Customer Magazine from Voith Siemens Hydro Power Generation

HyPower

Customer magazine from Voith Siemens Hydro Power Generation

December 2005 Summary Editorial

Editorial Fiscal Year 2004/05 performance 03 Hydro gets political 19 Sales are on the upswing

Focus on technological leadership Focus on history 04 Maximum efficiency 20 There is no future without the past for hydro power plants Customer contacts 05 Plant automation: 24 Prince of Tonga visits Wavegen Engineering know-how makes the difference 25 Events 2005

07 Excitation with maximum reliability Essay and performance 26 The War of Currents

09 Governing system: Hybrid servomotor easens maintenance

10 Vibration diagnosis: Efficient preventative maintenance

News from Europe 12 Bussolengo and Chievo: Rehabilitation for green energy

14 New runner for Austria’s largest Kaplan power plant

15 A new pumped storage station for Portugal

News from the Americas 16 Modernization continues at Exelon's Conowingo power station

17 An important visit in São Paulo, Brazil

17 New Chairman of Voith Siemens Hydro, Brazil

News from the Far East 18 Another milestone for electricity production in Sanxia Voith Siemens Hydro Power Generation

Hydro gets political

Dear readers and customers, What concerns me most of all, is the exclusion of hydro within global energy solutions. Some guidelines, currently We finished the fiscal year in debated, threaten hydro’s contribution to a sound and September 2005. Looking back at responsible generation mix for many nations. For example, this year, I am pleased to say that Dr. Hubert Lienhard current greenhouse gas inventories charge hydro power Chairman of the Board we have not only achieved our reservoirs with CO2 emissions on a general range, deriving of Voith Siemens Hydro corporate goals, but we were also Power Generation results from a handful of studies undertaken so far. In our able to start some things beyond opinion, this grossly misinterprets the true causes of these our regular efforts. emissions, and hydro reservoirs seem to be an easy target.

We are clearly focused on complete plant supply and At the same time that we see growth potential, we are overall assessments. This includes new equipment, mod- frustrated by the inability to move forward and reduce

ernization and optimization of systems of varying degrees global CO2 emissions to satisfy Kyoto and other climate for the maximum technical performance of hydro power change programs. It seems that a comprehensive approach plants. We offer highly developed tools and solutions to is not of interest in most of the ongoing political processes. improve our customers’ return on investment. It is time that we as an industry stand up, work with politi- Furthermore, however, we focus on the whole picture of cal allies and investors and clearly promote the benefits political, environmental and social impacts of energy that hydro brings. You are welcome to join the coalition of generation, and we engage in the discussion of which type stakeholders and industry associations to work toward what of energy production is most beneficial for individual we think is second to none in renewable and emissions-free application. generation and must continue to play an essential role in the energy future of our world, instead of blaming “our” With regard to emerging technologies, we acquired Wave- reservoirs! gen, which is one of the technical leaders in wave energy and the only enterprise to operate a pilot plant not only for We are interested in your opinions and comments; testing, but also for uninterrupted supply of electricity to please feel free to direct them to me personally. the grid. This new technology, we believe, can for example provide remote islands with energy systems that bring My e-mail address is [email protected] emission-free and renewable generation to its population – as may be in the case of Tonga. It offers independence Yours sincerely of fossil fuel imports as a highly attractive add-on. For us, this strive is a clear indication of the heightened hypower 12/2005 awareness for urgently needed options in the energy supply of the future. However, if you look at this year’s public and 02 political debates, it seems that the solutions stay unclear. Hubert Lienhard 03 Focus on technological leadership

Maximum efficiency for hydro power plants

In view of the ongoing trend toward liberalization of the energy markets, demand for cost-efficiency and intelligent hydro plant operation is bound to intensify in the years to come. But there is more to it than just economics. Effective plant management can do a lot to actually make use of the full potential of existing hydro power stations, and thus to enhance the utiliza- tion of clean, sustainable energy. The development of cutting-edge automation and control and monitoring is just one way in which Voith Siemens Hydro contributes to the continuous improvement of plant performance. To ensure that, Voith Siemens Hydro has developed the HyCon family, an automation system, which as a multifunctional approach offers a number of highlights. Plant automation: Engineering know-how makes the difference The need to process the immense amount of information necessary to con- Voith Siemens Hydro, responsible for trol a hydro plant’s vital functions calls for a high level of automation. the mechanical and electrical rehabili- This might suggest that high-tech software is the answer, but it takes a lot tation, will deliver a complete control more than that to develop a technologically advanced solution like HyCon: system for the Jor, Woh and Habu It is the plant engineering know-how that is at the core of a leading-edge plants, and will equip a central control automation system. room for the whole group of plants.

