstom said
it is responsible for 48 percent of the contract, including ten turbines, 17 generators,
28 governors, monitoring systems, bus bars, and surge/neutral devices.
ESBR also announced it was adding two more units to Jiraus design, for a total
of 46 turbine-generators. ESBR said the two units would increase the project to
2,014.24 average MW from 1,975.3 average MW. Reports indicated approval of the
addition was pending with regulator Agencia Nacional de Energia Eletrica, after
which the projects installed capacity would be listed as 3,450 MW.
South Africa
delays, renames
1,500-MW Lima
South Africa utility Eskom
announced it will delay de-
velopment of the proposed
1,500-MW Lima pumped-
storage project due to high
construction costs and de-
pressed electricity demand.
Eskom also announced it has
renamed the project Tubatse.
Eskom spokesman Fani
Zulu said Tubatse would be
delayed because it was not
required urgently as energy
demand is expected to grow
at a much slower pace ow-
ing to economic slowdown.
Zuni said the utility would
continue with construction of
two coal plants, Medupi and
Kusile, of 4,800 MW each.
If we continue with Tu-
batse, we get into a high ex-
cess capacity situation, so we
decided to move it to a later
date, he said, but added that
no date has been fnalized.
Eskom previously esti-
mated the project would go
on line in late 2015 for an
estimated cost of 10.2 billion
rand (US$1.02 billion). For
project details, see HRW ar-
ticle Snapshots of Pumped-
Storage Projects, December
2008, Page 14.
The National Energy
Regulator of South Africa
(NERSA) has been review-
ing Eskoms license appli-
cation to operate Tubatse.
Eskom must acquire the op-
erating license from NERSA
before proceeding to the next
phase of the project, actual
implementation.
Eskom is already develop-
ing another pumped-storage
project, 1,368-MW Ingula,
on the border of South Afri-
cas Free State and KwaZulu-
Natal. In September 2008 it
named Voith Siemens Hydro
Power Generation to supply
complete electro-mechanical
equipment, including four
pump-turbines of 342 MW
each, four motor-generators,
and complete automation and
control systems.
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Ukraine rm to
equip Tajikistans
3,000-MW Nurek
During a visit to Ukraine
by Tajikistan President Im-
omal i Rakhmon, Ukraine
hydro equipment suppl ier
Turboatom agreed to sup-
ply six turbines for reha-
bil itation of Tajikistans
3,000-MW Nurek hydro-
electric project.
Turboatom of cials signed
a memorandum in December
2008, during Rakhmons visit
to Turboatom facilities. The
agreement was negotiated in
private during the visit.
Nurek, which has been
undergoing rehabilitation on
the Vakhsh River, produces
more than 70 percent of the
countrys electricity.
The frst new unit is to
be delivered in 2009, fol-
lowed by two each in 2010
and 2011 and one in 2012.
Turboatom said Tajikistan
of cials also are interested in
modernizing other 40-year-
old equipment at Nurek.
The supplier said it also
is ready to renew deliver-
ies of hydro turbines to Ta-
jikistans 3,600-MW Ro-
gun hydroelectric project,
whose construction began
in 1980, but stalled at the
end of the Soviet era. The
Tajikistan government re-
cently struggled for funding
to complete the project.
Turboatom Director
General Viktor Subotin said
the company plans to begin
manufacturing Roguns third
generating unit in the imme-
diate future. Rogun current-
ly has two 200-MW turbines
built by Turboatom. Subotin
said about 30 percent of the
equipment manufactured for
the project is located at Tur-
boatom facilities.
ESBR predicted commercial operation would begin in 38 months, with generation
in early 2012.
ESBR consortium members include Suez Energy South America Participacoes
Ltda.; Eletrosul Centrais Eletricas S/A; Companhia Hidro Eletrica do Sao Francisco
(CHESF); and Camargo Correa Investimentos em Infra-Estrutura S/A.
Alstom, Andritz to equip 3,150-MW Santo Antonio
Alstom Hydro and Andritz Hydro also received contracts to supply Jiraus sister project on
the Madeira, 3,150-MW Santo Antonio.
Alstom said it received a 500 million euro (US$708 million) contract to supply
electro-mechanical and hydro-mechanical equipment for Santo Antonio. Alstom
said it is to supply 19 bulb turbines, 22 generators, and 50 percent of the projects
hydro-mechanical and lifting equipment.
Andritz received a 250 million euro (US$317.2 million) contract to supply tur-
bine-generators and voltage regulating systems for Santo Antonio. Andritz said its
aff iliates are to supply 12 turbines and generators as well as 24 voltage regulating
systems for the generators. The f irst unit is to begin operation in mid-2012.
Consorcio Madeira Energia won concession bidding to build Santo Antonio in 2007.
The consortium includes Furnas Centrais Eletricas S/A, Odebrecht Investimentos em
Infra-estrutura Ltda., Construtora Norberto Odebrecht S.A., Andrade Gutierrez Partici-
pacoes S/A, Cemig Geracao e Transmissao S/A, and Fundo de Investimentos e Participa-
coes Amazonia Energia (formed by banks Banif and Santander).
Ecuador seeks study, design for 4,000-MW Zamora complex
Ecuadors Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy plans to recruit consultants to
perform studies and detailed design of the 4,000-MW Zamora hydroelectric complex on
Ecuadors Zamora and Namangoza rivers. The ministry called Zamora the largest and most
important hydroelectric development in Ecuador.
The ministry seeks technical and economic pre-feasibility and feasibility stud-
ies as well as detailed design of the Zamora complex (Lower Course), which
could include 20 hydroelectric projects, 90 percent of which would be in Morona
Santiago Province.
Although the budget allocated for the work is US$29.45 million, the ministry said
it would invest US$40 million to complete the studies and fnal design. Funds are to
come from Ecuadors energy and hydrocarbon investment fund, Fondo Ecuatoriano
de Inversion en los Sectores Energetico e Hidrocarburifero.
Work begins with 1,200-MW San Juan Bosco
The ministry said the studies initially would focus on the most important project
in the complex, the 1,200-MW San Juan Bosco hydro project. The consultant is to
perform additional geological, geophysical, and geotechnical studies of the San Juan
Bosco site. If the site proves unsatisfactory, the consultant is to recommend a new
location for the project.
Once the San Juan Bosco site is established, a pre-feasibility study is planned be-
tween it and the conf luence of the Zamora and Namangoza rivers outlining techni-
cal and economic aspects of the functioning of the hydraulic system as a whole. The
consultant is to submit alternative hydro developments.
The consultant also is to develop f inal technical specif ications, an economic
evaluation, and terms of reference and documents for recruitment of construction
companies for the project.
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Georgia, Russia utility sign 1,250-MW Enguri pact
Russian international power developer Inter RAO UES announced it signed a memoran-
dum of understanding with Georgia of cials to cooperate in the operation of Georgias
1,250-MW Enguri Dam.
Inter RAO Chairman Evgeniy Dod and Georgia Energy Minister Alezander
Khetaguri signed the agreement in December 2008, outlining plans to cooperate in
the projects operation for ten years. Enguri is located on the Enguri River, which
divides Georgia from its breakaway province of Abkhazia.
In August 2008, Russian troops and forces from the province of Abkhazia occu-
pied the hydroelectric project as part of an invasion of Russian troops into Georgian
territory. Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states after
the short war, and has thousands of troops in both regions.
Enguris generators lie on the Abkhaz side of the border, but the dam is on the
Georgian side. The plant generates 4.2 billion kilowatt-hours per year, accounting
for 45 percent of Georgian electricity generation. Under a deal between Tbilisi and
Abkhazia, the breakaway region gets 1.2 billion kWh.
Inter RAO is one of the biggest investors in Georgia, with an electricity distribution
utility for Tbilisi, a 300-MW thermal plant, and two 120-MW hydroelectric stations. In-
ter RAO also has announced it will export electricity to Turkey via Georgian territory.
N.Z. utility wins consents for 260-MW Lower Waitaki
New Zealand generator Meridian Energy Ltd. received four water resource consents in Decem-
ber 2008 for the proposed North Bank Tunnel Concept, which would divert water from the
Lower Waitaki River for a hydroelectric project of between 210 MW and 260 MW.
A hearing panel of Environment Canterbury granted resource consents allowing
the utility to divert, take, use, and discharge water from the Waitaki under the North
Bank Tunnel Concept (NBTC).
More than 430 parties had submitted information to the panel.
The North Bank Tunnel Concept features a 34-kilometer tunnel along the Wait-
aki between Waitaki Dam and Stonewall, with an underground powerhouse.
With consents allowing access to the water, Meridian now can plan the project in
detail and seek resource consents to excavate and build the tunnel and power station. Me-
ridian previously said it adopted a staged approach to its fling to ensure suf cient water is
available before it invests millions of dollars on detailed engineering investigations.
The North Bank Tunnel Concept would occupy part of the area of a proposed 524-
MW Project Aqua canal and powerhouse system that Meridian abandoned in 2004
due to uncertainty over obtaining water rights and resource consents. Meridian said it
learned important lessons from the Project Aqua efort and made signifcant modifca-
tions to its proposal including water sharing provisions, a tunnel-based proposal that
minimizes many efects on the area, and consultation with afected parties.
Swiss hydro operators merge; EDF takes stake
Swiss utilities Aare-Tessin AG fur Elektrizitat (Atel) and Energie Ouest Suisse (EOS) agreed
to merge, efective February 1, into Alpiq Holding AG.
Additionally, French utility Electricite de France (EDF) is acquiring a 25 percent stake
in Alpiq and will transfer to the new company its energy rights from a 50 percent stake
in 360-MW Emosson Dam on the French-Swiss border.
The combined company is to have hydropower generation in Switzerland totaling
3,000 MW. With 10,000 employees and a presence in several European countries, Alpiq
is to provide a third of Switzerlands electricity.
Briey
Verbund Austrian Hydro
Power AG awarded a con-
tract to Siemens AG Osterre-
ich Automation und Drives
to supply switchgear for an
extension of the 63-MW
Hiefau project. Siemens
Austrian unit is to design,
produce, supply, install, and
start up switchgear for two
3.8-MW pump drives.
Israels Solel Boneh In-
ternational signed a US$200
million contract to plan and
construct the 85-MW Palo
Viejo project in Guatemala.
The Guatemalan unit of Ital-
ian utility Enel announced
plans in 2008 to develop Palo
Viejo. Construction is to re-
quire 32 months.
India engineering frm
Angelique International is
to build two hydropower
projects in Cameroon as part
of an aid package worth 125
billion Central French Africa
francs (US$251.5 million).
Export-Import Bank of In-
dia is to lend the money to
Cameroon. Angelique is due
to start work in July.
Vietnams Cavico Hy-
dropower Construction re-
ceived a US$9.8 million con-
struction contract from Song
Giang 2 Hydropower Joint
Stock Co. for the 37-MW
Song Giang 2 hydroelectric
project on Vietnams Song Gi-
ang River. Cavico is to con-
struct a 3,900-meter headrace
tunnel, two total 650-meter
sub-tunnels, and a 42-meter-
tall surge tank.
Tom Read,
director TMI, dies
Tom W. Read, founder and
director of TMI & Associ-
ates of the United Kingdom,
died November 26, 2008.
He was 65.
A mechanical engineer
by training, Read worked
internationally in the mar-
keting of systems for temper-
ature-controlled concrete for
dam, powerhouse, and tun-
nel construction.
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INSTANT INFO
NOW ONLINE
Only One Click Away
Online Reader Service
Announcing
Were pleased to announce the
launch of Instant Info a new
service designed to help you
quickly get more information about
the products and services featured
in Hydro Review magazine. Did
a product or service grab your
attention? Beginning with our April
issue, you will be able to instantly
request more information using our
online reader service.
Simply click on the Instant Info
button on the Hydro Review
homepage to instantly access the
products and services of interest to
you. Its just that easy! No more
tear sheets or mailing postcards.
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Czech utility
takes stake in
Akenerji
Czech power utility CEZ
acquired a 37.4 percent stake
in Turkeys Akenerji. CEZ
agreed to pay US$302.6
million to take half of the
75 percent stake in Akenerji
held by the main owner, Ak-
kok Group, as part of a stra-
tegic alliance, CEZ said.
Together with CEZ,
Akenerji plans to achieve an
expansion of its production
portfolio to 3,000 MW over
the next fve years, CEZ
said. This increase will re-
quire an investment worth
about US$3 billion.
Akenerji also obtained
a license from regulators to
build 100-MW Trabzon and
79-MW Cinarcik, with a
total investment of US$235
million.
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www.hcipub.com March 2009 / HRW 17
Together we can offer investors complete solutions ranging from
the development and design to the delivery of hydroelectric
power plant equipment on a turnkey basis.
Stronger together.
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Tel: +386 1 5824 115
e-mail: info@litostrojpower.eu
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apkova 2357/5 | 678 01 Blansko
The Czech Republic
Tel: +420 533 309 561
e-mail: or@cbeng.cz
LITOSTROJ POWER - Hydraulic Research Center Blansko
apkova 2357/5 | 678 01 Blansko
The Czech Republic
Tel: +420 533 309 540
e-mail: radomir.havlicek@hrcblansko.cz
Project
Name
Owner Country River
Capacity
(in MW)
On-Line
Date
Service/Product Suppliers
Cost
(US$
millions)
Notes
A Vuong
Electricity of
Vietnam
Vietnam A Vuong 210 Oct-08
Melco, MIE, Power Machines,
Sumitomo
N/A* First 105-MW unit on line
Bureyskaya RusHydro Russia Bureya 2,000 Dec-08 Power Machines N/A* Two replacement units
Catorze de
Julho
CPFL Energia S.A. Brazil Antas 100 Dec-08 N/A* N/A*
First 50-MW unit on line; sec-
ond unit to begin operating in
the rst quarter of 2009
Glendoe
Scottish & Southern
Energy
Scotland
Loch
Ness
100 Dec-08
Herrenknecht Ag, Hochtief AG,
Jacobs Engineering Group, Poyry
Energy Business Group, VA Tech
Hydro, Weir Engineering Services
275
First large-scale conventional
hydro plant to be built in the
United Kingdom since 1957
Longtan China Datang China Hongshui 6,300 Dec-08
Dongfang Electrical Machinery
Co. of China, Voith Siemens Hydro
Shanghai
4,380
First 4,900 MW phase
complete; all nine units to be
complete by end of 2009
Middle
Marsyangdi
Nepal Electricity
Authority
Nepal Marsyangdi 72 Dec-08
Dywidag Germany, Fichtner GmbH
& Co., KfW Entwicklungsbank, VA
Tech Hydro, Voith Siemens Hydro
Power Generation
397 N/A*
Sangtuda 1 Inter RAO UES Tajikistan Vakhsh 670 Nov-08
Chekhovsky Zavod Gidrostal,
ChirkeiGESstroy, Hydromontazh
Trust, Power Machines, Zagranener-
gostroymontazh, Zarubezhvodstroy
720
Third unit on line; fourth and
nal unit to be complete in
2009, rst quarter
Tucurui
Centrais Eletricas
do Norte do Brasil
S.A. (Eletronorte)
Brazil Toncantins 8,370 Nov-08 N/A* 1,600
Completion of second
powerhouse
On-Line Report
*N/A = Not available
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TO HIGHLIGHT DAM DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION WORK
occurring, HRW shares information about development
of nine of the largest dams in the world. These dams all
over 150 meters in height are prominent components
of major hydroelectric projects being built in Asia, Africa,
Latin America, and the Middle East. Table 1 on page 20
provides details about the nine projects.
These nine dams involve record-setting achievements.
For example, Diamer Basha Dam in Pakistan, to be com-
pleted in 2019, will be the tallest roller-compacted-con-
crete (RCC) dam in the world at 270 meters. And, at 305
meters tall, the massive Jinping 1 Dam in China will be
the tallest double-curvature thin arch dam in the world
when it is complete in 2014. The 288-meter-high Dibang
Dam in India will be the tallest concrete gravity dam in
the world when completed in 2017.
Of the nine dams being featured, three are arch con-
crete, three are concrete-faced rockfll, two are roller-
compacted concrete, and one is concrete gravity. They
range in height from 166 meters to 305 meters. Common
design and construction challenges include working at
sites with complex geology, solving problems with seep-
age, and managing sediment-laden waters.
The hydroelectric facilities associated with these dams
range in capacity from 160 MW to 4,500 MW. Together,
they will provide 17,500 MW of new capacity and are
expected to produce more than 58,100 gigawatt-hours
(GWh) of electricity each year.
Development of these nine projects to be com-
pleted between 2009 and 2019 will cost an estimated
US$27.4 billion.
Bakun
Country: Malaysia
Owner: Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd
River: Batang Balui
Type: Concrete-Faced Rockfll (CFRD)
Height: 205 meters
Volume: 16.8 million cubic meters
Power Generation Component: 2,400 MW, surface powerhouse
250 meters long by 56 meters wide by 20.5 meters high
with eight units: vertical Francis turbines and synchronous
360 megavolt-ampere generators
Anticipated Date of Completion: 2012
Estimated Cost: $4.6 billion
Companies Involved:
Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd, Alstom, Atlas Copco (Malaysia)
Sdn Bhd, Caterpillar, China National Water Resources and
Hydropower Engineering Corporation, Dong Ah Construc-
tion of Korea, Edward and Son Sdn Bhd, Ekran Corporation
Bhd, Fong Mook Seong Sdn Bhd (FMS), Geonor SA, Global
Upline Sdn Bhd, Intraxis Engineering, JacobsGIBB Ltd., Mer-
itec Limited, M K Ting, MTD Capital Bhd, Overseas Tun-
neling and Construction, PB Power, Sime Engineering Sdn
Bhd, Snowy Mountains Engineering Corp., Syarikat Ismail
Ibrahim Sdn Bhd, Volvo Malaysia Construction Equipment,
WCT Engineering Bhd, YTL Ranhill Theiss Consortium
Design Notes:
The design and build contract for the dam and ancillary
facilities was awarded in October 2002 to Malaysia-China
Hydro Joint Venture, which includes China National Water
Resources and Hydropower Engineering Corporation, Sime
Engineering, WCT Engingineering, MTD Capital, Ahmad
A look at ongoing development of nine of the worlds tallest dams provides examples of design,
excavation, and construction work occurring in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Design&Construction
www.hcipub.com March 2009 / HRW19
DAMS
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Zaki Resources, Syarikat Ismail Ibra-
him, and Edward and Son. Consider-
able efort was made in the design of the
dam including extensive laboratory
and trial embankment tests on materi-
als to optimize the use of excavated
materials and reduce waste. Some ma-
terial for construction of the dam was
obtained from site excavation, and the
remainder was obtained from quarries.
