Hydro VS - WP3
![Das Institut für industrielle Systeme der HES-SO Valais-Wallis: ein anerkannter Führer in der Integration modernster technischer Fähigkeiten, der mit KMUs und internationalen Unternehmen in den Bereichen Elektrizität, Mechanik, Industrie, Lebenswissenschaften und Gesundheit zusammenarbeitet. Mit 90 qualifizierten Experten ist das Institut führend in der anwendungsorientierten Forschung und Entwicklung sowie in der Weiterbildung und konzentriert sich auf Energie, Umwelt, Gesundheitstechnologien und intelligente Prozesse.](/media/image/20/xlarge_2_1/header-isi-fotolia-49439757-xl-2.jpg?8b0228a49f88a2918671fd0456879d3b)
Development of a counter-rotating turbine to recover the energy lost in release valves of water supply
The project focuses on the development of a new axial counter-rotating turbine for small-hydro applications to recover the energy lost in release valves of water supply. A site characterized by low discharge and high head normally requires the use of a hydraulic machine with low specific speed (e.g. Pelton type). Nonetheless, nonconventional concepts, such as in-line multi-stage axial turbines, can also work efficiently under such operating conditions with the advantage of reduced initial infrastructure investments. Indeed, each stage recovers a fraction of the available head.
The development of a compact full in-line version is ongoing at the HES-SO Valais-Wallis in collaboration with the EPFL-LMH. The electrical generators adapted to the “bulb” and “Straflo” configurations are considered. The main goal is to come up with a range of turbines, equipped with efficient electrical generators and driven by smart controllers, able to recover a maximum of energy with an optimum efficiency.