Habu, a small hydro plant with two Having developed and built thousands In the case at the Cameron Highlands Francis units designed for remote of machines, Voith Siemens Hydro is hydro power stations in Malaysia, operation, requires a rather compact able to tailor an advanced modular the group of seven plants located in and cost-saving solution. To keep system to your specific needs – even the central highlands north of Kuala costs at a minimum, the complete when multiple plants with different Lumpur is currently being automated. unit automation and the on-site types and sizes of machines have to In order to extend the lifetime of control panel are integrated into a be equipped with a uniform control these plants, built between 1959 and single cabinet – a solution where all technology. Highly flexible systems 1963 with a total installed capacity of functions of the HyCon 400 control allow for completely customized 263 MW, most of the mechanical and system are integrated in a special automation concepts. electrical auxiliaries will be replaced “all-in-one” configuration. At the Jor along with the installation of a new hydro power station with its four control system. 25 MW Pelton units and Woh with its three 50 MW Francis turbines, priori- ties are different. Here, high availability is the most important factor, so Intake at hydro power station Woh, distributed control architecture is Control room testing Cameron Highlands. needed. For these plants, fully redundant servers are provided with a hot standby backup system. hypower 12/2005

04 05 Focus on technological leadership

Similarly, the central control room is Access to all PLCs (programmable This requirement also applies to the equipped with redundant servers and logic controllers) from the local control system. HyCon 400 meets this an additional historical archive com- control rooms in Jor and Woh, as demand in many ways: not only is it puter, automatically storing all rele- well as from the central control room, based on Siemens SIMATIC S7 tech- vant data. From here, the HyCon 400 can be guaranteed at any time. nology, renowned for its highly reli- system allows the operator to monitor Installation is underway. able long-life components and global- the functions of all of the hydro ly available spare parts. Its software plants. It also features the full range Its reputation for excellent reliability has been developed exclusively for of on-site operating possibilities was a significant reason why the the special conditions in hydroelectric provided in the system, for example, HyCon 400 control system also was generating facilities. the ability to manually operate drives installed at the Brazilian 160 MW and switches. Reliable communica- hydro power station Pedra do Cavalo. For more information: tion is another important aspect for The brand-new plant, which began [email protected] the operator of the Cameron Highland full commercial operation in January [email protected] power stations. By implementing two 2005, provides almost 800,000 process buses as separate units, people in the Brazilian state of Bahia completely independent of and isolat- with electricity, and significantly ed from one another, communication reduces the risk of blackouts in the can always be maintained. region. Therefore, it is most important that the plant functions as a stable source of electricity for many years to come. Detailed information is provided in our brochure Pedra do Cavalo, Brazil Salvador, Bahia, Brazil HyCon 400, t3302 e. Excitation with maximum reliability and performance

The energy that a hydro generator produces is worthless unless it can be supplied to the power grid. It is the job of the excitation system to guaran- tee that this energy can be transferred, and therefore, the priority is on Detailed information is reliability, fast voltage responses and the utmost stability: requirements provided in our brochure that are fully met by Thyricon excitation system. Thyricon Excitation system – the intelligent choice, t3307 e.

Incorporating Voith Siemens Hydro Thyricon offers reliable software and technology, the Thyricon excitation hardware; its technology is based on system is designed to meet all needs. standard Siemens hardware. A world- Thyricon excitation system The intelligent choice This modular system can be cus- wide network assures total availability tomized to individual needs in a wide of spare parts at any time. The excita- application range. All hydro power tion system is equipped with digital

generators and motors from 0.5 to voltage regulators that allow a fast Reliable, leading-edge technology

Incorporating Voith Siemens Hydro All hydro power generators and technology, the Thyricon excitation motors from 0.5 to 800 MW can system is designed to meet all have an optimized solution. 800 MW can be provided with an grid response. A power system stabi- needs. This modular system can be customized to an individual excita-

tion system in a wide application hypower 12/2005 optimized solution. lizer, minimizing power oscillations, range. can be added. 06 07 Focus on technological leadership