The 205-meter-high dam has a crest
length of 750 meters.
Excavation Notes:
Fong Mook Seong (FMS) carried out
the drilling and blasting for the lower
spillway and powerhouse, as well as
general rock clearance along the banks
of the river downstream of the dam.
Most of the work was completed us-
ing two ROC D7 drill rigs from Atlas
Copco. These machines were used to
drill 76- and 89-millimeter-diameter
holes to various depths. During an
eight-hour shift, each machine can be
used to drill more than 300 meters.
M K Ting did blasting work to pre-
pare the dam foundations.
The drilling and blasting work was
challenging because of the complex
geology at the site. The site is pre-
dominantly conglomerate sandstone
greywacke with inter-bedded shale
and mudstone, mostly folded and
with a dip of more than 45 degrees.
Work in this type of rock requires
recognition of changes in rock con-
dition in order to change drilling
techniques as needed.
Construction Notes:
To protect against seepage through
the dam foundation, a grout curtain
with a maximum depth of about 130
meters was installed at the upstream
side of the dam beneath the plinth
of the concrete-faced rockfll dam.
The main civil work at the project
has been completed, and work is pro-
ceeding on installation of the electri-
cal and mechanical equipment.
Information Obtained From: Sarawak Hidro
Sdn Bhd website; Kai Leong Gooi, At-
las Copco (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Diamer Basha (formerly
called Basha)
Country: Pakistan
Owner: Water and Power Development
Authority (WAPDA)
River: Indus
Type: Roller-Compacted Concrete
(RCC)
Height: 272 meters
Volume: 17 million cubic meters of
concrete
Power Generation Component: 4,500 MW,
18,100 gigawatt-hours, two under-
ground powerhouses that each contain
six units: vertical Francis turbines and
416 megavolt-ampere generators
Estimated Cost: US$11.3 billion
Companies Involved:
AMEC, Associated Consulting En-
gineers (Pvt) Ltd. (ACE), BARQAB
Consulting Services, Binnie Black
& Veatch, Lahmeyer International,
MWH, National Engineering Ser-
vices Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd. (NESPAK),
National Development Consultants
(NDC), Pakistan Engineering Services
Design Notes:
The project consists of the dam and
related structures, including two di-
version tunnels and a permanent ac-
cess bridge. There will be two under-
ground powerhouses, one on the left
bank and one on the right bank. Each
powerhouse will contain six 375-MW
turbine-generator units. The reservoir
will have a gross storage of 10 billion
cubic meters of water and a live storage
of 7.9 billion cubic meters. The design
discharge of the spillway is 18,126 cu-
bic meters per second. To pass sediment
in the river, the dam will feature fve
low-level sediment fushing outlets in
Dam Country Developer Dam Type
Dam
Height
(meters)
Capacity
(in MW)
Expected Annual
Generation
(in GWh)
Cost
(US$ millions)
Scheduled
Completion
Date
Bakun Malaysia Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd
Concrete-Faced
Rockll
205 2,400 Not Available 4,600 2012
Diamer Basha Pakistan
Water and Power
Development Authority
(WAPDA)
Roller-Compacted
Concrete
272 4,500 18,100 11,300 2019
Dibang India NHPC Limited Concrete Gravity 288 3,000 11,330 3,340 2017
Ermenek Turkey
DSI (Devlet Su Isleri)
General Directorate of
State Hydraulic Works
Thin Arch Concrete 218 300 1,014 797 2011
Gibe III Ethiopia
Ethiopian Electric Power
Corp.
Roller-Compacted
Concrete
243 1,870 6,500 1,950 2013
Jinping 1 China
Ertan Hydropower Devel-
opment Company Ltd.
Double-Curvature Thin
Arch Concrete
305 3,600 16,600 3,600 2014
Karun 4 Iran
Iran Water and Power
Resources Development
Company
Double Arch Concrete 230 1,000 2,107 562 2009
La Yesca Mexico
Comision Federal de
Electricidad
Concrete-Faced
Rockll
205 750 1,210 910 2012
Mazar Ecuador Hidropaute SA
Concrete-Faced
Rockll
166 160 1,280 362 2009
TOTALS 17,580 MW 58,141 GWh US $27.4 billion
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the dam body under the spillway. To
keep the power intake clear of sedi-
ment, the dam will contain an outlet
under the right bank intake (built by
converting one of the diversion tun-
nels) and a tunnel under the left bank.
Excavation Notes:
The location of the underground
powerhouse and transformer caverns
was chosen to avoid fault areas. The
tunnels, shafts, and caverns will be
excavated by drilling and controlled
blasting. Where fault zones will be in-
tersected, increased support through
use of shotcrete or rock bolts will be
provided. Large rock excavation for
construction of a 90-meter-wide di-
version canal, together with the right
and left bank excavation for the dam
foundation, will supply more than 60
percent of the aggregate needed for
construction of the dam. The project
also features two 15.4-meter-diameter
diversion tunnels one 887 meters
long and one 1,016 meters long. These
tunnels will penetrate through the
right rock ridge that forms an abut-
ment of the dam.
Construction Notes:
The upstream and downstream cof-
ferdams required to isolate the site for
construction will be rockfll embank-
ments with a core of alluvial mate-
rial. The foundation of the dam and
the embankments will be sealed by a
plastic concrete diaphragm wall con-
structed to a maximum depth of 50 to
70 meters. The main construction ac-
tivities for the project will take place in
fve contract lots, with work to begin
in 2009. The RCC dam will be built
in 32 blocks and will proceed in zones,
starting from the bedrock. RCC will
be placed by the sloped layer method,
in 3-meter lifts in 0.3-meter layers.
Reservoir impounding will begin in
2017 and be complete in 2019.
Information Obtained From: Izhar ul
Haq, Water and Power Develop-
ment Authority
Dibang
Country: India
Owner: NHPC Limited (former-
ly National Hydroelectric Power
Corporation)
River: Dibang
Type: Concrete Gravity
Height: 288 meters
Volume: 16.5 million cubic meters
Power Generation Component: 3,000
MW, 11,330 gigawatt-hours, under-
ground powerhouse 24.5 meters wide
by 54.8 meters high by 382.8 meters
long with 12 units: Francis turbines
Companies Involved:
AF Colenco, National Institute of
Rock Mechanics
Design Notes:
The concrete gravity dam will be
288 meters high from the deepest
foundation level. When completed,
this will be the tallest dam of its kind
in the world. The length of the top
of the dam is 816 meters, including
154 meters of overfow section. The
spillway is designed for a probable
food of 22,809 cubic meters per sec-
ond. To investigate the site, NHPC
performed detailed engineering
geological mapping and laboratory
testing of rock samples. NHPC also
investigated three axes for placement
of the dam at this site.
Excavation Notes:
The dam will be located at the
junction of two rock formations.
The thrusted contact of the two for-
mations passes through the tailrace
tunnel outlet area and intersects the
main access tunnel and diversion
tunnel near the outlet end. Sub-
surface explorations at the dam site
indicated the rock on the left bank
of the dam is comparatively weaker
than the rock on the right bank.
The overall height of the open ex-
cavation for the dam will be 300 to
350 meters. The total quantity of
rock excavation in the dam abut-
ments and river bed is estimated at
5.58 million cubic meters.
Construction Notes:
Construction of the structures will
require 19.3 million cubic meters of
coarse aggregate, 9.65 million cubic
meters of fne aggregate, 74,000 cubic
meters of shell material, and 26,000
cubic meters of impervious soil. Civil
work on the project is scheduled to
begin in 2009.
Ermenek
Country: Turkey
Owner: DSI (Devlet Su Isleri) General
Directorate of State Hydraulic Works
River: Ermenek
Type: Thin Arch Concrete
Height: 218 meters
Volume: 299,000 cubic meters of
concrete
Power Generation Component: 300 MW,
1,014 gigawatt-hours, two units in a
surface powerhouse: vertical Francis
turbines and synchronous generators
ERMENEK
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Estimated Cost: US$797 million
Companies Involved:
Alpine Mayreder Bau GmbH, Als-
tom Power Austria, BM Mhendsilik
ve Insaat A.S., Pyry Energy Ltd., VA
Tech Hydro GmbH & Co., Voith Sie-
mens Hydro Power Generation
Design Notes:
The design of the double-curved arch
dam is based on ellipses in horizontal
sections and was carried out using the
fnite element method. A three-dimen-
sional model of the dam and the abut-
ment based on geodetic measure-
ments is being used for numerical
calculations. The bearing behavior is
straightforward, owing to the site's nar-
row, "V"-shaped valley. In addition,
Pyry carried out detailed investigations
to assess for abutment stability. Owing to
highly karstifed rock at the site, design
issues for the grout and drainage curtain
play an important role. Grout takes and
check holes are the basis for the curtain
design and the connection of the curtain
into impervious rock. A grout curtain of
682,000 square meters was specifed.
Excavation Notes:
Owing to the narrow and steep gorge
and the good rock quality at the dam
site, excavation could be kept to a min-
imum. To excavate the dam abutment
in the vertical rock walls, step-wise
smooth blasting in depths of about 5
to 6.5 meters, supervised by Austrian
blasting expert Mr. Bubendorfer, was
used. The upper part of the rock is
supported by 103 pre-stressed anchors,
each with a carrying capacity of 1,500
kilo Newtons (kN). To monitor rock
movement during excavation, the
contractor studied records from incli-
nometers, extensometers, anchor force
uplift tests, and anchor load cell tests.
Construction Notes:
The dam is being constructed in
blocks; post cooling is provided by
pipes at every 3 meters in height and a
horizontal distance of about 2 meters.
Owing to the huge reservoir volume
(4.6 billion cubic meters), block joint
grouting is being carried out within
an intermediate stage during con-
struction. This intermediate block
joint grouting is necessary to achieve
the arch dam bearing behavior to im-
pound the reservoir during construc-
tion. Impounding is scheduled to
commence in February 2009.
Information Obtained From: Gerald Zenz,
Graz University of Technology
Gibe III (formerly called
Gilgel Gibe III)
Country: Ethiopia
Owner: Ethiopian Electric Power Corp.
River: Omo-Gibe
Type: Roller-Compacted Concrete
(RCC)
Height: 243 meters
Vol.: 6 million cubic meters of concrete
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Power Generation Component: 1,870
MW, 6,500 gigawatt-hours, ten units
in a surface powerhouse: Francis
turbines
Anticipated Date of Completion: July 2013
Companies Involved:
AG Consult, Coyne et Bellier,
ElectroConsult, Mott MacDonald,
Roctest Telemac, Salini Costruttori
SpA, Sialitec Engineer, Sogreah, Stu-
dio Pietrangeli
Design Notes:
A variety of technologies was used to
carry out basic site investigations, in-
cluding shuttle digital terrain model-
ing, laser scanning, satellite imagery,
helicopter surveying, and surface ter-
rain tomography. The dam will have a
crest length of 610 meters. The spillway
is located on the central blocks of the
dam and will discharge up to 18,600
cubic meters per second via an overfow
crest controlled by nine radial gates.
Excavation Notes:
Excavation work began in June 2008.
Excavation has been completed for
the river diversion works and for the
access road tunnels. Excavation work
is progressing for the main dam and
the powerhouse.
Construction Notes:
In December 2008, the river was di-
verted through two tunnels, one 13
meters in diameter and the other 7
meters in diameter. Site preparation
work has begun. The frst unit is ex-
pected to begin producing electricity
in July 2012.
Information Obtained From: Henok Abe-
be, Ethiopian Electric Power Corp.
Jinping 1
Country: China
Owner: Ertan Hydropower Develop-
ment Company Ltd.
River: Yalong
Type: Double-Curvature Thin Arch
Concrete
Height: 305 meters
Volume: 4.7 million cubic meters of
concrete
16,600 gigawatt-hours, six units in an
underground powerhouse 277 meters
long by 29.2 meters wide by 68.82 meters
high: air-cooled vertical Francis turbines,
three-phase synchronous generators
Companies Involved:
Changjiang Water Resources Com-
mission, Chengdu Hydropower Inves-
tigation and Design Institute, Dong-
fang Electric Machinery Company
Ltd., Gezhouba Construction Compa-
ny, Harbin Electric Machinery Com-
pany Ltd., North-west Hydropower
Investigation and Design Institute,
Sinohydro Bureau No. 4, Sinohydro
Bureau No. 7, Sinohydro Bureau No.
11, Sinohydro Bureau 14
Design Notes:
The double-curvature thin arch con-
crete dam will be 16 meters thick at the
crest and 63 meters thick at the base.
The crest will be 552 meters long. The
spillway will have a discharge capacity
of 12,109 cubic meters per second. De-
signing the dam was a challenge because
design experience and technical specif-
cations only exist for arch dams about
200 meters high.
Excavation Notes:
High steep slopes of 500 meters and
more have been encountered during
excavation work for the project. Be-
cause of the combination of high steep
natural slopes and development of faults,
crushed zones, and deep-seated frac-
tures, engineering geology of the site is
complicated. As a result, excavation for
the dam abutments has been dif cult.
The deep-seated open fractures, steeply
dipping outward approximately parallel
with the natural slope, create a major
threat to slope stability.
Construction Notes:
Because of adverse geological condi-
tions at the site, extensive foundation
treatment work is necessary, particularly
in the dam abutments. On the left bank,
foundation treatment covers a height of
289 meters, from elevation 1596 meters
to 1885 meters. More than 70 tunnels
and galleries totaling 12 kilometers in
length are arranged on the left bank at
fve diferent elevations for the purposes
GIBE III
JINPING 1
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Log & Debris Booms
Log & Debris Booms
Vegetation Barriers / Boat Barriers
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MOZAMBIQUE
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EGYPT
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PANAMA
AUSTRALIA
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SWEDEN
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of drainage, curtain grouting, consoli-
dation grouting, and replacement of
materials in faults and weak zones. On
the right bank, 47 tunnels and galleries
are provided at four diferent elevations.
Information Obtained From: Zhang Jian-
sheng, Ertan Hydropower Develop-
ment Company Ltd.; Liu Kai, Sino-
hydro SA (Pty) Limited
Karun 4
Country: Iran
Owner: Iran Water and Power Resources
Development Company
River: Karun
Type: Double Arch Concrete
Height: 230 meters
Volume: 1.67 million cubic meters of
concrete
2,107 gigawatt-hours, surface pow-
erhouse 121 meters long by 55 meters
wide by 65 meters high with four units:
vertical Francis turbines and synchro-
nous generators
Anticipated Date of Completion: End of
2009
Companies Involved:
Alstom, Behan Sad, C.E.B., Coyne et
Bellier, Farab, Jahad Tose Manabe Ab,
Lahmeyer International, Mahab Ghodss,
M.GH. Consulting Engineers, Voith
Siemens Hydro Power Generation
Design Notes:
The dam crest is 440 meters long. The
dam is 7 meters wide at the crest and
37 to 52 meters wide at the foundation.
The dam has a gated spillway with three
radial gates and a discharge capacity of
6,150 cubic meters per second. During
design of the dam, it was proposed to
change the elevation of the second right
gallery from 974 meters to 998 meters.
This reduced the total length of access
and grouting galleries required from
822 meters to 275 meters. This reduc-
tion in length shortened excavation
time required by seven months.
Excavation Notes:
The volume of excavation work re-
quired was 1 million cubic meters for
the powerhouse, 124,000 cubic meters
for the water conveyance tunnels, and
590,000 cubic meters for the intake.
Construction Notes:
Construction of this project began in
2001. The drilling and grouting op-
eration is estimated to be 680,000 cu-
bic meters, 380,000 of which is for the
r Resources
KARUN 4
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grout curtain and 300,000 for consoli-
dation of the spillway, abutments, and
foundation. Concrete is being placed for
the dam body using an air cable crane.
The surface powerhouse has been built
downstream of the dam. Four tunnels
with a total length of 1,400 meters con-
vey water from the intake to the tur-
bines. Construction is expected to be
complete at the end of 2009.
Information Obtained From: Davood
Zare, Hooman Mashayekhi, Javad
Amini, and Rahman Mamizadeh,
Iran Water and Power Resources De-
velopment Company
La Yesca
Country: Mexico
Owner: Comision Federal de
Electricidad
River: Santiago
Type: Concrete-Faced Rockfll
(CFRD)
Height: 205 meters
Volume: 12 million cubic meters
1,210 gigawatt-hours, underground
powerhouse 22 meters long by 103.5
meters wide by 50 meters high with
two units: Francis turbines and verti-
cal synchronous generators with 0.95
power factor
Anticipated Date of Completion: June
2012
Companies Involved:
Constructora de Proyectos Hidroelc-
tricos, Ingenieros Civiles Asociados
(ICA), La Peninsular Compaa Con-
structora, Power Machines, Promotora
e Inversora Adisa
Design Notes:
The main structure will be a concrete-
faced rockfll dam with external slopes
of 1.4 to 1 and a maximum height of
205 meters. The river will be diverted
through two tunnels on the left bank
of the river with a design discharge of
5,730 cubic meters per second (cms).
The spillway, also on the left bank, is 80
meters wide and will have a discharge
capacity of 15,110 cms.
Excavation Notes:
Excavation work for the project includes
open pit excavation of more than 14 mil-
lion cubic meters of material for the river
diversion, construction of the dam and
power station, spillway, and other works.
Underground excavation work for the
river diversion and construction of the
dam and powerhouse will involve about
650,000 cubic meters of material.
Construction Notes:
Construction of the project began in
September 2007. River diversion will
take place by the end of March 2009.
The project is expected to begin gen-
erating electricity in January 2012, with
the fnal unit on line in June 2012.
