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- Conventional Hydro
TIP 346: Cold Spray Deposition for Improved Service Life of New and Repaired Hydroelectric Turbines
Lead Companies
Pacific Northwest National Laboratories /BPA
Lead Researcher (s)
- Dennis Mai, BPA
- Luke Chase, BPA
This project provides BPA and utilities with hydropower assets, a model that they can use to understand the value proposition of cold spray repair for their hydropower system. This tool calculates anticipated savings in terms of reduced downtime and increased efficiency. It generates data required for cold spray repair providers to quote the work. Using outputs from this model, utilities can perform costs analysis for a given turbine repair.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Turbine
Status
complete
Completion Date
2019
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 350: Power Plant Dynamic Performance Monitoring Center
Lead Companies
BPA/USACE/US Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR)
Lead Researcher (s)
- Steve Yang, BPA
This project developed and demonstrated an integrated system for monitoring power plant dynamic performance and model validation. This system has the following capabilities: - Events are detected and classified, notifications are sent through the BPA e-mail, e-mail includes event report. Data is extracted automatically - Updates PPMV with State Estimator Models, upgraded to new API with GE PSLF that does not require use of external EPCLs - Automates model acceptance process similarly to PPMV process - Performs routine benchmarking of power plant performance against performance metrics such as Frequency Response Obligation and voltage control - Deploys small signal oscillation detection application, log events of sustained oscillations, and provides data extraction capabilities
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Controls
Status
complete
Completion Date
2018
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 384: In situ residual stress measurement for accurate fatigue lifetime assessment
Lead Companies
General Electric (GE)/ Alstom Renewable USA, /BPA
Lead Researcher (s)
- Mourad Heniche, Eng, PhD
- Dennis Petross, BPA
The main goal of the project is to help the condition assessments of key hydropower components through the measurement of residual stresses. To reach that goal, two major objectives were realized: (1) development of an in situ residual stress measurement method for critical hydropower components and (2) development of a methodology for treatment and incorporations of measured residual stresses into residual life assessments.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Turbine
Status
complete
Completion Date
2019
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 385: Enhancing Hydropower Reliability through Cavitation Monitoring and Noise Condition Assessment
Lead Companies
Alstom Renewable Energy, LLC/BPA
Lead Researcher (s)
- Luke Chase, BPA
- Francis Proulx, Alstom
This project aims to 1) develop a cavitation-erosion monitoring method that will be implemented in a monitoring system demonstrator and 2) thoroughly investigate the feasibility of using noise measurements for condition and monitoring assessments of hydro turbine-generator unit components.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Turbine
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
2020
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 405: Kaplan Turbines Oil Leak Elimination
Lead Companies
CEATI
Lead Researcher (s)
- George Brown, BPA
This research will provide guidance on existing/in-situ oil-filled Kaplan turbins, and identify ways to detect oil leakage and reduce or eliminate it. The longer-term goal is to identify technology changes that can be undertaken to install new oil-less Kaplan technology.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Turbine
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
2020
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 407: EPRI: Flexible Operation of Hydropower Assets
Lead Companies
EPRI
Lead Researcher (s)
- George Brown, BPA
This project intends to create new learnings by assessing the extent of the accelerated wear and fatigue caused by increased flexible operation and hydro asset cycling damage mechanisms. The research aims to provide hydro owners and operators with information necessary to make educated decisions for operating regimes and the costs associated with them. This project focuses strictly on the needs of generating equipment used in conventional and pumped-storage hydropower.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Regulatory Management Process
Research Sub-Category
Asset Management
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
2020
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 408: Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Generator Modeling, Monitoring and Governor, and Voltage Control Optimization
Lead Companies
BPA/US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)/US Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR)
Lead Researcher (s)
- Dmitry Kosterev, BPA
- Steve Yang, BPA
- Gordon Kawaly, BPA
The project is a continuation of a multi-year collaborative effort between BPA Transmission and US Army Corps of Engineers in the area of generator modeling, monitoring and control optimization. This project completes work started under TIP 274 and focuses on the optimization of generator primary controls (AVR, PSS, governors) to provide essential reliability services.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Controls
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
2020
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 413: Kaplan Oil-Less Turbine Testing & Specification Development
Lead Companies
Hydroelectric Design Center (HDC), USACE/PNNL/ BPA
Lead Researcher (s)
- Dan Patla, HDC
- George Brown, BPA
The project develops test stand design for evaluating the durability and effectiveness of the Kaplan Oil-Less bushings and mating materials. Project success enables testing confirmation of: 1. The reliability of the oil less turbine runners, 2. Adequate material pairings to achieve the reliability, 3. Development of specifications that allows future project replacements with Kaplan oil-less turbines.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Turbine
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
2021
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 414: CEATI – Hydraulic Plant Life Interest Group (HPLIG)
Lead Companies
CEATI
Lead Researcher (s)
- George Brown, BPA
There is also an increasing emphasis on the requirement for capital investments in equipment and parts replacement to ensure outage times for equipment repair and maintenance are optimized. Return on investment will need to be protected and enhanced in part by program improvements such as refurbishment or replacement of inefficient units with new high efficiency ones; improvements in the design of intake, flow passage, and tailrace hydraulics; and better tools for measuring productivity improvements achieved with planned initiatives. Further ongoing reductions of capital outlay to ensure the continued production of low cost energy will require the development of improved maintenance and repair techniques. Such techniques are seen as using new processes and materials to extend equipment life. These procedures can speed up the repair process to reduce outage times, while condition assessment, equipment diagnosis, and monitoring can optimize “just in time” maintenance.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Regulatory Management Process
Research Sub-Category
Asset Management
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
2020
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 415: CEATI – Asset Management in Generation Program (AMIG)
Lead Companies
CEATI
Lead Researcher (s)
- Gordon Ashby, BPA
The Asset Management Interest Group (AMIG) provides real life examples and direction to implementing Asset Management in hydro-electric utilities. AMIG builds upon work completed by the Asset Management Task Force that was initiated as part of the Hydraulic Plant Life Interest Group in 2011. The group covers all aspects of Asset Management, from the development of policies and strategies, to risk frameworks, asset management plans, and investment management, to achieve strategic objectives. The group considers inputs from all Asset Management standards and the diverse experience of international members to move asset management forward for all members. Topics and projects are user-driven to provide value to members at all stages of the Asset Management journey.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Regulatory Management Process
Research Sub-Category
Asset Management
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
2020
Don’t see your waterpower research?
Have questions about WaRP?
Contact Marla Barnes at: marla@hydro.org