Easy visualization is of great impor- The first of three 120 MVA generator tance, and trend functions are dis- units was retrofitted this summer; played on the operator panel to help modernization of the others is to be speed up commissioning and mainte- finished soon. nance. Thyricon excitation systems have The energy-saving qualities of this been operating in around 500 hydro highly-efficient system make it the power stations all over the world, best choice, not only for new installa- with excellent results. The Thyricon excitation system tions. Since the product can be inte- controller is a user-friendly grated into existing power stations For more information: Human Machine Interface (HMI). and control systems easily, it is also [email protected] a most suitable solution for modernization and rehabilitation projects – as is the case at Piva hydro power station, Montenegro.

Piva hydro power station, Montenegro Governing system: Hybrid servomotor easens maintenance The ability to control a hydro power plant and the quality of the electric power it provides largely depends upon the performance of the governing system. The governor maintains the turbine speed and regulates its output.

Small to medium sized hydro power By boosting the pressure from a The oil pressure tank, compressor, stations have increasingly been conventional 6 MPa to ultra high sump tank, distributing valve and equipped with governors with a motor 10 MPa and integrating the pressure many control valves are no longer operated servomotor. However, this oil system, control valves and pump necessary. Installation is easy and no reliable and easy-to-maintain system set into a single component, the size piping is needed. Over recent years, calls for a much larger footprint than of the servomotor system has been several plants in Japan have already the conventional pressure oil operated reduced and its structure simplified. been equipped with hybrid servomotor servomotor. systems with excellent customer The 10 MPa Hybrid servomotor sys- feedback. Voith Fuji Japan has developed a tem is directly driven by a reversible way to combine the advantages of pump and controlled by a DC servo- For more information: both size and ease of maintenance, motor and a digital governor. [email protected] by using ultra high oil pressure.

Hybrid servomotor installation at Kubusugawa, Japan. hypower 12/2005

08 09 Focus on technological leadership

Vibration diagnosis: Efficient preventative maintenance The complex excitation mechanisms and the large scope of dynamics in operational transitions make high demands on measurement, data processing and evaluation procedures. The interpretation and diagnosis of vibration behavior of a hydro power unit requires an enormous amount of data.

The HyCon vibration diagnosis sys- Furthermore, HyCon vibration This enables the causes of major tem is capable of compressing large diagnosis incorporates a deep com- known abnormalities to be clearly amounts of measurement data into a prehension of the functional relation identified and remedial recommenda- manageable and comprehensive set of between vibration causes and effects. tions are provided. By remote connec- information, thus enabling continuous It integrates the profound knowledge tion to the power plant, a vibration monitoring and archiving, which in of hydro technology accumulated expert can diagnose the system and turn allows for long-term evaluation over decades of development, manu- offer online support when needed. of machine conditions. facturing and operating hydroelectric machinery. In the event of abnormal vibration behavior, different error pattern probabilities are processed.

Venda Nova II, Portugal Goldisthal, Germany Voith Siemens Hydro data acquisition diagnosis – monitoring – evaluation – analysis – fault probability – storage – machine condition

HyCon vibration diagnosis system

This remote diagnosis service can With its high-resolution measurement be especially helpful during the tight data, the system was able to separate schedule of a commissioning process. multiple influences on the vibration HyCon vibration diagnosis Condition-based diagnosis for hydroelectric machines A good example is the beginning of behavior of the units and to provide

Voith Siemens Hydro data acquisition diagnosis – monitoring – evaluation operation at the Goldisthal pumped important information for evaluation – analysis – fault probability – storage – machine condition storage plant in Germany. Here, vibra- and interpretation. HyCon vibration

