Reversible Francis pump-turbines for pumped storage plants, including variable-speed units
Reversible single-stage Francis pump-turbines for pumped storage plants rated from 185 to 412 MW per unit, with fixed or adjustable speed. They run as a turbine in generating mode and as a pump during hours of surplus energy. Suitable for new plants and for converting existing ones to variable speed.
- Type
- reversible single-stage Francis pump-turbine
- Rating (deliveries)
- 185–412 MW per unit
- Kazunogawa
- 412 MW, 500 rpm, the highest-head single-stage pump-turbine in the world
- Omarugawa
- 310 MW, 576–624 rpm (variable speed)
Price, availability and lead time on request. We help with analogue selection, customs clearance and delivery.
Description
Reversible Francis pump-turbines operate at pumped storage power plants. In generating mode the same machine acts as a turbine, and in hours of surplus energy it acts as a pump, moving water to the upper reservoir. This arrangement makes it possible to use one machine instead of a separate turbine and pump. The pump-turbines are supplied paired with motor-generators of fixed or adjustable speed.
The flow path (spiral case, guide vanes, runner, draft tube) is calculated with CFD methods and verified by model tests on the manufacturer's own test stand. For variable-speed units the runner and the control system are designed to operate across a range of rotational speeds. This widens the operating zone and raises efficiency in both pumping and turbine modes.
Supply references are given according to the manufacturer and its parent companies. At the Kazunogawa plant there is a 412 MW pump-turbine at 500 rpm, which at commissioning was the highest-head single-stage pump-turbine of large capacity in the world. Unit 4 of the Okawachi plant delivers 331 MW at 330–390 rpm and became the world's first variable-speed system of the 300 MW class. The Omarugawa plant has 310 MW at 576–624 rpm; at start-up it was the fastest-running variable-speed pumped storage plant. At the Okutataragi plant (311.1 MW, 300 ± 15 rpm) a pump-turbine and a motor-generator were converted from fixed to variable speed at the same time for the first time in the world. The Avče plant in Slovenia (185.4 MW) became the company's first export variable-speed pumped storage plant.
Applications: new pumped storage plants and modernisation of existing ones by converting them to variable speed. Variable-speed units make it possible to regulate frequency in pumping mode, follow load changes faster and support grid voltage, which matters with a large share of solar and wind generation.
Turbine deliveries of the company and its parent companies cover Japan (over 30,000 MW), North America (over 16,000 MW), Latin America (over 23,000 MW), Europe, the Middle East and Africa (over 3,000 MW), and Asia and Oceania (over 20,000 MW).
Technical specifications
| Type | reversible single-stage Francis pump-turbine |
|---|---|
| Rating (deliveries) | 185–412 MW per unit |
| Kazunogawa | 412 MW, 500 rpm, the highest-head single-stage pump-turbine in the world |
| Omarugawa | 310 MW, 576–624 rpm (variable speed) |
| Okutataragi | 311.1 MW, 300 ± 15 rpm |
| Modes | fixed or adjustable rotational speed |
Request a price and lead time
Reversible Francis pump-turbines for pumped storage plants, including variable-speed units. We reply within one business day.
Or email sales@usk.ua or call 044 339-50-20.
Questions and answers
What is the rating of the Francis pump-turbines supplied?
From 185 to 412 MW per unit. For example, the pump-turbine at the Kazunogawa plant is rated 412 MW at 500 rpm.
Are variable-speed versions available?
Yes. At the Omarugawa plant the unit has 310 MW at 576–624 rpm, and at the Okutataragi plant 311.1 MW at 300 ± 15 rpm.
What does variable speed give a pumped storage plant?
It makes it possible to regulate frequency in pumping mode, follow load changes faster and support grid voltage.
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