Information Obtained From: Evert Hernan-
dez, Comision Federal de Electricidad
Mazar
Country: Ecuador
Owner: Hidropaute SA
River: Paute
Type: Concrete-Faced Rockfll (CFRD)
Height: 166 meters
Volume: 5 million cubic meters of
rockfll
1,280 gigawatt-hours, underground
power house 62 meters long by 21 me-
ters wide by 41 meters high with two
units: Francis turbines and vertical axis
synchronous semi-umbrella 100 mega-
volt-ampere generators
Anticipated Date of Completion: December
2009
Estimated Cost:
US$362 million
Companies Involved:
Alstom, Caminosca Ing-
enieria, Coyne et Bellier,
Herdoiza Crespo, Im-
pregilo, Leme Engenha-
ria Ltd., MN Ingenieria,
Santos CMI, Siemens,
Voith Siemens Hydro
Power Generation
Design Notes:
Numerical analysis, by
means of a three-di-
mensional model, was
used to determine the stresses and defor-
mation generated in the rockfll and the
concrete face of the dam. To deal with
these stresses and deformation, design-
ers are using 7.5-meter-wide slabs in the
vertical compression zone and 15-meter-
wide slabs in the remainder of the dam.
The vertical compression joints of the
concrete face will have 3.2-centimeter-
wide spaces to prevent development of
high stresses on the concrete face.
Excavation Notes:
Excavation work was performed to place
the tunnels and the underground pow-
erhouse. The diversion tunnel for the
project has a diameter of 12.26 meters
and is 1,202 meters long. The power
tunnel is 6 meters in diameter and 433
meters long. Other tunnels (discharge,
access, etc.) are about 5,000 meters long
in total.
Construction Notes:
Construction work began in April
2005. The river was diverted in De-
cember 2006, and the 45-meter-high
upstream coferdam was completed
in January 2007. Work on the rock-
fll portion of the dam was completed
in September 2008. Placement of the
concrete slabs was to be completed
at the beginning of 2009. To achieve
high quality and performance for the
rockfll in the dam, Hidropaute ad-
opted several advanced techniques,
including numerical analysis of a
three-dimensional model and curtain
reinforcement of the concrete face
slab in areas of stress.
Information Obtained From: Segundo Vane-
gas, Hidropaute SA
w.hcipub.com
MAZAR
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May 25th to 29th, 2009
May 21st to 24th, 2009
77th ANNUAL MEETING
23rd ICOLD CONGRESS
Du 25 au 29 Mai 2009
Du 21 au 24 Mai 2009
77me RUNION ANNUELLE
23me CONGRS DE LA CIGB
COMMISSION INTERNATIONALE DES GRANDS BARRAGES - CIGB
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON LARGE DAMS - ICOLD
BRASILIA ALVORADA HOTEL
CONVENTION CENTER
WELCOME TO BRASILIA
home: www.icoldbrasilia2009.org
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E Q U I P M E N T
Mr. Gummer is a director of Hydro-Con-
sult Pty Ltd., a company special izing in
feasibility studies, specifica tion, and
contract administration of mechanical
and electrical equipment for hydroelec-
tric projects. John has worked for 45
years on equipment specification and
equipment con tractual problems with
the World Bank and about 20 govern-
ment org anizations and private con-
sulting companies on numerous hydro
projects, many of which have been in
hydro-abrasive prone environments.
T
he problem of hydro-abra-
sive erosion of hydraulic
machinery is not limited to
hydroelectric plants. Simi-
lar problems to those encountered in
hy droelectric work are also prevalent
in the mining industry, dredging work,
and waste disposal. The blades of gas
turbines are subjected to erosion from
high-velocity solid particles and those
of steam turbines from liquid droplets.
Although experience gained in other
industries can and is applied to similar
problems in hydraulic turbines, hydro
requirements are somewhat unique in
requiring high machine ef ciencies
over relatively long periods between
maintenance and in the unpredict-
ability of the concentration, shape, and
mineral composition of the particle
load to be combated.
The problem of abrasive particles in
hydroelectric plants is not new. Euro-
pean and North American plants in al-
pine areas have combated the problem
for years. However, the problem is be-
coming more universal and more acute
with the increasing need for electricity
in developing countries and the world-
wide drive to promote renewable,
non-fossil fuel energy sources. Coun-
tries with the most spectacular annual
increases in per capita gross domestic
product, and subsequently with the
most need for economically viable, car-
bon-free energy, tend to be those with
the particle-laden rivers.
1
For example,
many of Indias potential hydroelectric
sites are in the north of the country and
are fed by run-of water from melt-
ing glaciers. Likewise, many of South
Americas viable sites are in the Andes;
large rivers in China can carry substan-
tial quantities of particles.
Hydro-abrasive erosion of hydraulic
turbines in these and other regions is
an ongoing problem and one which
needs to be solved or at least mitigated
if hydropower in these countries is to
reach its full carbon-free potential. The
problem is exacerbated by the favor-
able head and topography of many of
the rivers which, at least during parts
of the year, carry high particle content.
They tend to be in mountainous re-
gions, which imply a high head lead-
ing to a relatively low construction cost
per kilowatt. They typically have fewer
environmental and resettlement prob-
lems. However, these economic advan-
tages tend to be somewhat negated if
the development requires large expen-
ditures on extensive settling chambers
or long periods of diminished genera-
tion due to a seasonal high particle load
in the river.
Mechanisms of
hydro-abrasive erosion
Tests on curved hydraulic conduits
show that, on the outside curve of the
conduit (equivalent to the pressure side
of a Francis turbine blade or a Pelton
runner bucket), even at relatively low
velocity, particles above 1,000 micro-
meters (m) in diameter will not follow
the hydraulic contour, and will impact
upon and damage the hydraulic sur-
face.
2
Particles with diameters between
100 m and 1,000 m will tend to be
channeled along the outer hydrau-
lic contour, and their propensity for
damage will be progressively less. For
particle diameters below 100 m, the
surface damage increases considerably.
This is because small particles become
en trained in the turbulent boundary
layer, which encases all hydraulic sur-
faces, and results in a sand blasting of
the surface.
Overall erosion from fne particles, if
in suf cient quantity, can be as great as
By John H. Gummer
Some of the most attractive hydro sites are plagued by silt at certain times of the
year. Silt erosion of the hydraulic turbines at these sites is typically controlled by
upstream settling chambers and turbine protective coatings; however, further work
is needed to better predict and control silt erosion.
Combating Silt Erosion in Hydraulic Turbines
This article has been evaluated and edited in
accordance with reviews conducted by two or
more professionals who have relevant exper-
tise. These peer reviewers judge manuscripts
for technical accuracy, usefulness, and overall
importance within the hydroelectric industry.
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that from large particles. Past research
indicates that, due to fow separation,
the inside bend surface (equivalent to
the suction side of a Francis turbine
blade) experiences a steady increase
in damage as the particle size decreas-
es. However, this generality has been
contested.
The efect of particle density is simi-
lar to that of size. A particle of greater
density will have greater momentum
and thus be more inclined to reach the
surface in the case of larger particles
and less inclined to be entrained in the
boundary layer in the case of smaller
particles. A particle can only apprecia-
bly damage a softer surface; a particle
hardness of 5 Mohs is generally consid-
ered the cutof value for hydraulic tur-
bines. As a general rule, the base mate-
rials used for hydraulic components in
a hydro-abrasive environment should
be as hard as possible.
Theoretically, damage should be
proportional to relative free stream ve-
locity cubed. However, probably due
to boundary layer efects, this is not
entirely refected in practice. Generally
accepted experimentally determined
exponents for relative free stream ve-
locity are:
Pelton bucket, 1.5;
Pelton nozzles, 2.5;
Francis runners, 3; and
Francis wicket gates and cheek-
plates, 2.5.
A particles angle of attack to the
hydraulic surface gives rise to two dis-
tinct erosion mechanisms. A particle
approaching nearly normal to the sur-
face will produce impact damage in
which the surface is initially cracked,
subsequently loosened with further
impacts, and fnally excavated as the
already cracked and loosened particle
is removed by another impacting par-
ticle. A particle approaching parallel to
the surface will scratch and gouge the
surface similar to that of mechanical
grinding. For angles between the two
extremes, the erosion mechanism will
be a combination of both.
The resistance to impact or goug-
ing erosion will depend on the char-
acteristics of the hydraulic surface. Very
hard base materials tend to be brittle
and have limited resistance to impact
erosion. On the other hand, extremely
hard base materials are very resistant to
gouging erosion. Conversely, soft rub-
bery materials (including soft plastics)
exhibit a good resistance to impact
erosion but less resistance under the
chiseling action of gouging erosion.
These generalities do not necessarily
apply to protective coatings, for which
the efectiveness of the bond between
coating and base material and the abil-
ity of both the coating and its bond to
accommodate fexing of the protected
component in operation are additional,
equally important, variables.
The shape of the particles is especially
relevant for gouging erosion where the
particle adopts a cutting action. A sharp-
edged, irregular particle can have a far
greater deleterious efect on the surface
than a well-rounded or spherical par-
ticle. Under the gouging mode of ero-
sion, experiments indicate that the ero-
sion rate of a jagged particle can be up
to three times that of round particle.
Particle concentration is usually ex-
pressed in grams per liter (g/l). How-
ever, often parts per million (ppm) by
weight is used, with the approxima-
tion of 1,000 ppm equal to 1 g/l being
normal usage. For a particular facility,
particle concentration is essentially a
temporal measure (i.e., the greater the
concentration, the higher the erosion
rate and hence less time to equipment
failure). At many facilities, concentra-
tion is measured and operation of the
units ceases when the particle contrac-
tion exceeds a pre-determined value.
Erosion rate is essentially proportional
to concentration over the practical op-
erating range for a hydropower unit,
but there are indications that at higher
concentrations at which hydropower
stations typically no longer operate, a
power law may be more appropriate.
The efect of particles on cavitation
in hydraulic reaction turbines is two-
fold.
3
Particles 50 m in diameter or
less provide nuclei for cavitation bub-
bles, leading to premature commence-
ment of incipient cavitation at Thoma
sigma values higher than in pure water.
Cavitation bubble development simi-
larly refects the premature commence-
ment of cavitation. The second, equally
serious efect of hydro-abrasive erosion
is that it locally changes the hydraulic
contour, which, in turn, disrupts the
fow and increases both the propen-
sity for and intensity of the cavitation
This hydro-abrasive particle damage on the trailing edge of a high-head Francis turbine run-
ner occurred after only a few months of operation in a heavily particle-laden river in India.
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bubble implosion. The impacts from
the implosion of the cavitation bubbles
fatigue and loosen the hy draulic sur-
face, adding to the erosion damage and
making it easier for the impacting par-
ticles to remove damaged material. The
combination of cavitation and erosion
is referred to as a synergistic efect,
the damage re sulting from the combi-
nation of the two being far greater than
the sum of each acting alone.
Turbine components affected by
hydro-abrasive erosion
The relatively low stream velocity in
the casing of a Pelton unit means that
it is minimally afected by hydro-abra-
sive erosion. Nozzles, however, suf-
fer greatly; the nozzle spear and trim
erode badly, with a resulting decrease
in overall turbine ef ciency. The inside
of Pelton buckets sufers considerable
erosion. Splitters tend to sufer impact
erosion and the buckets a mixture of
impact and gouging. Turbine ef ciency
is compromised, especially as a result of
erosion of the splitter.
As with Pelton units, because of rela-
tively low velocities, the scroll casing of
a Francis unit is typically immune from
hydro-abrasive erosion. The nose of the
stay vanes can be damaged by impact
erosion, but usually this a not a major
concern. Wicket gates sufer from both
impact damage and gouging erosion.
Top and bottom cover cheek plates and
runner labyrinth seals sustain consider-
able damage from gouging erosion.
Francis runners experience major
damage at the leading edge due to im-
pact erosion and equally severe loss of
material along the length of the blades
from a combination of gouging ero-
sion and impact erosion. Trailing edges,
because of their initial thinness, are par-
ticularly prone to damage.
Erosion of all the above mentioned
components eventually means a con-
siderable loss of ef ciency. Losses in-
clude volumetric ef ciency due to
increase in laby rinth seal and guide
vane clearances, form ef ciency due to
the change in hy drau lic profle of the
wicket gates and runner blades, and in-
crease in frictional losses resulting from
roughening of the hy draulic surfaces.
Paradoxically, the initial erosion of the
trailing edges can produce an in crease
in ef ciency due to widening of the
fow path; however, this is short-lived
as the other detrimental efects of ero-
sion come into play. Likewise, erosion
from small particles can grind and hone
the surface, leading to an initial reduc-
tion in friction. This advantage is soon
swamped by a loss in ef ciency result-
ing from deleterious changes in the hy-
draulic profle.
Methods to predict erosion
in hydraulic turbines
State-of-the-art computational fuid
dy namics (CFD) methods are em ployed
to further understand the mechanics of
hydro-abrasive erosion and, in particu-
lar, to design erosion-resistant hy drau l ic
profles. This typically implies lower spe-
cifc speeds than normal for the given
head (hence lower relative velocities),
coupled with fewer jets in the case of
Pelton turbines and longer, less sharply
contoured blades for Francis turbines.
Where the probability of severe hydro-
abrasive erosion is high, it is sometimes
economically expedient to sacrifce as
new turbine ef ciency for a greater
resistance to hydro-abrasive erosion.
The setting of a Francis turbine relative
to minimum tailwater level should be
greater than normally accepted to en-
sure minimal cavitation damage.
The computerized methods success-
fully predict the region of maximum
wear and can somewhat mitigate the
problem by refning hydraulic design
and predicting the exact type and po-
sition of protective coatings needed.
However, they are incapable of accom-
modating all the independent variables
involved in hydro-abrasive erosion of
any particular turbine. For this, one
has to resort to semi-empirical meth-
ods based upon the myriad of data
from operating turbines and from ac-
celerated wear laboratory tests. The
semi-empirical methods combine the
various factors that infuence the rate
of erosion under particular and defn-
able particle conditions but, because of
the deeper setting of an erosion-prone
Francis unit, typically do not account
for the synergistic efects of cavitation
and hydro-abrasive erosion.
The simplest of the various ero-
sion criteria employs the factor H x C,
where H is the net head of the turbine
in meters and C is the average annual
particle concentration in g/l of all par-
ticles with a diameter of > 50 m.
4
The
proposed ranges for hydro-abrasive
erosion damage risk are:
H x C = > 7: severe;
H x C = >0.7 and < 7: moder-
ate; and
H x C = < 0.7: negligible.
Proposed by Nozaki as an extension
of the Zu Yan approach is the modifed
particle concentration factor, which is
the product of the annual average par-
ticle concentration in g/l and modify-
ing coef cients related to the variables
of particle size, hardness, shape, and
runner material.
5
The factor is shown
in Equation 1:
PE = P x a x k
1
x k
2
x k
3
where:
Table 1
Factors for Use with Equation 1
Grain size (millimeters) a
Diameter = 0.05 1
Diameter = > 0.05 d/0.05
Grain Form k
1
Round 0.75
Angular 1.00
Extremely Angular 1.25
Particle Hardness (Mohs) k
2
>3 1
<3 0.5
Turbine material k
3
X5 Cr/Ni 13/4 1.0
Cast steel 2.3
Bronze 4.0
Stellite 0.3
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Figure 1
PE is the modifed suspended
concentration in g/l;
P is the measured suspended
concentration in g/l; and
Factors a, k
1
, k
2
, and k
3
depend
on the type and geometry of the par-
ticles and type of runner material (see
Table 1).
The fnal value is then used in curves
of PE against turbine net head to pre-
dict times between maintenance. Fig-
ure 1 gives an example of the curves
for Francis runners. Similar charts are
available for Francis wicket gates, Pelton
runners, and Pelton spears and trim.
5
A more sophisticated approach, which
takes into consideration the component
makeup of the particle load and accom-
modates variable particle concentrations
in respect to time (as opposed to average
annual concentrations), is that given by
the Abrasion Index. This index consid-
ers the contribution in terms of hard-
ness and size of
each compo-
nent mineral
in the particle
load and then
incor porates
this in a for-
mula linking
the hardness of
the base mate-
rial and rela-
tive free stream
velocity to ob-
tain the ero-
sion rate.
6
The main
use of these
e m p i r i c a l
measures is in
initial feasibil-
ity work to determine whether hydro-
abrasive erosion is going to be a problem
at a site. If the answer is in the af rma-
tive, the project designer will want to
consider incorporating particle exclu-
sion facilities, a hydro-abrasive erosion
This curve shows predictions of time between maintenance for
Francis runners, based on the concentration of suspended sediment
in the water and the net head of the turbine.
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friendly turbine and powerhouse design,
and possibly turbine protective coatings.
The various approaches to the prob-
lems of hydro-abrasive erosion typi-
cally take an overall view and do not
consider the individual efects of tur-
bine operational ef ciency at and away
from the whirl-free region in the
case of reaction turbines and of-design
operating conditions for impulse units.
Considering the increase in turbulence
and cavitation at operation away from
the point of best ef ciency, hydro-abra-
sive erosion will be greater the further
the unit operates away from its opti-
mum region especially if synergistic
efects are dominant.
Particle exclusion methods
The frst weapon against hydro-abra-
sive erosion is to try to remove it before
it reaches the hydro facility. The most
ef cient method of removing particles
is to provide a large head water reser-
voir which, if of great enough volume
and length, will settle out all harmful
particles. However, although very ef-
fective, it must be remembered that
unless provided with efective bottom
outlets, a reservoir is only a delaying
device. Eventually it will fll and, given
adverse topography, deposited particles
will reach the turbine inlets.
Many mountainous hydroelectric fa-
cilities do not lend themselves to large
upstream reservoirs. In these cases, the
only viable solution is settling cham-
bers with fushing facilities. The design
of such chambers is well established,
and their ef cacy in removing particles
greater than 1 millimeter (mm) is uni-
versally recognized. For convenience,
incoming load can be divided into three
categories: coarse (>200 m); medium
(75 m to 200 m); and fne (<75 m).
Res ervoirs are ef cient in removing all
particles down to the upper fne size
but settling chambers have their limi-
tations. Although they re move virtu-
ally all coarse particles, depending on
in coming concentration, they can pass
about 80 percent of fne particles. For
me dium particles, re moval efectiveness
is a function of particle size, falling be-
tween the two ex tremes. As hard, sharp
particles as small as 50 m in large
quantities can cause damage to hy drau-
lic turbines, it is important for designers
to acknowledge that, even with settling
chambers, in heavily particle-laden riv-
ers (up to a 20 g/l peak concentration
in some Himalayan rivers
7
) a signifcant
particle content will have to be accom-
modated in the turbines and auxiliaries
at certain times of the year.
