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Variable-speed operation of Francis turbines: A review of the perspectives and challenges

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  • Iliev, Igor
  • Trivedi, Chirag
  • Dahlhaug, Ole Gunnar

Abstract

The paper presents the recent trends and ideas for flexible operation of Francis turbines using Full-Size Frequency Converter (FSFC) or Doubly-Fed Induction Machine (DFIM) technology for variable-speed operation. This technology allows for the speed of the runner to be adjusted in order to maximize the efficiency and/or reduce dynamic loads of the turbine according to the available head and power generation demands. Continuous speed variation of up to ±10% of the design rotational speed can be achieved with the DFIM technology, while for FSFC there is no such limit by the technology itself. For off-design operation of Francis turbines, depending on the variation of the head and the hydraulic design, the hydraulic efficiency gain from variable-speed operation compared to its synchronous-speed representative can go up to 10%. In addition, turbines operated at variable-speed can have significant improvement in the response times for power output variations, being able to utilize the flywheel effect from the rotating masses (also known as synthetic inertia). This review focuses on the investigations and the achievements done so far and does not tend to enter deeply into each multidisciplinary aspect of the technology itself. Possible further development directions are also disclosed, mainly towards the hydraulic design and optimization of variable-speed Francis turbines.

Suggested Citation

  • Iliev, Igor & Trivedi, Chirag & Dahlhaug, Ole Gunnar, 2019. "Variable-speed operation of Francis turbines: A review of the perspectives and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 109-121.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:103:y:2019:i:c:p:109-121
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2018.12.033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liu, Xin & Luo, Yongyao & Karney, Bryan W. & Wang, Weizheng, 2015. "A selected literature review of efficiency improvements in hydraulic turbines," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 18-28.
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    3. Trivedi, Chirag & Agnalt, Einar & Dahlhaug, Ole Gunnar, 2017. "Investigations of unsteady pressure loading in a Francis turbine during variable-speed operation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 397-410.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Trivedi, Chirag & Iliev, Igor & Dahlhaug, Ole Gunnar & Markov, Zoran & Engstrom, Fredrik & Lysaker, Henning, 2020. "Investigation of a Francis turbine during speed variation: Inception of cavitation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 147-162.
    3. Damian Liszka & Zbigniew Krzemianowski & Tomasz Węgiel & Dariusz Borkowski & Andrzej Polniak & Konrad Wawrzykowski & Artur Cebula, 2022. "Alternative Solutions for Small Hydropower Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-31, February.
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    5. Alessandro Morabito & Jan Spriet & Elena Vagnoni & Patrick Hendrick, 2020. "Underground Pumped Storage Hydropower Case Studies in Belgium: Perspectives and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-24, August.
    6. Filip Stojkovski & Marija Lazarevikj & Zoran Markov & Igor Iliev & Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, 2021. "Constraints of Parametrically Defined Guide Vanes for a High-Head Francis Turbine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-13, May.
    7. Eva Bílková & Jiří Souček & Martin Kantor & Roman Kubíček & Petr Nowak, 2023. "Variable-Speed Propeller Turbine for Small Hydropower Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-14, April.
    8. Krzemianowski, Zbigniew & Steller, Janusz, 2021. "High specific speed Francis turbine for small hydro purposes - Design methodology based on solving the inverse problem in fluid mechanics and the cavitation test experience," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 1210-1228.
    9. Binaya Baidar & Jonathan Nicolle & Bhupendra K. Gandhi & Michel J. Cervantes, 2020. "Numerical Study of the Winter–Kennedy Flow Measurement Method in Transient Flows," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-22, March.
    10. Kougias, Ioannis & Aggidis, George & Avellan, François & Deniz, Sabri & Lundin, Urban & Moro, Alberto & Muntean, Sebastian & Novara, Daniele & Pérez-Díaz, Juan Ignacio & Quaranta, Emanuele & Schild, P, 2019. "Analysis of emerging technologies in the hydropower sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1-1.
    11. Mercier, Thomas & Olivier, Mathieu & De Jaeger, Emmanuel, 2023. "The value of electricity storage arbitrage on day-ahead markets across Europe," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    12. Frank A Plua & Francisco-Javier Sánchez-Romero & Victor Hidalgo & P. Amparo López-Jiménez & Modesto Pérez-Sánchez, 2021. "New Expressions to Apply the Variation Operation Strategy in Engineering Tools Using Pumps Working as Turbines," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-17, April.
    13. Sha Li & Zezhou Cao & Kuangqing Hu & Diyi Chen, 2023. "Performance Assessment for Primary Frequency Regulation of Variable-Speed Pumped Storage Plant in Isolated Power Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-16, January.
    14. Chirag Trivedi & Igor Iliev & Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, 2020. "Numerical Study of a Francis Turbine over Wide Operating Range: Some Practical Aspects of Verification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-10, May.
    15. Fang Dao & Yun Zeng & Yidong Zou & Xiang Li & Jing Qian, 2021. "Acoustic Vibration Approach for Detecting Faults in Hydroelectric Units: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-16, November.

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