tion experts from the Voith Siemens diagnosis has also been used to Vibration diagnosis is one of the VSHyCon, the vibration diagnosis To increase the owner’s benefit, most important aspects of machine module of Voith Siemens Hydro the module was designed as an inte- diagnosis. It has increasingly gained meets all these challenges and gives gral part of our VSHyCon control in importance as part of condition- additional value-added features to system family. This provides even based maintenance for hydroelec- our customers: more benefits: tric equipment. The variety of units, Hydro Corporate Technology Center support the commissioning process the complex excitation mechanisms early detection of incipient avoiding adverse operating and the large scope of dynamics damage conditions, particularly in the which occur in the operational reduction of inspection and case of remote operation transitions represent great demands repair work optimization of starting with regard to measurement, data increase in time between procedures supported commissioning and guar- of two new machines at the Por- processing and evaluation proce- inspections, resulting in greater automatic functions to reduce dures. availability unfavorable vibration behavior reduction in insurance premiums are introduced into the control possible system such as power limitation, load changes, or in the worst antee testing from Heidenheim. tuguese Venda Nova II pumped stor- case, machine shut-down. The HyCon vibration diagnosis system age plant. was installed along an existing vibra- Detailed information is tion monitoring system. It was used For more information: provided in our brochure: HyCon vibration diagnosis – for a synchronous unit as well as for [email protected] condition-based diagnosis hypower 12/2005 a variable speed machine. for hydroelectric machines, t3309 e. 10 11 News from Europe

Bussolengo and Chievo: Rehabilitation for green energy

Detail of the historical building Inside the Chievo power house. of the Chievo power plant.

Early this summer, Voith Siemens Hydro, Italy successfully completed the modernization of two hydro power plants for Enel Power of Italy. This upgrade now gives the operator the chance to take part in the state-run incentive scheme which encourages the use of renewable energy.

Fit for Green Certificates The Green Certificate earnings system The output increase and moderniza- was launched by the Italian govern- tion has been a big step forward for ment in 2001 as part of the Kyoto the operators on the liberalized energy resolutions. Since the beginning of market in Italy. Following the over- 2002 all major power producers and haul, Enel can apply for Green Certifi- importers have been obliged to gener- cates and earn additional revenue. ate or purchase 2% of their energy, exceeding 100 GWh, from renewables. Power plant operators like Enel Power, Output increased whose plants were installed after The Bussolengo and Chievo plants on In 2003, the contract for upgrading April 1, 1999, or have been put back the Adige River in the province of three three-meter Francis turbines into service following plant extension, Verona have been in operation since was awarded – one that was handled replacement or reactivation since the 1940s. The two largest hydro as part of a state-run promotional then, can apply for and trade in Green power plants of the region with maxi- program. The engineers were able to Certificates. One hundred MWh of mum 40 and 25 meter heads form complete the plant assembly one generated energy is allocated to each part of the hydro power generation month ahead of schedule. The units Green Certificate. It applies to the system near Ala. After the upgrade, were put into commercial operation year in which it was issued and con- the Bussolengo and Chievo turbines following completion of the dry run tinues for a period of eight years. now generate 17.5 MW and 10.5 MW tests in May. respectively. Together, both plants Through this period, the certificates generate some 550 GWh of power For more information: can either be traded through bilateral a year. [email protected] agreements or on the Green Certifi- cate Exchange itself. In this way, Green Certificates in Italy both promote the generation of electricity from renewables and allow the producers of power from renewables to achieve extra income in addition to the earnings on the power itself.

Adige River, Verona, Italy Inside the Bussolengo power house. hypower 12/2005

12 13 News from Europe

New runner for Austria’s largest Kaplan power plant Voith Siemens Hydro, St. Pölten, in consortium with Andritz, has been awarded the complete rehabilitation of the 40 year old Aschach power station on the Danube River.

The station opened a 40 km stretch of Rehabilitation works include the The runner blade assembly is accom- the Danube between Jochenstein and supply of four new Kaplan runners plished inside the pit by means of a Aschach for power generation and with an increased diameter of 8.6 m, special blade assembly opening in the improvement of navigation in this and new spherical discharge rings, embedded discharge ring. The outage very narrow part of the river valley. as well as the refurbishment of the time is extremely tight, only six Power generation efficiency is distributor, changing the grease months, including commissioning. enhanced by the high head and the lubricated wicket gate bearings to The first unit will be delivered in high winter percentage of annual maintenance-free bearings. A special September 2006, with one runner energy (almost 40%). The original challenge for the runner assembly is following each successive year. turbines are still the largest in Austria. maintaining the original bottom ring with its existing diameter. For more information: [email protected] Inside the Aschach power house. A new pumped storage station for Portugal Following a successful 30-day test period, the Portuguese Venda Nova II pumped storage station began supplying electricity in September 2005.