Protective coatings
As settling chambers inevitably pass sub-
stantial quantities of aggressive particles,
in many practical instances the turbine
still has to be designed for, and its sur-
faces protected against, the maximum
expected particle load downstream of
the chambers at which operation of the
units is allowed.
Two criteria for judging the efec-
tiveness of a coating are: particle levels
at which the turbine is shut down are as
high as possible; and the time between
repairs is as long as possible. A third cri-
terion is the ease and speed by which
repairs to the coating can be made.
Protective coatings fall into two cat-
egories: hard coatings such as welded
Stellite and thermally applied ceramic
and tungsten carbide; and soft coat-
ings, which are typically a brush, trowel,
or spray-on polymer. Variants of the
pure hard coating are the thermally ap-
plied systems of hard particles in a softer
matrix. These hybrid systems bridge
the gap between hard and soft coatings
while maintaining the potentially supe-
rior bonding strength of the thermal ap-
plication process when compared with
the brush or spray-on application of soft
coatings. Conversely, the resistance of
soft coatings against particle erosion de-
Maintenance-friendly designs
A unit operating with particle-laden water should be designed for ease of
mainte nance and repair. This makes the standard barrel-type vertical design
for Francis turbines, where the generator must be removed in order to access
the turbine parts, unsuitable other than for very large units where repair in
situ is possible.
Small- to medium-sized vertical Francis units typical in high to medium
head plants should be designed for bottom dismantling of the runner, bot-
tom ring, discharge ring, and wicket gates. This design provides for access to
these components and the head cover and check plates for repair. Because of
demand for this feature, the size of Francis turbines with this arrangement is
increasing. Runner diameters of up to 5.1 meters have been constructed with
bottom dismantling.
The question of whether to choose Pelton or Francis turbines has been on-
going for many years. There is no clearcut answer, as both suffer from hydro-
abrasive erosion. A Pelton unit is easier to maintain, but civil costs will be high-
er in order to accommodate the larger machine. This may be compensated,
in part, in a surface facility by the cost of the additional excavation required
for Francis unit. Each project has to be considered separately and a reasoned
judgment made based on economics, ease of maintenance, site topography,
and geology.
Particles can erode heat exchanger tubes if velocities are too high and
block them if velocities are too low. If particles are known to be a problem,
then closed loop cooling water systems are installed with duplicate raw wa-
ter/closed loop water heat exchangers. Raw water piping should be stainless
steel. The turbine shaft seal should be designed for hydro-abrasive conditions
and, if required by the design, provided with a supply of well-filtered water to
reduce wear.
Availability of spare runners, nozzles, wicket gates, and cheek plates en-
able damaged parts to be quickly replaced and subsequently repaired and/or
recoated for re-installation during the next maintenance outage.
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pends on the type of polymer, the surface
quality, and the bond ef ciency. Given
the correct composition and bond for
the particular application, a soft coating
can be every bit as efective against par-
ticle erosion as a hard coating.
Hard ceramic coatings have a poorer
resistance to cavitation compared with
soft coatings. On the other hand, soft
coatings are particularly susceptible to
damage from water-borne stones and
hard debris. Soft coatings, being inher-
ently more fexible than hard ones, can
better accommodate any movement of
a protected component in service. In the
case of narrow hydraulic channels, soft
coatings may be the only option owing
to insuf cient clearance to accommo-
date the equipment for hard coating ap-
plication. Hard and hybrid coatings are
typically thinner than soft ones and have
more stringent thickness tolerances.
If a coating is worn in service, the old
coating must be removed, the compo-
nent weld repaired if the base metal is
damaged, and the coating reapplied. Be-
ing brush applied, soft coatings are eas-
ier to repair than hard coatings. Repair
of soft coatings on larger units can be
done in-situ. Hard coatings are far more
dif cult to repair; typically, the remain-
ing hard coating must be removed by
grinding and a new coating applied in
the suppliers factory. This is very time-
consuming but can be accelerated to a
certain extent in multi-unit stations ex-
periencing substantial particle erosion
by installing hard coating repair equip-
ment at the project site.
The choice of a hard or soft coating
depends on the characteristics of the
particular component to be protected,
the hydraulic forces to which it is sub-
jected in service, and the ease of applica-
tion and repair of the coating. In choos-
ing the type of coating, it is prudent to
remember there are very few compo-
nents that sufer only pure impact or
pure gouging erosion. Typically, it is a
combination of both.
Accordingly, hard thermally applied
coatings are more suited to components
requiring tight dimensional clearances
such as Pelton nozzles, Pelton buckets,
Francis runner wearing rings, and Fran-
cis cheek plates. Because of their ease of
repair, the prevalent use of soft coatings
is on the water passages of stay vanes (if
necessary), wicket gates, and runners;
however, depending on the prevailing
site conditions, hard and hybrid coatings
are also used for the hydraulic surfaces of
wicket gates and runner blades.
Commercially available products can
be applied to a damaged component as a
mastic fller. This application repairs the
component surface and provides a resis-
tant surface to subsequent hydro-abra-
sive erosion. A caution: the mastic has no
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strength in tension; if the erosion of the
base material is substantial, the structural
integrity of the component is inevitably
compromised.
In general, all commercial coatings
show a markedly improved hydro-abra-
sive erosion resistance in service when
compared with commonly used base
materials such as soft Martensitic stain-
less steel. In addition to actual in-service
performance, coating materials are often
evaluated under laboratory conditions
with the ensuing published results show-
ing substantial lower erosion rates than
the typical base material and proprietary
coatings of other suppliers. These results
and those from previous hydro projects
may or may not be relevant to a par-
ticular facility. Experience has shown
that coating performance depends very
much on actual site conditions. A coat-
ing may perform well at one site or in
general laboratory tests but may not be
suitable for the site under study.
8
How-
ever, both laboratory testing and past ex-
perience at similar sites are good starting
points for the development of a tailor-
made coating for a new development.
Contractual considerations
There is no known hydraulic machine
code that specifcally applies to hydro-
abrasive erosion guarantees. The In ter-
national Electrotechnical Com mission
(IEC) Technical Committee #4s Work-
ing Group 29 is working on this prob-
lem, and the draft code Guide for
Dealing with Abrasive Erosion in Water
may be available in the future. IEC Code
60609 addresses wear of specifc turbine
parts; it covers the guarantee and evalu-
ation for cavitation damage in reaction
turbines and pumps (Part 1) and impulse
turbines (Part 2). However, Clause 1.3
of this code specifcally excludes dam-
age due to abrasive solids in the water,
stating that if relevant, the types of min-
erals and size of solid (sand) particles in
the water analysis and, if it reaches sig-
nifcant proportion, shall be the subject
of a special agreement.
This statement is refected in most
equipment contracts, which give a loss
of material criterion for cavitation dam-
age, but typically exclude erosion dam-
age due to particles in the water. The
recommendation of IEC 60609 for the
purchaser to enter into a mutually ac-
ceptable agreement with the proposed
contractor for combined cavitation and
particle damage guarantee sounds sim-
ple in principle but is extremely dif -
cult to apply in practice. Contractors are
understandably loath to guarantee their
products against particle erosion when
the incoming particle conditions cannot
be entirely controlled. The possibility of
synergistic cavitation and subsequent
erosion only exacerbates the situation.
A cavitation guarantee is meaningless
if the hy draulic surfaces are aggressively
attacked by particles.
Contractors acceptance of guaran-
tees for hydro-abrasive erosion would
be benefcial to both purchaser (in order
for him to assure unit output) and the
contractor, in order for him to receive
commensurate consideration during bid
evaluation of his research and develop-
ment expenditure on particle damage.
A major obstacle to obtaining guar-
antees for particle damage from a manu-
facturer is the problem of exactly defn-
ing the particle load and monitoring it
during the guarantee period to ensure
compliance with the limits stipulated in
the contract. Historical records are obvi-
ously a guide to establishing the contrac-
tual particle load, but, because of the un-
knowns of the ef cacy of settlement in
reservoirs, power channels, and settling
chambers, these may not be adequate
for guarantee purposes. In addition, a
change to the historical particle load is
possible because of upstream landslides,
an event which is almost impossible to
design for.
The current methods for monitoring
particle load are sample taking and of-
line analysis, which is slow and labor in-
tensive. On-line optical or acoustic dif-
fusion techniques are being developed.
9
Coupled with the problems of defning
and monitoring the actual particle load
is the possibility of gross damage to any
protective surface by large debris (stones,
rocks, and hard foreign objects); howev-
er, this is unlikely (but not impossible)
if settling facilities are installed and the
inlet water channels are lined.
Further research and development
into all aspects of combating hydro-
abrasive erosion is necessary if the pro-
tection of hydraulic turbines against
this form of damage is to be put onto
a contractual basis as covered by an ap-
propriate international code acceptable
to all parties.
Notes
1
Krishnamachar, P., and S. Rangnekar, Correla-
tion of Hydropower Po tential of Silt Load of Riv-
ers Means to Access Damage by Silt Due To
Not Harnessing Hydro power, HydroVision 2008
Conf er ence Papers CD-Rom, HCI Publica tions,
Kansas City, Mo., USA, 2008.
2
Ortmanns, C., and S. Prigent, Turbine Abrasion
and Desilting Chamber De sign, Hydro 2006
Conference Papers CD-Rom, Aqua-Media In-
ter national. Ltd., Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom,
2006.
3
Shengcai, L.L., Cavitation Enhance ment in Silt
Erosion: Obstacles and Way Forward, 5th Inter-
national Symposium of Cavitation, Osaka, Japan,
2003.
4
Zu-Yan, M., Review of Research on Abra-
sion and Cavitation of Silt Laden Flows through
Hydraulic Tur bines in China, 18th IAHR Sym-
posium on Hydraulic Ma chin ery and Cavitation,
Inter national Association of Hydraulic Engineer-
ing and Re search, Valencia, Spain, 1996.
5
Nozaki, T., Technical Report: Estimation of Re-
pair Cycle of Turbine Due To Abrasion Caused
By Suspended Sedi ment and De termination of
Desilting Basin Capacity, Japan International Co-
operation Agency, 1990.
6
Sharma, S.K., Sediment Management in Himala-
yan Rivers, HydroVision 2006 Conference Papers
CD-Rom, HCI Publications, Kansas City, Mo.,
USA, 2006.
7
Dhar, D.K., and P. Dul, Silting Problems in Hy-
dropower Plants, Waterpower XV Conference
Papers CD-Rom, HCI Pub lications, Kansas City,
Mo., USA, 2007.
8
Sharma, M.K., G.S. Grewal, and A.K. Singh, Silt
Erosion in Indian Hydro electric Projects Labo-
ratory Studies of Thermal Spray Coatings over
Hydro Tur bine Components, HydroVision 2008
Conference Papers CD-Rom, HCI Pub lica tions,
Kansas City, Mo., USA, 2008.
9
Bishakarma, M.B., Online Moni toring of Sedi-
ments in Hydropower Plants: A System for Assess-
ing the Turbine Ex posure and Sediment-Induced
Efects, Waterpower XIV Conference Papers CD-
Rom, HCI Publications, Kansas City, Mo., USA,
2005.
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For further details of our events, contact: mb@hydropower-dams.com or call: +44 (0)20 773 7244
For Journal advertising or event sponsorship opportunities, contact: sales@hydropower-dams.com or call: +44 (0)20 773 7250
www.hydropower-dams.com
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
Lyon, France ~ 26-28 October 2009
Progress - Potential - Plans
&
Hosted by: Supporting Organizations include:
Following two previous successful events, which took place in Bangkok, Thailand (2006) and Danang, Vietnam (2008), we are taking the next event in this series to Malaysia,
a country in the heart of South East Asia with a long history of hydropower development and to the State of Sarawak which is deeply committed to renewable energy development.
Delegations from around 50 countries will assemble to discuss all aspects of water resources development of particular relevance to the Asian region.
The Conference is being planned in collaboration with: Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Sarawak Hidro and Syarikat SESCO Berhad. Speakers will represent the major water and energy utilities
of the Asia and Pacific regions, as well as financiers, environmental specialists, and international experts on all aspects of dams, hydropower and other renewable energy sources.
A major Technical Exhibition will take place alongside ASIA 2010, with more than 20 exhibitors and 35 stands already reserved. For further details and plan updates please contact:
sales@hydropower-dams.com or call +44 (0)20 773 7250
Third International Conference on
Water Resources and Renewable Energy Development in Asia
Conference and Exhibition
Borneo International Convention Centre Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia ~ 29 and 30 March 2010
HYDRO 2009 will be the 16th annual Hydro Conference to be organized by Aqua~Media International, in partnership with NetWork Events.
The events have progressively increased in size and scope, and typically bring together delegations from more than 70 countries.
The Conference and Exhibition will bring together planners, developers, owners and operators, environmental specialists, financiers,
researchers, manufacturers and suppliers for an exchange of expertise which will be constructive in furthering well planned hydropower
development worldwide. As always, much emphasis will be placed on meeting the needs of the less developed countries; this will be reflected
strongly in the programme.
As usual at the annual Hydro Conferences, a major Technical Exhibition will take place alongside the HYDRO 2009 Conference.
All lunch and refreshment breaks will take place in the Exhibition Hall. About 160 companies active in the hydro profession will have the
opportunity to display their products and services.
Hosted by:
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R E S E R V O I R E M I S S I O N S
Joel Goldenfum, PhD, is the green house
gas project manager for the International
Hydropower Associa tion (IHA). IHA is a
non-governmental association working
to advance hydropowers role in meeting
the worlds water and energy needs.
Filling the Knowledge Gap:
Greenhouse Gas Research
By Joel Avruch Goldenfum
The International Hydropower Association and the United Nations Educational,
Scientifc and Cultural Organization are embarking on a four-year greenhouse
gas research project. Through this efort, the organizations intend to develop meth-
ods for accurately measuring emissions from freshwater reservoirs and to provide
guidance to project developers and owners about how to mitigate emissions at
vulnerable sites.
C
limate change is one of to-
days most important pol-
icy subjects for sustainable
development. The issue of
greenhouse gas emissions from fresh-
water reservoirs plays a role in these
discussions, and there are still many
questions to be answered. The Green-
house Gas (GHG) Research Project,
being per formed by the International
Hydropower Association (IHA) in col-
laboration with the United Nations
Educational, Scientifc and Cultural
Org anization (UNESCO), aims to im-
prove understanding of the efect of
reservoirs on natural GHG emissions.
Background
Hydropower was, for a long time,
considered an emission-free source of
energy. Today, it is known that all en-
ergy options have a life-cycle GHG
footprint, caused by their construction,
operation, and, in the case of thermal
power, fueling. Although it is a renew-
able source of energy, hydropower can
be a source of GHG emissions, as hy-
droelectric reservoirs may emit both
carbon dioxide (CO
2
) and methane
(CH
4
) two primary GHGs. The
real extent of these emissions as part
of the global carbon cycle is not well
addressed.
All freshwater systems emit GHGs
due to decomposing organic mate-
rial. Lakes, rivers, estuaries, wetlands,
seasonal fooded zones, and reservoirs
emit GHG. Within a given region that
shares similar ecological conditions,
reservoirs and natural water systems
produce similar levels of emissions per
unit area. In some cases, natural water
bodies and freshwater res ervoirs ab sorb
more GHG than they emit.
Freshwater reservoirs are collec-
tion points of material coming from
the en tire drainage basin area. As part
of the natural cycle, organic matter is
fushed into this collection point from
the surrounding terrestrial ecosystems.
In addition, domestic sewage, in dustrial
waste, and agricultural pollution enter
the system and produce GHG emis-
sions. Estimates of man-made GHG
emissions from a reservoir need to
consider only the net change in emis-
sions by subtracting the natural absorp-
tion/emission from the inundated ter-
restrial land, wetlands, rivers, and lakes
that were located in the area before
impoundment, as well as the emissions
caused by distant hu man ac tivities in
the catchment.
The measurements of carbon diox-
ide and methane from the surface and
downstream reaches of some reservoirs
indicate that the emissions warrant
further investigation. The investiga-
tion needs to determine to what ex-
tent emissions may have been elevated
or re duced by the creation and opera-
tion of the reservoir. Currently, there
is not enough information or tools to
support sound decisions about existing
and new reservoirs. There is little ex-
perience with possible mitigation mea-
sures, particularly with any relevance to
global inventories of GHG fuxes.
Data from tropical reservoirs indi-
cates that methane emissions vary not
only among reservoirs, but also within
each reservoir, as a function of type and
density of the submerged soil/vegeta-
tion, aquatic macrophyte growth, tem-
perature, oxygen saturation, water level,
and other factors.
Only a limited number of sites in the
tropical and sub-tropical regions have
been investigated. Few reservoirs have
been studied in detail anywhere in the
world. The methodology being used
for measurements are not standardized.
Most of the investigations to date have
been using surface fux measurements
only and lack the rigor and scope to
estimate the emission increase or re-
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duc tion induced by the reservoir.
There have been the inevitable at-
tempts at comparisons between GHG
emissions from hydro power and ther-
mal plants. Some studies using
extreme cases lead to the con-
clusion that reservoirs emit
considerable amounts of GHGs
(e.g. 7 percent of all man-made
emissions). However, most still
argue that, in the vast majority
of cases, hydropower substantially
ofsets GHG emissions that would oth-
erwise have been produced by genera-
tion from fossil fuels.
When hydropowers GHG emis-
sions are assessed, natural pre-im-
poundment emissions need to be taken
into account. This assessment of natural
emissions, in cluding eco systems that
are periodically fooded under natu-
ral conditions, is important. Several
publications have simply neglected to
consider natural emissions, potentially
overestimating the role of hydropowers
GHG emissions.
Research project details
The purpose of the IHA/UNESCO
research project is to evaluate the car-
bon footprint (changes in GHG emis-
sions in a river basin due to the con-
struction of a freshwater reservoir) as
well as potential mitigation measures.
Four objectives are to:
1) Develop guidance for net GHG
measurements in freshwater reservoirs;
2) Promote scientifcally rigorous
measurements and calculate net emis-
sions from a representative set of fresh-
water reservoirs;
3) Develop predictive modeling
tools to assess the GHG status of un-
monitored reservoirs and potential new
reservoir sites; and
4) Develop guidance and assess-
ment tools for mitigation of GHG
emissions.
