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This is Electrical Spillways
Electrical Spillway is a solution to secure safety and increase reliability for the hydroelectric dam structure, internal waterways as well as the hydro-generator. It enables less wear and loads on the dam structure and machinery when the internal waterways are open/closed, works as a complement or an alternative to the traditional spillways at high water levels or flows and protects the generator from runaway speed when a load rejection/disconnection occurs. It also has beneficial effect on the network in the light of the new energy mix with more wind power.
Electrical Spillways Explained
In the light of new electrical energy mix and climate change, hydro-power industry is meeting new challenges in securing dam safety and reliability of the functions in the hydroelectric dam. With increasing production from wind power, there is clear trend that hydropower works both a regulated source of energy (on/off) as well as energy reservoir, securing well filled dams when the wind power will contribute to less production (typically winter times). In addition, the climate change result in more frequent water run-off during precipitation after draught periods, combined with more extreme rains. In some regions in the world more 25% increase of annual precipitation is expected.
This will set new requirements on conventional dam structures as well as run-the-river hydroelectric stations. The more frequent of traditional spillways can cause increased erosion of the dam structure/station and impose an environmental and safety risk down-streams. Electrical Spillways enables that the internal waterways can be used even if there is no need of hydropower production and can work as emergency power in case of a black-out. In addition, Electrical Spillway can be used in case of load rejection or disconnection of the hydro-generator, to avoid runway speed of the generator.
The tendency to use hydropower as an intermittent regulated source of electrical energy also mean a challenge for the hydropower industry. Frequent on/off on a hydropower station or generators, leads to increased wear, transients in internal waterways and more stress on the generators through frequent thermal and mechanical cycling. Beside the benefit on the hydro dam structure and equipment, Electrical Spillways can also enable beneficial effect on the local and regional network. Come back later for more information.