In north-eastern Portugal, some Although 20% of Portugal’s energy 40 kilometers north of Braga on the needs are already being met by Rabagão River, the Venda Nova II hydroelectric power, the country station shares an existing reservoir wants to obtain an additional 19% with four other hydroelectric power of its energy from renewable sources stations. Apart from building a pres- by 2010, and is looking to wind power sure tunnel approximately four kilo- to help achieve this. The pumped meters long and an underwater pres- storage station will play an important sure tunnel 1.5 kilometers long, no role in achieving this goal, as it is other intervention in the landscape able to deliver its energy to the grid was necessary during the construc- at extremely short notice, and will tion of this underground hydroelectric compensate for the fluctuating output plant. of wind-generated energy.

Assembly of the support ring Voith Siemens Hydro received the For more information: for the thrust bearing segments. order in April 2000 to supply two [email protected] 92-MW units, comprising two reversible pump-turbine and motor- generator sets, spherical valves and other mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical equipment. hypower 12/2005

Lowering the power unit 14 15 News from the Americas

Modernization continues at Exelon's Conowingo power station The Conowingo plant is located on the Susquehanna River in Northern Maryland, USA, and operated by the Susquehanna Electric Company, a subsidiary of Exelon. It has been producing electric power to the transmission system since it first began commercial operation in 1928.

During an inspection on one of the Starting with a joint engineering effort The success of the project is credited generating units, engineers at the between the operating units in USA, to the cooperation and dedication of plant discovered serious problems. Canada, and Brazil, and finishing with the engineers and staff at each of the in the generator stator. a combined field operations team operating units to insure customer from York and Mississauga, Voith satisfaction in quality and schedule In early 2005, a fast-track procure- Siemens Hydro was able to design commitment. ment process was initiated to supply and deliver equipment to the site in and install a complete new stator. record time. For more information: It brought together the experience [email protected] and resources of three Voith Siemens Hydro operating units in order to meet a demanding delivery schedule by the end of 2005.

With a local manufacturing facility in York, PA, Voith Siemens Hydro was able to confidently deliver on the tight schedule commitments. The stator frame was manufactured in the York facility. An important visit in São Paulo, Brazil The Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy, Silas Rondeau Cavalcante Silva, which will be exported to India's visited the Voith Siemens Hydro installations in São Paulo, on August 31st Omkareshwar project and a Kaplan for the first time. After a meeting with the chief officers of the company and runner, which will equip the Peixe Dr. Hubert Lienhard, President and CEO, he was enthusiastic about what Angical hydro power plant in the he saw. Brazilian state of Tocantins.

“I am impressed by Voith Siemens Financial director Heinz Herrmann Hydro’s vertical production capacity, was pleased with the opportunity of from casting to assembly and final dialogue between the government and production”, stated Silas Rondeau. the business community and stated that learning about Voith Siemens The Minister was accompanied by Hydro’s activities in Brazil was useful the advisor Ivo Costa and the former to the government. Minister of Communications, Fernando César Mesquita (Sarney administra- For more information: tion). The delegation learned about [email protected] Silas Rondeau (middle) the manufacturing process for actual during his visit with his hosts projects, including a Francis turbine, from Voith Siemens Hydro.

New Chairman of Voith Siemens Hydro, Brazil Effective September 30, 2005, Osvaldo San Martin has assumed the position of Chairman of the Board of Voith Siemens Hydro, Brazil.

He succeeds Julio Oscar Fenner, who functions for over 26 years and was left the Voith Siemens Hydro Manage- a Member of the Board of Voith ment Board of São Paulo to assume Paper in São Paulo before joining other responsibilities. Voith Siemens Hydro. Osvaldo San Martin, new Chairman of the Board of Voith Osvaldo San Martin previously served For more information: hypower 12/2005 Siemens Hydro, in Voith’s paper division in various [email protected] Brazil. 16 17 News from the Far East

Another milestone for electricity production in Sanxia The spotlight was once again focused on China’s Sanxia hydro power station with a formal ceremony on September 16, 2005, marking the start of commercial operation of 14 generating units in the Left Bank Power House.