The expected output of this project
includes: guidance to ensure standard-
ized GHG measurements in freshwater
reservoirs; a standardized, credible set
of data from representative reservoirs; a
methodology and set of tools for pre-
dicting reservoir-induced emissions,
in cluding an empirical model and a
process-based model for pre-
diction of carbon budget and
GHG emission of freshwa-
ter reservoirs; and guidance
on mitigation options for
vulnerable sites.
Critical to this initiative is
to develop guidance for mea-
surement meth odology, and to choose
a robust set of criteria for the selection
of res ervoirs for measurements.
To have reliable measurements of
vari ables and parameters, a guide is re-
quired to create a standard code to be
fol lowed in new measurements. It is
also necessary to develop guidance in
how to use existing measurements and
as sessments.
Several indicators, such as geograph-
ical areas and gradients in characteris-
tics, will guide the selection of sites for
measurements and model de velopment
and testing. Sites will in clude all climate
types, but with em phasis on tropical re-
gions in Latin America, Afri ca, and Asia.
An expert panel will defne the site se-
lection criteria in de tail. Pos sible im-
portant criteria include: carbon loading,
in cluding natural and an thropogenic
contributions; reservoir area; res ervoir
depth; reservoir residence time; reser-
voir age; engineering issues
such as intake level and lo-
cation of gates; fooded soil
and vegetation; climate; and
limnological condition.
Because all combinations
of gradients cannot be repre-
sented, it is recommended to select one
or two parameters as the primary cri-
teria and to determine how representa-
tive the chosen reservoirs are accord-
ing to the other criteria. Practical issues
such as accessibility to the reservoir,
local political situations, local facilities,
manpower available, and the support/
resources of the host will also infu-
ence the selection process.
The modeling component is still to
start, as data is gathered. Diferent re-
sults are anticipated from the empirical
and process-based models. Because the
empirical models are more easily cali-
brated, it is not uncommon that they
provide better predictive results than
process-based models. On the other
hand, process-based models are much
more powerful to produce more reli-
able estimates of results due to changes
in the system characteristics. In short:
empirical models can be better for us-
ing as a predictive tool. However, pro-
cess-based models are superior when
the understanding of system dynamics
is needed; for example, in the assess-
ment of any mitigation measures.
Viewpoint of IHA
Hydropower is one of the most impor-
tant available sources of energy. It is re-
newable, free from the emissions asso-
ciated with fossil-fueled power plants,
such as acid gases, heavy metals, and
particulates. Hydro power generation
also reduces dependence on imported
fuel and fuel-price escalations. Hydro-
power generation can be switched on
and of according to needs, bringing
opportunities to sup port the develop-
ment of more in termittent renewables
and also the means to make thermal
power plants more ef cient (further
reducing emissions). Along with this,
reservoirs provide water
storage, supplying com-
munities, agriculture, and
industry, and help to pro-
tect against foods and
droughts. It is therefore
one of the most climate-
friendly of the current energy options.
There are still many unanswered
questions re lated to the real role of
hydropower as a source of man-made
GHG emissions. The IHA/UNESCO
GHG Re search Project aims to allow
a better evaluation of the carbon foot-
print, improving the knowledge about
the efect of hydropower on natural
GHG emissions.
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P R O J E C T D E S I G N
Jim Gordon is a hydro consulting engi-
neer and John Christensen, P.E., is presi-
dent of Christensen Associ ates Inc. They
worked together to develop the Hydro-
Help 1 tool.
O
ptimum conceptual
de sign of a hydroelec-
tric power plant for a
specifc site requires a
careful evaluation of turbine tech-
nology, generating equipment costs,
and experience cost data for various
plant confgurations. The HydroHelp
1 computer program is an evaluation
tool that aids hydro project develop-
ers in the work of choosing the best
combination of turbine and power-
house design. The program brings to-
gether the necessary analytical tools,
up-to-date technical information,
and experience cost data to enable
the user to develop a preliminary de-
sign for a hydro powerhouse. This is
only a preliminary design and should
be verifed and expanded to produce
a fnal design.
The program was developed with
assistance from CANMET Energy
Tech nology Centre, an energy, sci-
ence, and technology research orga-
nization in Canada. HydroHelp 1 is
available free of charge on the Inter-
net at www. hydrohelp.ca.
How the tool aids with
turbine selection
There are many diferent hydro tur-
bines available, ranging from hori-
zontal axis very-low-head mini-bulb
units to large high-head impulse
units. For example, for potential sites
with low to medium combinations
of fow (5 to 320 cubic meters per
second) and head (3 to 444 meters),
28 turbine choices are available. Nar-
rowing the specifcations still results
in several options. For instance, at
220 meters of head and 5 cubic me-
ters per second of fow, nine turbine
types are available. Because of the
large number of available turbine
types, selecting the optimum turbine
for a particular site can be a dif cult
process.
The HydroHelp 1 program can
aid in the process when selecting
turbines with a capacity larger than
about 1 MW. All algorithms used
in the program are based on data
contained in articles written by Jim
Gordon.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Initial turbine choices
The HydroHelp 1 program runs on
Microsoft Excel 2003 and occupies 2
Megabytes of memory. The print-out
that is produced when users com-
plete the program is four pages long,
plus an optional cover page.
The program requires the user to
enter 13 parameters describing the
turbine requirements. These param-
eters are either known from the site
conditions or chosen by the program
user (such as desired number of units,
generator power factor, and infation
ratio). These 13 inputs provide ade-
quate in for mation for initial turbine
selection based solely on equipment
cost. The parameters, and data en-
tered for illustrative purposes, are:
Full head pond elevation (in
meters): 405.0
Low head pond elevation (in
meters): 404.0
Conduit percent head loss: 2.5
Normal tailwater elevation (in
me ters): 380.0
Flood tailwater elevation (in
me ters): 398.0
Design plant fow (in cubic
me ters per second): 80.0
Desired number of units: 2
Summer water temperature (in
degrees Celsius): 15
Transmission system frequency
(in Hertz): 50
Generator power factor: 0.90
By James L. Gordon and John P. Christensen
An online tool, called HydroHelp 1, aids hydro project developers in the work of
choosing the best combination of turbine and powerhouse design for a particular site.
More than 100 developers have used this tool during preliminary project design.
New Tool Aids in
Turbine Selection Process
This article has been evaluated and edited in
accordance with reviews conducted by two or
more professionals who have relevant exper-
tise. These peer reviewers judge manuscripts
for technical accuracy, usefulness, and overall
importance within the hydroelectric industry.
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Maximum allowable gearbox
power (in megawatts): 2
Generator quality (utility or
in dustrial): industrial
Infation ratio since 2008: 1.01
Note the large rise in food tailwa-
ter in the above example. This is pro-
vided to illustrate the efect of such a
food level on equipment selection.
To assist the user, several comment
cells in the program provide assis-
tance with regard to data input. For
example, the comment on gearboxes
is: Speed increasers are available up
to about 13 MW. However, their use
is debatable above about 4 MW, and
they should not be considered above
about 10 MW. Lower gearbox capac-
ity to below turbine output to see
efect on cost. The comment associ-
ated with generator quality instructs
users to select an industrial genera-
tor for a site with a capacity with
less than 10 MW. With the comment
cells, a users manual is not required.
HydroHelp 1 uses the above data
to calculate the operating envelope
for each type of turbine detailed
in the program. The program then
checks to determine whether each
type of turbine fts within the op-
erating envelope based on num-
ber of units, turbine capacity, speed,
runner size, head, fow, etc. The pro-
gram discards as choices any turbines
deemed unsuitable for the particular
situation. For example, the number of
units is required because the program
will not select a fxed-blade propel-
ler unit if there are fewer than three
turbines for the site, due to the poor
propeller ef ciency at low fows. The
program also discards fxed-blade
propeller units as a choice if there is
a signifcant variation in the headwa-
ter level.
Upon conclusion of its calcula-
tion, the program provides a list of
suitable turbine types, along with an
estimate of the water-to-wire gen-
erating unit cost.
HydroHelp 1 includes a sub-rou-
tine in the process to estimate the
likely optimum head loss based on
conduit length, gross head, plant op-
erating capacity factor, and the de-
sign standard either utility (lower
loss) or industrial (higher loss). The
user has the option of using the
head loss recommended by the pro-
gram or any other loss as input for
the conduit percent head loss.
The program also calculates some
basic parameters for the selected
turbine such as speed, required
powerhouse crane capacity, and
generating unit capacity (see Figure
1 on page 40). The crane capacity is
based on lifting the rotor and stator
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Figure 1
for horizontal units and the rotor
only for vertical units.
The example shown in Figure 1 il-
lustrates the range of turbine options
available at a particular flow and
head. HydroHelp 1 displays a list of
the suitable turbines, which in this
case includes horizontal axis mini-
bulb Kaplan, horizontal axis S
type Kaplan, and vertical axis Saxo
axial flow Kap lan. (An S unit has a
water passage shaped like an S, and
a Saxo turbine has a water passage
that resembles a saxophone.) If the
user prefers not to choose a par-
ticular turbine the program selects,
the user can de-select that turbine
by inserting a zero adjacent to the
turbine type selected by the pro-
gram. The program then reverts to
the next most suitable turbine, based
on cost.
Turbine costs generated by Hydro-
Help 1 can only be regarded as an es-
timate and can easily be affected by
conditions not analyzed by the pro-
gram. For example, a manufacturer
may have a suitable turbine design
that was developed for another site.
The HydroHelp 1 program recommends a specific turbine type and total power plant
capacity for a specific site. The program calculates basic parameters for the selected
turbine, including runner speed and centerline elevation. The green in the figure cor-
responds to cells that have associated comments.
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This reduces the cost of providing
a turbine because all the engineer-
ing work has been completed. For
this reason, the program provides
the relative cost of all suitable tur-
bines, allowing the user to consid-
er these as alternatives. Equip ment
costs generated by the program are
based on water-to-wire generating
units from European manufacturers.
Lower costs can be expected from
manufacturers in Asia.
The cost estimating algorithms
for hydropower equipment require
annual updating because equipment
costs currently are escalating at a
higher rate than general cost infla-
tion. Equipment cost inflation from
mid-2006 to November 2008 was
estimated at 40 percent to 60 per-
cent. This was caused by the large
cost escalation of materials, increas-
ing transportation costs, a high de-
mand for hydro turbines world-
wide, and a longer-term decline in
the number of hydro equipment
manufacturers.
By adding data about powerhouse cost to HydroHelp 1, a user can refine the choice of
turbine type for a specific site (bottom line) and estimate costs. The green in the figure
corresponds to cells that have associated comments.
Figure 2
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Refning choices using
powerhouse cost data
The shape and cost of the powerhouse
for a particular site varies depending on
the type of turbine. This is particularly
important at heads lower than about 30
meters, where there is a large variety
of turbines available. For example, at a
site that would experience a large rise
in tailwater during foods, either a ver-
tical or horizontal axis turbine could
be used. However, with a horizontal
axis turbine, a signifcant amount of
extra concrete would be required to
anchor the powerhouse to withstand
the high water levels. A better, more
cost-efective op-
tion would be to
choose a verti-
cal axis turbine,
which would re-
quire a taller and
narrower power-
house confgura-
tion. The smaller
footprint of this
c onf i gur a t i on
would reduce the
amount of con-
crete needed, and
thus cost.
HydroHelp 1
features an op-
tion of custom-
izing turbine se-
lection based on
the powerhouse
cost. This requires
inputting some
additional data,
which is easily
obtained from a
casual site inspec-
tion and discus-
sions with a reli-
able contractor:
Cost of overburden excavation
(in US dollars per cubic meter);
Cost of rock excavation (in US
dollars per cubic meter);
Cost of concrete (in US dollars
per cubic meter);
Cost of walls and roof (in US
dollars per square meter);
Cost of steel superstructure (in
US dollars per ton);
Average rock level at power-
house (in meters); and
Average depth of overburden at
powerhouse (in meters).
Using this data, the program calcu-
lates basic dimensions and cost for the
powerhouse (see Figure 2 on page 41).
The program assumes that the pow-
erhouse is founded on sound rock at
about turbine level. If the rock is be-
low this level, a negative quantity is
generated and the user sees a comment
warning to avoid setting the power-
house too far above rock level.
Accuracy of the tool
To verify the accuracy of HydroHelp
1, the au thors tested the re sults against
actual data from about 15 hydro proj-
ects. In all cases, this testing confrmed
the turbine selection recommended by
the program.
Although the program is intended
for use by small hydro developers, it can
be used on large projects. The 22,400-
MW Three Gorges project in China is
an example of a test of the HydroHelp
1 results against published information
(see Table 1).
8,9,10,11
Because the rated
head for this site is known (80.6 me-
ters) and not required to be computed
by the program, input data for the pro-
gram was narrowed to:
Normal tailwater elevation: 62.0
meters;
Design plant fow: 1,880 cubic
meters per second;
Two units desired (for test pur-
poses only);
Table 1
Comparison of HydroHelp 1 Output with Actual Data
from Three Gorges in China
Parameter
HydroHelp 1
Output
Three Gorges
Actual Data
Turbine speed (in revolutions per minute) 71.4 75.0
Runner diameter (in meters) 9.4 9.4
Peak efficiency (in percent, IEC method) 96.1 96.3
Unit casing centerline elevation (in meters) 53.9 54.0
Draft tube sill elevation (in meters) 29.1 30.5
Unit spacing (in meters) 35.4 37.7
Turbine floor elevation (in meters) 63.3 65.0
Powerhouse crane capacity (in tons) 1,740 1,800
continued on page 64
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w w w. c o y n e - e t - b e l l i e r . f r
COYNE ET BELLI ER
Bu r e au d I n g n i e u r s Con s e i l s
W O R L D W I D E
WAT E R D E V E L O P M E N T
D E V E L O P M E N T
W A T E R
&
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Ideas in Action
Innovations in Placing Reservoir Lining
Save Time and Money
asphaltic lining. Because of established success with using
this type of lining in Japan, it is easier to get legal permission
to use an asphaltic lining than a concrete lining.
In addition, the results of seismic analysis at Kyogoku ver-
ifed that an asphaltic lining could follow deformation dur-
ing an earthquake, even at low temperatures in the winter.
The seismic analyses indicated that a concrete lining would
have to be very thick and contain a large amount of rein-
forcement. This would make the concrete lining far more
expensive than the asphaltic lining.
For these reasons, Hokkaido Electric Power chose an as-
phaltic lining for the upper reservoir at Kyogoku.
In 2002, Hokkaido Electric Power and Kajima performed
full-scale feld trials of the proposed asphaltic lining to veri-
fy its mechanical properties, construction specifcations, and
placing procedures. Based on the results of these trials, the
companies decided to proceed with placement of asphaltic
lining at Kyogoku.
Placing the lining
The lining for the upper reservoir at Kyogoku is made of six
layers. The frst, and deepest, is a transition layer of crushed
rock. The next layer, the base layer, is the foamed asphalt
mixture. On top of that is a lower impervious layer of a dense
graded asphalt mixture. The next layer is an intermediate
drainage layer of an open graded asphalt mixture. On top of
that is the upper impervious layer of a dense graded asphalt
mixture, placed in one thick layer instead of two or three lay-
ers. The top layer is a protective layer of mastic asphalt.
Innovations
In placing the lining, Kajima is using two innovations.
First, the company is using a foamed asphalt mixture,
rather than regular asphalt, for the base layer during the pav-
ing work. The base layer is designed to adjust the roughness
of the transition layer to obtain a uniformly fat fnish, to
maintain the thickness of the upper layers to be placed later,
The 600-MW Kyogoku pumped-storage project is under
construction on the Bihinai and Pepenai rivers in Japan. To
ensure sealing of the upper reservoir of this project, owner
Hokkaido Electric Power Co. is using an asphaltic lining.
While asphaltic lining of reservoirs is not a new concept,
this is the frst time the company has used this type of lining
for a dam or reservoir.
During installation of the asphaltic lining, Hokkaido
Electric Power is employing two innovations that will save
time and money. First, a foamed asphalt mixture is being
used for the base layer of the lining, rather than regular as-
phalt. This represents the frst time such a mixture has been
applied at a dam. This mixture can be placed one and a half
times faster than regular asphalt. For the second innovation,
the upper impervious layer of lining will be placed in one
thick layer to seal the reservoir, instead of the more typical
approach in Japan of placing multiple layers. This is expected
to cut construction time for placing this layer in half.
Choosing an asphaltic lining
The upper reservoir for the Kyogoku project is being built
with three sides embanked with rock excavated from the
site. To ensure adequate sealing of all surfaces inside the
180,000-square-meter reservoir, Hokkaido Electric Power
needed to use a lining system.
In 2002, the company signed a contract with Kajima
Corp. of Japan to construct the upper reservoir. Together
with personnel from Kajima, Hokkaido Electric Power
began investigating options for lining the upper reservoir.
Both asphaltic and concrete linings were considered. Con-
crete lining is less expensive and is more durable under cer-
tain conditions than asphaltic lining. However, there are no
design criteria in Japan for concrete lining of a reservoir. In
this country, many reservoirs are lined with asphalt. For ex-
ample, the 90.5-meter-high Yashio Dam, which impounds
the upper reservoir for the 900-MW Shiobara pumped-
storage project, is the highest dam in the world with an
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and to protect the transition layer against erosion due to
avalanches or melting snow.
Foamed asphalt is made by spraying air and water into
asphalt at a high temperature (about 150 degrees Celsius),
which gives it a volume ten to 15 times greater than regu-
lar asphalt. It also has a lower viscosity than regular asphalt,
which allows it to mix easily with wet aggregate and ensure
the homogeneity of the mixture. Foamed asphalt is used in
the base layer for roads but this is the frst time it has been
used at a dam.
During placement, the foamed asphalt does not fully
cover coarse aggregate but instead adheres to the fne ag-
gregate, which then is integrated with the coarse aggregate
after compaction of the lining. This property of fully adher-
ing to the aggregate means locally available materials can be
used as aggregate, avoiding the extra cost and time involved
in buying and transporting aggregate from a distant quarry.
The aggregate for this work is being produced at an on-site
plant using excavated rocks.
Kajima began placing the foamed asphalt mixture in
2005 as part of the initial excavation and embankment
work. At the end of 2008, placement work for the foamed
asphalt base layer was about 25 percent complete. On the
area where the foamed asphalt has been placed, placement
accuracy is within a vertical error of 25 millimeters. Place-
ment of the remaining layers of the lining is scheduled to
begin in 2010 and be complete in 2013.
