Rosatom’s Hungarian subsidiary developed new innovative product for electrification of remote areas

Rosatom’s Hungarian subsidiary Ganz Engineering and Energetics Machinery Co.(Ganz EEM) developed a range of new turbines by means of financing from the Hungarian Innovative Development and Technology Foundation. Innovation project resulted in creation of a mini hydro power plant which is mounted in a standard container and two-in-one turbine pump which enables sustainable water management in the face of climate change.

Development cost totalling in HUF 720 Mln (€ 2.32 Mln) was partly covered with the Hungarian government backing of HUF 180 Mln (€ 580 000). Prototype equipment was successfully tested at Ganz EEM plant, nowadays export of mini hydro power plant to Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran, Ghana and Zambia is under negotiation.

For the development of remote but economically promising areas, electrification is required. Power supply of such areas by means of their grid connection costs much time and heavy spending. Containerised mini hydro power plant from Ganz EEM offers simple, quick and economically viable solution of such problems as well as meeting the needs of population and industry in these remote areas without power grid. They can also serve to replace the existing system of power supply using diesel generators. Condition for the placement and operation is the presence of mountain rivers, which will provide the necessary head of water to the blades of the turbine, and will power a generator to produce electricity.

Ganz EEM director Attila Szitár-Csanádi said: “Last year Ganz EEM was 170 years. Ganz has been always famous with its innovations. Our engineers developed the world’s first transformer, up-to-date power distribution unit as well as turbo alternators and pumps set up as successors of propeller-type turbines with adjustable fins, phase-inverting electrically driven locomotive etc. Ganz is world-famous due to its engineers and workers’ pioneer spirit and high production practices. Our aim is permanent continuous development as response for market demand.”

Mini hydro power plant’ main advantage is: electrical power generation may start very soon, e.g. in a month after installation and water-on. Compact equipment includes all devices necessary for mini hydro power plant’s operation, management and control. In case of turbine’s failure, built-in battery provides power supply for management purposes and enables data transfer to the control center by means of satellite communication. If power network is not connected, diesel generator provides power supply necessary to run the system.

The system includes average power horizontal shaft Francis-type turbine, generator and management system. Generator provides three-phase 400 V/50 Hz current. For mini hydro power plant’s reliable work water head must be 60 to 65 m, speed being 1 m3/sec. If so, system’s nameplate rating is 500 kW. If water head is 120 m and speed is 1 m3/sec, then system’s nameplate rating is 1 MW.

Water head is limited with container size. In case of greater water head and greater power demand, several mutually independent turbines can be installed. Containerised mini hydro power plant can work in power island mode. Equipment components are built in 2 standard containers: the first houses water feeding system and turbo alternator, the second houses wiring and management system. To install mini hydro power plant, one would need basement, intake, valve, pressure tube and local network connection.

Other mini hydro power plant’s advantage is remote control which enables unstaffed operation. Equipment is operated via cellular network, Internet or mobile Internet. Due to the management system, equipment owner can control mini hydro power plant via PC, pad or cell phone as well as obtain generated power data.

Turbine-pump developed by Ganz EEM can be used to fill dam lake (pump mode) or to generate power during dam lake dewatering (turbine mode). Due to climate change in many countries, this equipment can be in good demand.