For the second innovation, Hokkaido Electric Power and
Kajima chose to place a single 8-centimeter-thick layer of
asphalt for the upper impervious layer, rather than the more
traditional approach of placing two or three layers of asphalt,
each 5 centimeters thick. Hokkaido Electric Power chose the
8-centimeter thickness based on results of a fnite element
method analysis of the seismic behavior and safety of the
embankment and asphaltic lining. Results showed that strain
in the single layer during an assumed earthquake is lower
than the tensile yield strain obtained in a laboratory indirect
tensile test. These results confrm the safety of the upper im-
pervious layer under the most severe design conditions.
Since the mid-1970s, a single thick layer of asphaltic lin-
ing has been used for reservoirs in Europe with a lining area
of more than 100,000 square meters. However, the practice
in Japan has been to place two or three 4- to 6-centimeter-
thick layers of lining using road paving equipment. Recent-
ly, asphalt plants and equipment needed for asphaltic lining
in the country have been improved to the extent where it is
possible to place a single thick layer. This is the main reason
why Hokkaido Electric Power chose to use the single thick
layer for the upper impervious layer at Kyogoku.
To facilitate the work of placing this single thick layer,
Kajima altered its traditional paving equipment. For exam-
ple, instead of using a single asphalt tamper on the fnishing
equipment, the company will use double tampers to provide
better compaction. This also will reduce compaction time
for the layer. In addition, the company reduced the wheel
load of the vehicle that will dump the asphalt for this layer,
to avoid damaging the surface of the lower layer during
placement. Use of this equipment was tested during a full-
scale feld trial at the site in 2008.
By opting for placement of this single thick layer, Hok-
kaido Electric Power will realize several benefts:
Reduced construction costs by decreasing the amount
of asphalt used. Cost for a single thick layer is about 80 per-
cent of the cost for the traditional approach;
Shortened construction time. Time for construction
will be reduced by nearly half. The time savings will come
from decreasing the time involved in placing two or more
layers of asphalt for the upper impervious layer;
Better placement quality. Quality will improve be-
cause temperature will drop more slowly in the single thick
upper impervious layer. This allows the mixture to stay lon-
ger within the temperature range required for roller com-
paction, providing a higher quality of work; and
Avoidance of the potential problem of blistering be-
tween layers, which could result in a penetrating hole or
crack that would cause leakage.
Hokkaido Electric Power initially estimated it would cost
7.9 billion yen (US$85 million) to install the asphaltic lining
for the upper reservoir at Kyogoku. Using the two innova-
tions mentioned above, the company was able to reduce
costs by about 2.9 billion yen (US$31 million) a 37 per-
cent cost savings!
By Jun Takano, director, Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc.,
Kyogoku Project Of ce
Placement is proceeding on the asphaltic lining for the upper
reservoir at the 600-MW Kyogoku pumped-storage project. Inno-
vations being employed during placement of this lining will save
time and money over the typical lining placement approach
used in Japan.
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Tech Notes
Toshiba completes rst phase
of expansion program
Toshiba Hydro Power (Hangzhou)
Co. Ltd. (THPC) completed the
frst phase of a four-year, 170 mil-
lion renminbi (US$25 million) ex-
pansion. This frst phase is operation
of a generator coil shop at THPCs
manufacturing facility in Zhejiang,
China. The remainder of the expan-
sion involves increasing the size of
THPCs assembly and machining
shop and building an advanced hy-
draulic research laboratory with a
hydro turbine model test facility.
THPC, a unit of Toshiba Corp.
of Japan, owns and operates casting,
welding, assembly and machining,
and coil shop facilities to manufac-
ture hydro generating equipment.
The new 9,000-square-meter coil
shop contains advanced equip-
ment for production of electrical
components.
Waterpower XVI offers
technical plant tours
Attendees of the Waterpower XVI
conference in Spokane, Wash., United
States, July 27-30, 2009, can take part
in three technical tours of hydroelec-
tric facilities.
The 6,809-MW Grand Coulee
project is the focus of a pre-confer-
ence tour on Monday, July 27. Grand
Coulee, owned and operated by the
U.S. Department of the Interiors
Bureau of Reclamation, is on the
Columbia River in Washing ton. This
project is the largest hydroelectric fa-
cility in North America and features
three powerhouses. Grand Coulee en-
sures food control in the spring and
provides suf cient fows for anadro-
mous fsh. The project also provides
water to irrigate about 670,000 acres.
Reclamation plans to overhaul six tur-
bines in the Third Powerplant, which
have been in serv ice since the mid-
1970s. The overhaul will involve work
on the generators, turbines, shafts, and
auxiliary equipment.
On Tuesday morning, July 28, the
conference ofers a tour of the 71-
MW Long Lake facility, owned and
operated by Avista Corporation. Long
Lake, on the Spokane River in Wash-
ington, began operating in 1915. When
completed, the 213-foot-high dam at
the facility was billed as the worlds
highest spillway dam and the turbines
were the largest both in size and
capacity of any in existence at that
time.
The Long Lake project is on the
National Register of Historic Places,
in recognition of its historical archi-
tecture and engineering. The project
features a combination of old and
new equipment. All the gen erators,
turbine casings, and penstocks are
original equipment. The utility re-
wound the generators in the 1950s
and the replaced the turbines in the
1990s.
Delegates on this tour will return
to the Spokane Convention Center
for lunch and a presentation on the
history of the Avista Corporation.
The post-conference technical tour
begins the morning of Friday, July 31,
and ends at noon Sunday, August 2.
The tour includes visits to four hydro
projects in Wash ing ton, Montana, and
Idaho: Bound ary, Box Canyon, Cabi-
net Gorge, and Noxon Rapids.
Participants frst will visit the
1,050-MW Boundary project on
Friday morning. This project, owned
by Seattle City Light, is on the Pend
Oreille River in Washington. Seattle
Toshiba is operating a 9,000-square-meter generator coil shop at its manufacturing
facility in Zhejiang, China.
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City Light is going through the Fed-
eral Energy Regulatory Commis sion
(FERC) relicensing process for the
facility. The application for the new
license must be fled with FERC by
September 2009.
The next stop on the tour is 72-
MW Box Canyon on the Pend Or-
eille River in Washington. Owner
Pend Oreille Public Utility District
is in the midst of an extensive over-
haul and upgrade that involves re-
placing the original turbine runners
with fsh friendly models, rewind-
ing generators, replacing governors,
upgrading excitation equipment, and
adding turbine and equipment auto-
mation capabilities. The upgrade will
increase plant capacity by 18 MW.
Saturday, delegates will tour the
265-MW Cabinet Gorge and 466-
MW Noxon Rapids projects on the
Clark Fork River, which make up
Avista Corporations Clark Fork Proj-
ect. Construction of Cabinet Gorge
in Idaho was completed in 1952, and
the utility concluded at $35 million
rehabilitation of the facility in 2007.
At Noxon Rapids in Montana, Avista
is in the midst of a $35 million re-
habilitation that includes replacing
the turbine runners in four units, re-
furbishing bearings, replacing wicket
gate operating system bearings with
greaseless bearings, and replacing sta-
tionary wearing rings. This work is
expected to be complete in 2012.
To register for a tour, go to: www.wa-
terpowerconference.com. To request a con-
ference brochure, which includes details on
the tours and registration information, E-
mail: hydroreview@pennwell.com. Tour
participation is limited; pre-registration by
June 5, 2009, is required.
Alstom Hydro opens
technology center in India
Alstom Hydro opened a Global Tech-
nology Center at its Vadodara hydro-
power manufacturing site in Gujurat
State, India. Researchers at the center
focus on two areas specifc to the In-
dian hydro market:
Testing Pelton turbines, which
are commonly used in the Himalayan
mountain region; and
Analyzing sand erosion.
Researchers at this center will work
closely with Alstoms Global Technol-
ogy Center in Grenoble, France, says
Alstom Hydro President Philippe
Cochet.
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New Hydro
The PowerBuoy, from Ocean Power
Technologies, will be installed at sites off
Australias eastern and southern coasts.
48 HRW / March 2009
U.K. company renes
wave energy converter
Ofshore Wave Energy Ltd. (OWEL)
of the United Kingdom has begun a
new phase of research into its Gram-
pus wave energy converter, studying
the geometric confguration of the
device to optimize its performance.
OWELs Grampus device is to con-
vert ocean wave energy into com-
pressed air to drive a turbine and
produce electricity. The Grampus
unit consists of a tapered, horizontal
duct foating on the ocean. As a wave
enters the duct, air is trapped in the
duct and is compressed between the
wave and the stationary upper surface
of the duct. This compressed air is
taken from the duct through a valve
and used to drive a conventional uni-
directional turbine.
OWELs research has been funded
by a grant from the United King-
doms South West Regional Devel-
opment Agency (SWRDA) and from
contributions of shareholders.
In addition to studying internal
geometric confguration of the de-
vice, the SWRDA-funded study is to
investigate the units structural load-
ing and mooring requirements. The
work will utilize computational fuid
dynamics (CFD) modeling and a se-
ries of tank tests in a selected wave
basin. On completion, OWEL said it
would have an optimized full-scale
design and a more detailed under-
standing of its performance and cost
characteristics.
The next step in development of
the technology involves construc-
tion of a prototype to be deployed in
the ocean. OWEL hopes to deploy a
three-quarter-scale unit at the Euro-
pean Marine Energy Center (EMEC)
in Scotlands Orkney Islands.
OWEL was formed in 2001 by
Kemp, Sycamore Projects - Marine,
IT Power Ltd., and Business Link
Wessex. Other partners include the
New and Renewable Energy Center.
Leighton Contractors to develop
wave sites in Australia
Wave energy developer Ocean
Power Technologies (OPT) of the
United States is working with Aus-
tralia infrastructure developer Leigh-
ton Contractors Pty Ltd. to install
wave power projects of Australias
eastern and southern coasts. A wave
power assessment of the south-
ern Australia coast recently found
170,000 MW of potential near-shore
wave energy potential.
Under contract with Leighton,
OPT subsidiary Ocean Power Tech-
nologies (Australasia) Pty Ltd. will
identify potential project sites and
assess their commercial prospects.
Upon identifcation of projects to
be developed, Leighton is to obtain
approvals, negotiate power purchase
agreements, structure project fnanc-
ing, and oversee project delivery and
operation. OPT is to sell its Power-
Buoy wave power stations to special-
purpose companies formed by Leigh-
ton for the projects.
In September 2008, OPT deployed
a 40-kW PowerBuoy generator in
Spain as part of the 1.39-MW San-
tona wave energy project. OPT has
a tentative deal to develop nine more
powerful versions of the buoy over
the next year and eventually create
a PowerBuoy farm for Spanish util-
ity Iberdrola, capable of generating
enough electricity to supply up to
2,500 homes annually.
Hungarian company developing
RiverPower technology
Power of the Dream Ventures, Inc. in
Hungary is developing RiverPower, a
technology designed to convert the
fow of rivers into electricity without
the need to build a dam.
RiverPower is submerged in the
river and anchored to the riverbed.
The unit does not feature a tradition-
al turbine. Instead, it consists of sev-
eral interlocking wheels, each with
fippers that fold out, resembling a
waterwheel. The wheels transfer ro-
tational torque created by the fow of
water to a single axis (or shaft), which
drives the generator. The slow-speed
generator (5 to 15 revolutions per
minute) can produce electricity from
fows as low as 0.9 meter per second.
The units can be installed one right
after the other in a line down the riv-
er. Each machine can produce about
50 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
The unit was tested in 2008 at VI-
TUKI Consult Environmental and
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March 2009 / HRW 49
Water Management Research and
Consulting Ltd. Tests took place in
a 70-meter-long, 1.5-meter-wide
channel. Rather than moving water
through a stationary device, the one-
fourth-scale prototype was moved in
the water through the length of the
channel. During testing, the company
measured the torque transferred to the
shaft to determine the units potential
power generating characteristics.
The company is now conducting
the fnal round of work to optimize
the technology and determine the f-
nal design of the unit. This work was
scheduled to be complete by the end
of March 2009.
The next step is to install a full-sized
machine in a river in Hungary and
perform testing by the end of August
2009. This unit will use a new genera-
tor patented by Power of the Dream
Ventures, says Viktor Rozsnyay, presi-
dent and chief executive of cer.
Tidal Energy to launch
1-MW project in Wales
Tidal Energy Ltd. in Wales is working
to launch a 1-MW prototype tidal
stream project in Ramsey Sound in
the West Wales. Tidal Energy plans a
single DeltaStream device with nom-
inal installed capacity of 1 MW, to be
deployed for 12 months.
The developer said it considers a
12-month period suf cient testing
time to commercialize the Delta-
Stream technology. It said the Delta-
Stream concept was frst conceived in
2001 with the support of Pembroke-
shire Coast National Park.
A 1-MW DeltaStream unit in-
cludes three horizontal-axis turbines
on a 30-meter-wide triangular frame.
Tidal Energy said its patented blade
design enables the turbine automati-
cally to shed excess power, avoiding
damage from excessive peaks in tidal
fow and permitting consistently high
energy conversion. The rotors rotate
more slowly than other tidal stream
devices, allowing marine animals to
avoid them. The frame is to provide
a low center of gravity that allows
the unit to sit on the seabed with no
positive anchoring or seabed drilling.
The base technology previously was
developed by Tidal Hydraulic Gen-
erators Ltd.
The Ramsey Sound project is to
include a subsea cable, an onshore
control room and substation, and
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electrical infrastructure to connect
with the local distribution network.
Tidal Energy is a privately f-
nanced company in Cardif, the
Welsh capital.
India developer to begin building
3.75-MW Durgaduani Tidal
India developer NHPC Ltd. is mov-
ing forward with construction of the
3.75-MW Durgaduani Tidal Power
project in West Bengal State.
The project is being funded by
owner West Bengal Renewable Ener-
gy Development Agency and Indias
Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy. NHPC planned to choose a
company to develop the project in
February 2009.
Work is to include planning, de-
sign, engineering, and execution of
all civil structures such as a dike, inlet
sluice, powerhouse, and switchyard.
The company chosen to build the
project also will design, manufac-
ture, install, and commission three
1.25-MW bulb turbine-generators,
ancillary equipment, switchyard, and
hydro-mechanical equipment such as
vertical lift gates, stoplogs, hoists, and
gantry cranes. The work is to be per-
formed over two years.
OpenHydro to build Frances
Paimpol-Brehat tidal
Electricit de France (EDF) and Irish
tidal power developer OpenHydro
Group Ltd. are working to install four
to ten tidal power turbines at EDFs
pilot project at Paimpol-Brehat, on
Frances northern Brittany coast. EDF
said Paimpol-Brehat should have a
total capacity of 2 to 4 MW for de-
livery to the French grid by 2011.
The utility said the test site would
enable the technology to be tested in
actual conditions and its environmen-
tal efects to be assessed in detail.
EDF previously said the project is
to involve an investment of 23 mil-
lion to 27 million euros (US$36.7
million to US$43.1 million) that
EDF will fnance jointly with local
and European authorities.
OpenHydro, a designer and man-
ufacturer of marine turbines, holds
world rights to the Open-Centre
Turbine technology. The companys
commercial-scale test turbine is op-
erating at the European Marine En-
ergy Center in Orkney, Scotland.
EDF said the technology requires no
underwater work and that the fully
submerged turbines easily can be
raised for maintenance.
U.K. plans to develop 700 MW
at Pentland Firth
The United Kingdoms Crown Es-
tate plans to develop 700 MW of
ocean generation at Pentland Firth in
Scotland by 2020. The Crown Estate,
which protects and manages govern-
ment resources to beneft the taxpay-
er, said Pentland Firth has six of the
top ten sites in the United Kingdom
for tidal power development. Both
wave and tidal power technology
could be used at this site.
Several companies are investigating
the possibility of developing ocean
generation at this site, including
Scottish Power Renewables and tidal
developer Marine Current Turbines.
The Crown Estates Round 1 leas-
ing program is aimed at delivering 700
MW of new ofshore wave and tidal
power by 2020, bringing signifcant
economic benefts to northern Scot-
land. The initial devices to be installed
are expected to be full-sized demon-
stration units deployed in small ar-
rays. Larger scale development might
require improvements to the grid, the
agency said, and full-scale commercial
development defnitely would require
signifcant investment in the grid.
Technologies to be installed at this
site are to be selected in mid-2009.
Israel wave power developer
announces African concession
Israeli wave power developer SDE
Energy Ltd. is working to build sea
wave power plants totaling 100 MW
in Africa.
In November 2008, SDE received
a 25-year concession from a Mus-
lim country in Africa that SDE de-
clined to identify upon our clients
request. It said it has begun nego-
tiations with global institutions for
insuring the project and providing
financial guarantees.
The developer said the cost of
the project is US$100 million, with
expected revenues from sale of elec-
tricity to be US$1 billion.
SDE said it has an international
patent and other patents pending for
its wave energy device. The technol-
ogy employs a buoy lying atop the
water, with attached hydraulic arms
that transfer wave action to a gen-
erator, creating electricity. The com-
pany said it has built eight models
that have operated successfully, the
last of which had a capacity of 40
kW. SDE said the first commercial
model has operated for a year in the
port of Jaffa, Israel.
Scotland announces details of
10 million pound prize
The government of Scotland has re-
vealed details of what it will take to
win the 10 million pound (US$14.94
million) Saltire Prize for new wave
or tidal power technologies. Called
the worlds largest single prize for
innovation in marine renewable
energy, the award is to encourage
world scientists to push the frontiers
of innovation in clean, green energy.
Entrants for the prize are to demon-
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March 2009 / HRW 51
strate their innovations in Scotland.
In December 2008, Scotlands
chief scientific adviser, Anne Glover,
chairman of the Saltire Prize Chal-
lenge Committee, said the prize
would go to the team that can dem-
onstrate in Scottish waters a com-
mercially viable wave or tidal energy
technology that achieves a minimum
continuous electrical output of 100
gigawatt-hours over two years. It
is to use only the power of the sea
and would be judged the best over-
all technology after consideration
of cost, environmental sustainability,
and safety.
Glover previously said the com-
petition would open in the summer
of 2009 and close by June 2013.
For information on the Saltire
Prize, see the Internet site, www.
scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-
Industry/Energy/saltire-prize.
Briefly
Scotland-based wave energy devel-
oper Pelamis Wave Power has com-
pleted a 5 million pound (US$7.7
million) funding round to support
its ongoing investment in wave en-
ergy research and development. Pe-
lamis said the additional finance will
enable it to accelerate construction
of the next generation of its Pelamis
technology, which utilizes steel sea-
snakes that are moored to the sea-
bed to harness wave action for pow-
er generation. The government
of Scotland plans to significantly
increase its financial support for
wave and tidal energy by increasing
the number of Renewable Obliga-
tion Certifcates (ROC) offered
to marine energy projects. Proposed
changes to the Renewables Obliga-
tion (Scotland) include banding
the program, grouping technologies
into separate bands to receive dif-
fering amounts of support based on
their stages of technological devel-
opment and associated costs. In-
vestment manager Inspired Evolu-
tion Investment Managements
private equity clean technology fund
is the first of its kind in South Afri-
ca. Evolution One Fund has raised
400 million rand (US$48.2 million)
from international investors and aims
to reach 1 billion rand (US$120.6
million) by July 2009. The company
plans to invest in clean technology,
possibly including ocean energy.
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Small Hydro
Brazil streamlines process
for small hydro projects
Brazils electricity regulator Agencia
Nacional de Energia Eletrica (ANEEL)
is using new, simpler registration pro-
cedures for hydropower projects of 1
MW or less.
Under the new procedures, ANEEL
says developers and operators of quali-
fying projects are required to submit
only simplifed technical informa-
tion, along with basic data about the
plant and the responsible person or
corporation.
ANEEL said reduction in registra-
tion documentation applies to project
developers/owners exempt from con-
cessions, permissions, or authorizations,
regardless of whether they consume
the generated electricity themselves or
they sell the power commercially.
Brazils Energisa invests
in three small hydro plants
Brazil utility holding company En-
ergisa S.A. is constructing three small
hydro projects in Rio de Janeiro State.
Energisa said it would invest 200
million reais (US$92.9 million) in the
simultaneous construction of the Caju,
Santo Antonio, and Sao Sebastiao proj-
ects, totaling 31.2 MW. The projects
are to have annual generation totaling
157.4 gigawatt-hours.
Construction is to be completed in
the frst half of 2010, the company said.
It said major synergies would result
from implementing the projects on the
same river.
Banks support small hydro in
Afghanistan, Colombia, Uganda
The Asian Development Bank (ADB),
Inter-American Investment Corp.
(IIC), and African Development Bank
(AfDB) recently approved investments
and loans supporting development of
small hydropower projects in Afghani-
stan, Colombia, and Uganda.
Afghanistan
ADB approved a US$570 million en-
ergy sector investment program for
Afghanistan that includes funding for
mini-hydropower projects in rural areas
of Badakshan and Bamyan provinces.
The small hydro segment of the
program is to provide US$12 million
to the Afghanistan electricity authority,
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, for
the development of the hydro plants in
Badakshan and Bamyan.
The project is to identify potential
mini-hydropower plant sites from which
a maximum of four sites would be f-
nalized for implementation. Up to four
projects would be built with an aggre-
gate installed capacity of up to 2 MW.
Colombia
IIC, a member of the Inter-American
Development Bank Group, signed
loan agreements totaling US$15.5 mil-
lion with developers of the 9.8-MW
Guanaquitas and 9.5-MW Caruquia
hydroelectric projects in Colombias
Guadalupe River Basin.
Operating companies Guanaquitas
S.A. and Caruquia S.A. will develop
the projects on a build-operate basis
in the municipality of Santa Rosa de
Osos, Antioquia Province.
The run-of-river projects, which
will have no reservoirs and minimal
environmental efect, are to generate
124.1 gigawatt-hours annually.
IFC estimates the total development
cost for both plants to be US$43.7
million.
Uganda
The government of Uganda will draw
on an AfDB loan of 6 million Units
of Account (US$9.6 million) for con-
struction of the 9-MW Buseruka hy-
droelectric project.
The project, to be developed by Hy-
dromax, is to be built on the Wambabya
River at the Western Rift Valley near
Hoima in Ugandas Hoima District.
The project includes a small storage
reservoir, a run-of-river canal, forebay,
penstock, turbine-generators, control
room, tailrace, and substation. It also in-
cludes construction of a 46-kilometer,
33-kilovolt transmission line for grid
connection, as well as transmission and
distribution networks for the remote
mountainous area, which is not cur-
rently served by the national utility.
Nepal names consultants for
private sector hydro program
Nepals Ministry of Water Resources
named consultants from France and Ne-
pal to implement a private sector hydro-
power development program in Nepal.
With funding from the Asian De-
velopment Bank (ADB), the ministry
awarded a US$569,990 contract to
SOFRECO of France in association
with Total Management Services of
Nepal. ADB had conducted a solici-
tation for consultants to provide the
technical assistance.
SOFRECO and Total Manage-
ment are to help Nepals Department
of Electricity Development to develop
and implement a competitive bidding
framework to foster private sector par-
ticipation in hydro.
Tanzania awards engineering,
including 8-MW Malagarasi
The government of Tanzania awarded
a contract to an Irish frm to provide
engineering and construction super-
vision of transmission and distribu-
tion work and of construction of the
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8-MW Malagarasi project on the Mal-
agarasi River.
MCA-Tanzania awarded the
US$19.7 million contract to ESBI En-
gineering and Facility Management
Ltd. of Ireland.
The U.S. governments Millennium
Challenge Corp. awarded a US$698
million U.S. grant to Tanzania to fund
improvements to roads, power, and wa-
ter supply, including the Malagarasi proj-
ect. Tanzania set up MCA-Tanzania as a
special entity to carry out the work.
Jamaica utility launches
expansion of 6-MW Maggotty
Project operator Jamaica Public Ser-
vice Co. (JPSC) is proceeding with
plans to expand the 6-MW Maggotty
hydroelectric project by 6.3 MW.
Jamaicas Of ce of Utilities Regula-
tion (OUR) approved the plans. JPSC
submitted the project in response to a
government request for renewable en-
ergy. OUR also approved a JPSC pro-
posal for a 3-MW wind farm. JPSC
said the two projects were expected to
cost a total of US$38.7 million.
Maggotty, built in 1959 at St. Eliza-
beth, accounts for nearly a third of
JPSCs 21 MW of hydropower genera-
tion, supplied by a total of eight small
plants.
JPSC said work on the project is
part of its strategy to reduce its depen-
dence on oil for power generation.
The government has set a goal that
15 percent of Jamaicas energy come
from renewables by 2020. Currently, 95
percent of the nations grid electricity
is fueled by imported petroleum.
Scotland government approves
applications for small hydros
The government of Scotland has ap-
proved applications by two utilities to
build two small hydro projects totaling
6 MW.
The Scottish governments Energy
Consents Unit approved an applica-
tion by Scottish and Southern Energy
(SSE) to build the 2.5-MW Chaorach
project on the Allt Coire Chaorach
River, east of Crianlarich, Scotland.
The run-of-river project is to divert
water from Allt Coire Chaoroach and
from Allt Coire Chlach. An underground
pipeline is to carry the water to a power-
house that will deliver electricity to the
local grid by underground cable. SSE
said the project only will operate when
suf cient natural fows are available.
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The Energy Consents Unit also ap-
proved an application by RWE npower
plc to build the 3.5-MW Black Rock
project on the Glass River near Evanton
in Ross-shire. The run-of-river project
also will use natural river fows.
Georgia restarts
800-kW Sulori project
Georgias 800-kW Sulori hydroelectric
project, redeveloped with the assistance
of the U.S. Agency for International De-
velopment (USAID), is now operating.
In 2007, USAIDs Rural Energy
Program was asked to inspect the Su-
lori project, which operated from 1953
to 1987 and then was shut down due
to an economic downturn. The project
was privatized in March 2007 by Su-
lori HESI Ltd.
The Rural Energy Program per-
formed an inspection of the project,
in the village of Salkhino, Vani District,
Imereti Region. It identifed reha-
bilitation needs and helped the owner
develop a business plan for obtaining
a loan from a Georgia commercial
bank.
Sulori HESI obtained a loan from
Cartu Bank for nearly 40 percent of
the rehabilitation cost, with the re-
mainder coming from owners equity.
The developer obtained mechanical
and electrical equipment, built a water
intake, and reconstructed a discharge
channel.
Sulori is to generate 4.5 million
kilowatt-hours annually for sale to
Georgias Electricity System Com-
mercial Operator and possibly to local
direct customers.
Nicaragua names supplier for
630-kW Molejones
The government of Nicaragua named
Empresa Hidro Energia S.A. to supply
turbine-generators and other equip-
ment for the 630-kW Molejones hy-
droelectric project in Nicaraguas Re-
gion Autonoma Atlantico Sur.
Empresa Hidro responded to a so-
licitation by Nicaraguas Ministerio
de Energia y Minas (MEM), which
called for bids from companies spe-
cializing in manufacture and installa-
tion of small hydropower equipment.
Empresa Hidros winning bid totaled
US$748,500.
Empresa Hidro is to supply two
315-kW cross-fow type turbines, two
horizontal synchronous generators, gov-
ernors, a three-phase main transformer
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_____________
Full hydropower design services
Project/construction management
Due diligence/risk assessment
Environmental-socio services
Small to large scale hydro

International and domestic
Rehabilitation and retrot
Dam safety
www.klohn.com
Nakai Dam, spill during construction, Sep 2007
Designers: 1070MW Nam Theun 2 Project, Laos
We design for monsoons
of 800-kVa and two 15-kVa auxiliary
transformers, control cabinets, batter-
ies, water level monitoring equipment,
training, installation, and start up.
The Swiss Agency for Development
and Cooperation, the United Nations
Development Program, and the World
Banks Global Environment Facility
provided funds for the project.
India awards US$3.4 million
small hydro, grid contract
The hydro development agency of
Indias Uttarakhand State awarded a
US$3.4 million contract to SMEC In-
ternational Pty Ltd. of Australia to build
and equip four small hydro projects and
to expand the transmission system.
With US$300 million in funding
from the Asian Development Bank
(ADB), the state took bids in 2007
under the Uttarakhand Power Sec-
tor Investment Project comprising
clean energy development mainly in-
volving small hydro, plus transmission
system expansion and sector capacity
building.
SMEC said consultancy services will
cover hydro projects ranging from 4
MW to 10 MW, 785 kilometers of 400-
kilovolt transmission lines, various
220-kV and 132-kV transmission lines,
and substations.
The four two-unit hydro projects
solicited by Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut
Nigam Ltd. in 2007 are in Rudraprayag
District: 9-MW Kaldigad, 4-MW Ka-
liganga 1, 6-MW Kaliganga 2, and
10-MW Madhyamaheshwar. Work in-
cludes design, supply, installation, test-
ing, and commissioning.
Philippine rm named to
privatize 800-kW Amlan
A newly formed Philippine company
was the high bidder for privatization
of the 800-kW Amlan hydroelectric
project, the Philippines power sector
privatization agency said.
The governments Power Sector As-
sets and Liabilities Management Corp.
(PSALM) said ICS Renewables Inc.
ofered US$230,000 for the Visayas-
based hydro plant. The bid exceeded
the reserve price set by the PSALM
board.
Amlan is located in Negros Orien-
tal Province. The frst power plant built
in the province, it consists of two 400-
kW horizontal turbine-generators in-
tended to serve the town of Amlan and
surrounding villages.
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Professional Listings
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To request a conference brochure
or for more detailed information
Phone: (1) 816 931-1311, ext. 129
Visit: www.waterpowerconference.com
July 27-30, 2009
Spokane Convention Center Spokane, Washington
www.waterpowerconference.com
Explore new ideas, new technology and new approaches
to enlarging the role and contribution of hydro power at
Waterpower XVI. Waterpower has a longstanding tradition
of technical excellence. The conference features Symposia
and interactive Roundtables, as well as an Exhibit Hall full of
the most comprehensive collection of hydro-related product
and service providers. Make plans to attend today!
Save $150
Register by June 30, 2009
Conference Overview:
Owned & Produced by: Flagship Media Sponsors:
TM
TM
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The slogan of Spokane, Washington

states second largest city, speaks directly
to the outdoor amenities for which the
area is so well known. Mountains...trails
... lakes... and one of the largest urban
waterfalls in the country provide an
idyllic setting for historic architecture,
fascinating museums, excellent dining,
and cosmopolitan nightlife.
Wa terpower XVI will be held in the Spokane
Convention Center in the citys downtown
area, on the banks of the Spokane River and
adjacent to the 100-acre Riverfront Park. A
wide range of dining, shopping, and
entertainment options are within easy
walking distance.
In addition, a number of other attractions are
located nearby. Here are just a few
suggestions for making the most of your trip
to Spokane.
The lands of
eastern
Washington are
prime for
growing grapes
and the regions
wine industry is
growing rapidly,
both in
numbers and
recognition.
Yakima Wine
Country, about one hour from Spokane,
features more than 70 wineries and a range
of dining and lodging options. Walla Walla
Wine Countr y, about two hours away, offers
more than 90 wineries across some 1,600
acres of vineyards, and also a number of
dining and lodging facilities.
www.wallawallawinecountry .net
www.wineyakimavalley.org
.
PLAN YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY TO COINCIDE WITH WATERPOWER XVI
Near Nature. Near Perfect. Near Nature. Near Perfect.
The following organizations are working in partnership with the organizers of Waterpower XVI to
ensure the conference delivers innovations and solutions to benet the entire water power community.
WATERPOWER XVI
Waterpower has a longstanding tradition of technical excellence and a
commitment to advancing hydropower as the worlds leading source of
renewable energy.
In addition to the highly technical program, the conference features Symposia
and interactive Roundtables. Held in conjunction with the exhibition, the
Hydro Training Institute offers highly practical training designed to help those
new to the hydro industry to be more productive more quickly.
Register Early and Save!
Conference Delegate Speaker
Registration (Before 6/30/2009) US $635 $565*
Registration (After 6/30/2009) US $785 $615
*Until May 1, 2009
I applaud the committee

for selecting panel
members from a variety of
backgrounds to address
the topics. The symposia
that I attended were very
informative, and having
multiple speakers
presenting provided
several viewpoints and
kept things interesting.
Bruce A. Benson
Electrica Engineer, Black and Veatch
For up-to-date details, including a complete list of authors and
exhibitors, visit waterpowerconference.com.
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Four of Americas most spectacular national
parks are within a days drive of Spokane. To
the west, Mount Rainier National Park and
Olympic National Park commemorate the
grandeur of the volcanic Northwest . To the
east, Glacier National Park and Yellowstone
National Park are considered among
Americas most diverse and scenic natural
destinations.
www.mount.rainier.national-park.com
www.nps.gov/olym
www.nps.gov/glac
www.nps.gov/yell
Vi sit the world-famous
Space Needle, built for the
1962 Worlds Fair. ..
experience Pike Place
Market and the Seattle
Wa terfront...take a ferry to
one of the nearby islands...
or simply indulge yoursel n the cultural
diversity of the largest city in the Northwest
United States.
www.visitseattle.or g
Already recognized as one of the worlds
most spectacular cities, Vancouver is now
polishing itself even further in preparation for
the 2010 Winter Olympics. Surrounded on
three sides by water and nestled in the
foothills of the Coast Mountain Range, this
sea-level city features a temperate climate
that encourages exploration o ts many
cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
http://vancouver .ca
National Parks
Seattle, Washington
Vancouver, British Columbia
Exhibition
New technologies
and services are key
to addressing and
implementing solutions to
the issues you face. In the
Waterpower XVI Exhibit
Hall, youll nd the worlds
most comprehensive
collection of hydro-related
product and service
providers showcasing their
capabilities for you.
Symposia
Climate Change
Electric System ReliabilityReporting Realities
Pumped Storage
Hydros Contribution to Global Energy and
the Realities of Developing Infrastructure
Roundtables
Buying Equipment: Procurement Issues in
the Global Marketplace
Electronic Equipment Obsolescence
Experiences with Low Impact Hydropower
Institute (LIHI) Certication
How Do You Effectively Manage Conicts
between Project Land/Reservoir Uses and
Operations?
In-Plant Surprises: Oh!
License Conditions in the Real World
New Technologies: Addressing
Environmental Issues
Lubrication Questions and Answers
Reducing Costs of Small Hydro
Development and Operations
Rehab: Stories from the Pits
Strategies for Dealing with Aging Plant
Equipment and Infrastructure
Using the Sustainability Protocol
Hydro Training Institute
This intensive, highly practical training is
designed to help those new to hydro gain the
information they need to integrate into their
positions faster and be more productive and
to help those with limited hydro experience
expand their knowledge. The course includes a
series of sessions focusing on the full range of
operations and policy issues. Participants also
have the opportunity to participate in other
conference sessions. Registration: $545
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WORKSHOP
An Introduction to IEEE
HydroStandards and Guides
Or ganized by: Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE) Hydroelectric
Subcommittee
Tuesday, July 28: 8:00 a.m.Noon
Review new IEEE standards and guides
for the hydroelectric industry and discuss
with colleagues the applicability and
limitations of each.
Registration: No Charge
WORKSHOP
Optimization of
Hydropower Operations
Organized by: Hatch Ltd. and Synexus Global
Examine methods used to optimize
production in conventional hydropower
and pump-generating station operations.
Registration: US$250
WORKSHOP
Rehabilitation
Technology Workshop
Or ganized by: Toshiba Corporation
Find out more about rehabilitation
technologies, particularly the
environmentally friendly technology
supplied by Toshiba.
Registration: No Charge
POST-CONFERENCE PLANT TOUR
Friday, July 31Sunday, August 2
Vi sit four hydro projectsthe Boundary
Dam, the Box
Canyon Dam,
the Cabinet
Gorge Dam,
and the Noxon
Rapids Dam
from the
weekend base
at the beautiful Schweitzer Mountain
Resort Idaho.
Accompanying Persons: US$225
PRE-CONFERENCE PLANT TOUR
Grand Coulee Dam
Monday, July 27: 7:30 a.m.5:30 p.m.
Owned and operated by the Bureau of
Reclamation, U.S. Department of the Interior,
this 6,480-MW facility is the largest producer
of electricity in the country.
Registration: US$85
PRE-CONFERENCE PLANT TOUR
Avistas Long Lake Project
Tuesday, July 28: 8:00 a.m.11:30 a.m.
Your morning tour of Avista Corporation s
Long Lake Project is capped by a presentation
on the history of the project over lunch.
Registration: US$55
WORKSHOP
Machine Condition
Monitoring Workshop
Or ganized by: VibroSystM
Discuss monitoring issues and operation and
maintenance problems observed on hydro-
electric machines.
WORKSHOP
Hands-on Workshop with
FLOW-3D Simulating a
Transient, 3-D Free-Surface

Hydraulics Flow Problem
Or ganized by: Flow Science and Alden Research
Learn how to set up, simulate, post-process,
and interpret results froma real three-
dimensional, transient simulation.
Registration: US$200 (refunded with purchase
of FLOW-3D license)
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES Who Should
Attend:
Business Managers
Consultants
Dam Safety Managers
Developers
Engineers
Generation Managers
Licensing/Relicensing
Managers
Non-Governmental
Organizations
Plant Managers and
Superintendents
Product Providers
Project Owners and
Operators
Public Information
Specialists
Regulators
Resource Agencies
Service Providers
Water Resource
Stakeholders
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Professional Listings (continued)
Kap|ar, |rarr|s, Pe|ter tarb|res
www.zere.|t |rfe@zere.|t +JJ 115 &IJ15
!|e 4|ffererre |s |rs|4e.
UK: Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd,
Canal head North, Kendal,
Cumbria LA9 7BZ
hydro@gilkes.com
USA: Gilkes Inc
gilkes@gilkesinc.com
JAPAN: Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd
h-yamamo@rf6.so-net.ne.jp
HYDRO AND POWER SYSTEMS
Reliable and innovative solutions utilizing over
150 years continuous hydro electric
turbines, generators, controls, switchgear and

associated plant up to and around 20MW.
All Services for Complete Solutions
from concept to completion and operation
from projects to complex systems
from local to multinational schemes
for public and private developers
Lahmeyer International GmbH
Friedberger Strasse 173 D-61118 Bad Vilbel, Germany
Tel.: +49 (6101) 55-1164 Fax: +49 (6101) 55-1715
E-Mail: bernd.metzger@lahmeyer.de http://www.lahmeyer.de
Your Partner for
Water Resources and
Hydroelectric Development
PAN
bronzes
and
PAN
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self-lubricating bearings
Since 1931
- Superior quality with
Highest wear resistance
Low maintenance
Or maintenance free
- Extended operating life
PAN-Metallgesellschaft
P.O. Box 102436 D-68024 Mannheim / Germany
Phone: + 49 621 42 303-0 Fax: + 49 621 42 303-33
kontakt@pan-metall.com www.pan-metall.com
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Calendar
Professional Listings (continued)
March 12-13. Conference on Hydraulic
Engineering: Waterpower and Climate
Change sponsored by the Hydraulic En-
gineering and Applied Hydromechanics
Institute, Dresden University of Technol-
ogy. Location: Dresden, Germany. Con-
tact: (49) 351-46333837; E-mail: thm@
mailbox.tu-dresden.de; Internet: www.
iwd.tu-dresden.de/conf09.
March 16-22. Fifth World Water Forum
sponsored by World Water Council. Lo-
cation: Istanbul, Turkey. Contact: (33)
4-91994100; E-mail: info@worldwater-
forum5.org; Internet: www.worldwater-
council.org.
March 18-19. Norwegian Association of
Small Hydro Annual Meeting. Location:
Aalesund, Norway. Contact: (47) 90-
151150; E-mail: olav.skeie@smakraft-
verk.com; Internet: http://kraftverk.net/
visartikkel.php?id=601.
March 24-25. Case Studies: Learning
from International Dam Incidents and
Failures Workshop sponsored by CEATI
International Dam Safety Interest Group:
Location: Los Angeles, Calif., USA. Con-
tact: (1) 514-866-5377; E-mail: work-
shops@ceati.com; Internet: www.ceati.
com.
April 1. CALL FOR PAPERS: February
1-3, 2010, Hydropower 10 sponsored by
International Centre for Hydropower. Loca-
tion: Troms, Norway. Abstracts due April 1.
Contact: (47) 73-590780; E-mail: cm@ich.
no; Internet: www.hydropower10.org.
April 20-22. Second International Con-
ference on Hydropower Technology &
Equipment sponsored by China Society
for Hydropower Engineering and China
Three Gorges Project Corporation. Loca-
tion: Beijing. Contact: (86) 10-63414390;
E-mail: cshe@checc.cn; Internet: www.hy-
dropower.org.cn/ichte/en/index.jsp.
April 28-29. Small Hydro 2009 spon-
sored by International Water Power and
Dam Construction. Location: Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada. Contact: (44)
20-82697777; E-mail: cstock@progres-
sivemediagroup.com; Internet: www.wa-
terpowermagazine.com.
May 3-6. International Electric Machines
and Drives Conference: Renewable Ener-
gy Systems for Today and Tomorrow spon-
sored by Institute of Electrical and Elec-
tronics Engineers. Location: Miami, Fla.,
USA. Contact: (1) 305-348-6194; E-mail:
chair@iemdc2009.org; Internet: www.
iemdc2009.org.
May 11-13. Fifth Hydro Power for Today
Conference sponsored by International
Network on Small Hydro Power (IN-SHP).
Location: Hangzhou, China. Contact: (86)
571-87070070; E-mail: hic@mail.hz.zj.cn;
Internet: www.inshp.org.
May 11-16. Electricity Regulatory Initia-
tive Seminar sponsored by International
Centre for Hydropower. Location: Oslo,
Norway. Contact: (47) 73-590780; E-mail:
mail@ich.no; Internet: www.ich.no.
May 13-15. Second National Symposium
on Dam Safety sponsored by Turkish Dam
Safety Association. Location: Eskisehir,
Turkey. E-mail: info@barajguvenligi.org;
Internet: www.barajguvenligi.org.
May 17-21. World Environmental and Wa-
ter Resources Congress sponsored by
Environmental and Water Resources In-
stitute of American Society of Civil Engi-
neers. Location: Kansas City, Mo., USA.
Contact: (1) 703-295-6380; E-mail: adick-
en@asce.org; Internet: www.aawre.org.
May 19-22. SINOROCK 2009 - Interna-
tional Symposium on Rock Characteriza-
tion, Modelling, and Engineering Design
Methods sponsored by International So-
ciety for Rock Mechanics. Location: Hong
Announcing
Instant Info Now Online
Online Reader Service
Beginning with our May issue, you will be able
to instantly request more information about
the products and services featured in HRW
magazine using our online reader service.
Simply click the Instant Info
button on the HRW homepage.
Its that easy!
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Kong. Contact: (859) 2859-1963; E-mail:
sinorock2009@hku.hk; Internet: www.hku.
hk/sinurock.
May 21-29. ICOLD 77th Annual Meet-
ing and 23rd Congress sponsored by In-
ternational Commission on Large Dams
and Brazilian Committee on Dams. Lo-
cation: Brasilia, Brazil. E-mail: contact@
icoldbrasilia2009.org; Internet: www.icold-
brasilia2009.org.
May 23-28. World Tunnel Congress spon-
sored by International Tunnelling and Un-
derground Space Association (ITA-AITES).
Location: Budapest, Hungary. Held in con-
junction with ITA-AITES 35th General As-
sembly. Contact: (36) 1-2147701; E-mail:
secretariat@wtc2009.org; Internet: www.
wtc2009.org.
June 8-25. Hydropower Development and
Management sponsored by International
Centre for Hydropower. Location: Trond-
heim, Norway. Contact: (47) 73-590780;
E-mail: mail@ich.no; Internet: www.ich.no.
June 17-19. Fourth Concrete Future In-
ternational Conference sponsored by CI-
Premier Pte Ltd. Location: Coimbra, Por-
tugal. Contact: (65) 67332922; E-mail:
cipremie@singnet.com.sg; Internet: www.
cipremier.com.
June 23-26. International Hydropower As-
sociation Congress. Location: Reykjavik,
Iceland. Contact: (44) 20-86525290; E-
mail: iha@hydropower.org; Internet: www.
hydropower.org.
July 28-29. Hydropower Africa sponsored
by ESI. Location: Johannesburg, South Af-
rica. Contact: (27) 21-7003500; E-mail: ni-
colaas.loretz@spintelligent.com; Internet:
www.spintelligent-events.com/hydropow-
er2009/en/index.php.
Aug. 9-14. 33rd IAHR Biennial Congress
sponsored by the International Association
of Hydraulic Engineering & Research, the
American Society for Civil Engineers, and
the Canadian Society for Civil Engineer-
ing. Location: Vancouver, British Colum-
bia, Canada. Contact: (1) 703-295-6300;
E-mail: iahrconferencemanager@asce.
org; Internet: www.iahr2009.org.
Aug. 31-Sept. 5. Dam Safety Inspection
sponsored by International Centre for Hy-
dropower. Location: Trondheim, Norway.
Contact: (47) 73-590780; E-mail: mail@
ich.no; Internet: www.ich.no.
Oct. 5-9. Hydropower Financing and Proj-
ect Economy sponsored by International
Centre for Hydropower. Location: Oslo,
Norway. Contact: (47) 73-590780; E-mail:
mail@ich.no; Internet: www.ich.no.
Oct. 12-13. Second International Confer-
ence on Long Term Behavior of Dams
sponsored by Graz University of Technolo-
gy. Location: Graz, Austria. E-mail: ltbd09@
tugraz.at; Internet: www.ltbd09.tugraz.at.
Oct. 26-28. Hydro 2009 sponsored by In-
ternational Journal on Hydropower and
Dams. Location: Lyon, France. Contact:
(44) 20-86435133; E-mail: mb@hydro-
power-dams.com; Internet: www.hydro-
power-dams.com.
Oct. 29-31. EUROCK 2009 Rock Engineer-
ing in Difficult Ground Conditions sponsored
by International Society for Rock Mechan-
ics. Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia. Contact:
(385) 1-6125221; E-mail: eurock2009@igh.
hr; Internet: www.eurock2009.hr.
Nov. 17-28, 2009. Green Power VI In-
ternational Conference and Exhibition
sponsored by Council of Power Utilities.
Location: New Delhi. Contact: (91) 11-
32997232; E-mail: cvjvarma@indiapower.
org; Internet: www.indiapower.org.
Nov. 30-Dec. 5. Hydropower and the En-
vironment Regional Course sponsored by
International Centre for Hydropower. Loca-
tion: La Antigua, Guatemala. Contact: (47)
73-590780; E-mail: mail@ich.no; Internet:
www.ich.no.
July 27-30, 2009

Spokane, Wash., USA
www.waterpowerconference.com
July 27. Hands-on Workshop with
FLOW-3D: Simulating a Transient, 3-D
Free-Surface Hydraulics Flow Prob-
lem organized by Flow Science and
Alden Research.
July 27. Machine Condition Monitoring
Workshop organized by VibroSystM.
July 27. Pre-Conference Tour: Grand
Coulee.
July 28. An Introduction to IEEE Hydro
Standards and Guides organized by
Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers Inc. (IEEE) Hydroelectric
Subcommittee.
July 28. Optimization of Hydropower
Operations organized by Hatch Ltd.
and Synexus Global.
July 28. Pre-Conference Tour: Avistas
Long Lake Project.
July 28. Rehabilitation Technolo-
gy Workshop organized by Toshiba
Corporation.
July 28-30. Waterpower Conference
and Exhibition.
July 31-Aug. 2. Post-Conference
Tour: Boundary, Box Canyon, Cabinet
Gorge, and Noxon Rapids.
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Ad Index
*IFC=Inside Front Cover, IBC=Inside Back Cover, and OBC=Outside Back Cover
Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for all contents (including text representation and illustrations) of advertisements printed, and also assume responsibility for any claims
arising therefrom made against the publisher. It is the advertisers or agencys responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on any items or individuals pictured in the advertisement.
RS# COMPANY PG#
386 IMPSA www.impsa.com 9
77
INA Schaefer Group Industrial
www.schaefer.com
5
263 INSET www.inset.ru 49
227 Klohn Crippen Berger www.klohn.com 55
350
KTI-Plersch Kltetechnik GmbH
www.kti-plersch.com
31
68 Litostroj Power www.litostroj-ei.si 17
422 MarelliGenerators www.marellimotori.com 11
193 Mavel www.mavel.cz 42
454 MC-monitoring SA www.mc-monitoring.com 47
116 Muhr GmbH www.muhr.com 41
36 MWH www.mwhglobal.com 40
202
National Electric Coil
www.highvoltagecoils.com
40
189
Norris Screen & Manufacturing
www.norrisscreen.com
39
RS# COMPANY PG#
26 Acotec N.V. www.acotec.be 49
262 ALSTOM www.power.alstom.com 3
138 American Hydro www.ahydro.com IFC*
354 ANDRITZ HYDRO Corp. www.andritz-hydro.com OBC*
66 Coyne et Bellier www.coyne-et-bellier.fr 43
320 EDF Generation & Engineering www.edf.fr 13
404
GGB Bearing Technology
www.ggbearings.com/hydro
7
390 Hans Knz GmbH www.kuenz.com 16
33
HCS Hydro Component Systems, LLC
www.hydrocomponentsystems.com
21
147 Hibbard Inshore www.hibbardinshore.com 51
302
Hydro 2009 Conference and Exhibition
www.hydropower-dams.com
35
306
ICOLD Brasilia 2009
www.icoldbrasilia2009.org
27
146 IHA Congress June 2009 www.hydropower.org IBC*
RS# COMPANY PG#
325
North Star Ice Equipment
www.northstarice.com
54
408
PCR Paul C. Rizzo Associates, Inc.
www.rizzoassoc.com
51
75
Potencia Industrial S.A.
www.potenciaindustrial.com.mx
23
264 RST Instruments Ltd. www.rstinstruments.com 55
198 Seals Unlimited Inc. www.sealsunlimited.com 33
472
SP studio ing. g. pietrangeli s.r.l.
www.pietrangeli.it
47
483
Thordon Bearings Inc.
www.thordonbearings.com
15
27
Tyton Fematics Canada Inc.
www.fabgroups.com
53
327 Veski www.veski.hr 53
84
Waterpower XVI Conference and Exhibition
www.hcipub.com
58-61
305
Worthington Products, Inc.
www.tuffboom.com
25
Summer water temperature: 15
de grees C;
System frequency: 50 Hz;
Generator power factor: 0.9;
Generator quality: utility; and
Infation ratio since 2008: 1.01.
Note that the maximum allowable
gearbox power does not apply for the
Three Gorges project because of the
large turbine size.
A dynamic tool
By the end of November 2008, more
than 120 users from Argentina to Zam-
bia had downloaded the HydroHelp 1
program. Of these users, about half are
consultants, a third are from utilities, and
the remainder represent manufacturers,
universities, or individuals.
Program users are encouraged to pro-
vide feedback to the developers of Hy-
droHelp 1 regarding the program and
the cost data. This feedback will be used
to further refne and update the cost
algorithms.
Some enhancements scheduled for the
next program update, to be performed in
mid-2009, include producing more data
on the powerhouse. This will include the
roof level, the powerhouse length, and an
allowance for rental of a mobile crane for
unit installation (for when equipment
has to be lowered through a roof hatch,
due to very high tailwater food levels).
The program also will be updated as
the turbine operating envelope changes
and data from new turbine types be-
comes available.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank CANMET for sup-
port provided during development of
HydroHelp 1.
Notes
1
Gordon, James L., Hydraulic Turbine
Sizing, Hydro Review, Volume 9, No. 1,
February 1990, pages 74-78.
2
Gordon, James L., Hydraulic Turbine
Ef ciency, Canadian Journal of Civil En-
gineering, Volume 28, No. 2, April 2001,
pages 238-253.
3
Gordon, James L., Powerhouse Con-
crete Quantity Estimates, Canadian Jour-
nal of Civil Engineering, Volume 10, No. 2,
June 1983, pages 271-86.
4
Gordon, James L., Submergence Fac-
tors for Hydraulic Turbines, Journal of
Energy Engineering, Volume 115, No. 2,
August 1989, pages 90-107.
5
Gordon, James L., Powerhouse Super-
structure Steel Weight, International Wa-
ter Power and Dam Construction, Volume
60, No. 8, August 2008, pages 32-33.
6
Gordon, James L., A New Approach to
Turbine Speed, International Water Power
and Dam Construc tion, Volume 42, No. 8,
7
Gordon, James L., Estimating Hydro
Powerhouse Crane Capacity, Inter-
national Water Power and Dam Construc-
tion, Volume 30, No. 11, November 1978,
pages 25-26.
8
Huichao, Dai, and Tian Bin, Equip ping
the Largest Hydro Plant in the World:
Insights from Three Gorges, HRW, Vol-
ume 13, No. 4, September 2005, pages
14-16.
9
Youmei, Lu, Innovations and Firsts in
Equipment at Three Gorges, HRW,
Volume 9, No. 5, November 2001, pages
26-28.
10
Guan, L.C., The Three Gorges Proj-
ect, Symposium, Hong Kong, 1993.
11
Li, S.H. et al, Challenges to Turbine
Development, International Water Power
and Dam Construction, Volume 59 No. 8,
continued from page 42
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23-26 June 2009 Reykjavik Iceland
Advancing
Sustainable
Hydropower
www.hydropower.org
The International Hydropower Association is pleased to announce its initial World Congress sponsors and partners:
Registration for the IHA 2009 World Congress is now open.
Register online at www.hydropower.org or contact us today to find out more:
Tel: +44 20 8652 5290 Email: congress@hydropower.org Web: www.hydropower.org
______________
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ANDRITZ HYDRO Corp.
University Research Park,
10735 David Taylor Drive, Suite 500 Charlotte, NC 28262
Phone: +1.704.943 4343, Fax: +1.704.943 0200
Hydro Power.
contact.usa@andritz-hydro.com
www.andritz-hydro.com
Large Hydro is more than a big idea.
dr i vi ng f or ce f or t echnol ogy and
cust omer s sat i sf act i on.
ANDRI TZ HYDRO has more than
400,000 MW of hydro capacity install-
ed worl dwi de. The combi nat i on of
exper i ence, i nnovat i on and gl obal
manufacturi ng i s ANDRITZ HYDROs
We focus on the best solution from
water to wire.
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HRW 20090301 Mar 2009

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MBATING SILT EROSION CO 28

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bearings were specically developed to meet hydropower applications

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