The consortium of Voith Siemens The Sanxia systems represent the Hydro and General Electric supplied largest and most powerful static six turbine generator units for the excitation systems ever designed power station. An additional order and built for a hydro power plant. for the supply of excitation systems (see also our technical article on for all 14 units was given to Voith Voith Siemens Hydro’s Thyricon Siemens Hydro in 2000. systems, p. 7-8).

For more information: [email protected] Fiscal Year 2004/05 performance

Sales are on the upswing Very good performance could be registered regarding Voith Siemens Hydro’s Fiscal Year 2004/2005 performance. Sales have risen to € 594 million. Final order intake is at € 625 million. The future outlook remains positive, with expected stimulation of all markets during fiscal year 2005/2006.

Once more, China represents a The geographic range of the orders is regional focus of business – Voith the positive result of Voith Siemens Siemens Hydro has been awarded Hydro’s successful global positioning three projects in this market. in all countries important to the hydro Additional projects were won in business. Romania, North America, the Domini- can Republic and Africa: Here Voith For more information: Siemens Hydro will provide the com- Barbara.Fischer-Aupperle@vs-hydro. hypower 12/2005 plete electro-mechanical equipment com for Ethiopia’s Gilgel Gibe II project. 18 19 Focus on history

There is no future without the past

Voith Francis Runner from 1939

When, like the writers of this issue of HyPower, you are keenly focused on Kindly supported by innovation, technological milestones and the future of energy production, the German Museum. an examination of our industry’s history can provide a very useful way of putting it all into perspective. And what better way of getting a His engineering office was respon- feeling for the past than visiting one sible for the construction of the of the many museums that specialize Walchensee hydroelectric power in displaying and preserving the station nearby Munich, for example, valuable artifacts of our past. which opened in 1924 and until today operates as a peak-load power plant The so-called German Museum for the Bavarian electricity network (Deutsches Museum) in Munich has and for the German Federal Railway. particular relevance to Germany and to the industry overall, since its founder, Oskar von Miller, was also an important pioneer in the field of hydro power. It might not surprise you to learn that The permanent hydroelectric power Voith AG and Voith Siemens Hydro station exhibit contains a cross- helped to establish the museum’s section model of a run-of-river power hydro engineering section, as well as station with a Kaplan turbine and contributed to the latest “Kultur und generator. In addition to a number of Technik” (Culture and Technology) historic turbines, there are informa- magazine that reports on water tive working models and originals issues, including an overview on dam artifacts of Francis, Pelton and Kaplan construction from 3000 a. t. up to- turbines, as commonly installed date and hydro power stations from today. Oskar von Miller to Three Gorges. (http://www.deutsches-museum.de/ Visitors can glean in-depth informa- bildung/veroeff/zeit.htm) tion about the hydrological cycle, the distribution and consumption of water, the protection of water resources and the history of hydro engineering. In addition to presenta- tions on the various uses of water, the exhibition explores the key issues of river and waterway engineering and hydro power.

For more information: www.deutschesmuseum.de

Francis Spiral turbine, 1952. The model shows the arrange- ment of a Francis turbine and the associated generator in a hydro power station. Based on hypower 12/2005 an original of Voith Heidenheim. 20 21 Focus on history

Energy Museum of São Paulo. Governor Geraldo Alckmin (middle) at the opening ceremony.

Solidarity with the past Because Voith Siemens Hydro has The Energy Museum of São Paulo, strong roots not only in Brazil’s which was opened by the governor of economy but also in its history, Voith the state, Geraldo Alckmin, focuses Siemens Hydro Brazil also sponsored on the development of energy in the restoration of the historical build- Brazil, its history, innovations and ing that houses the Energy Museum of research. The new museum will help São Paulo and the Energy and Sanita- to preserve more than a hundred tion Historical Heritage Foundation. years of history. Its collection is presented to the public in various The building is located in the old themed exhibitions. Courses will be quarter of the capital of São Paulo held and research will be conducted and dates back to the 19th Century. in partnership with universities from It is known as “Santos Dumont all over the world. Mansion” and belonged to the family of the Brazilian aviator, Santos For more information: Dumont. www.museudaenergia.org.br The Electric Power Historical Museum in Yokohama Japan can also look back on a long Many of the units installed during A wide variety of exhibits can be seen history of hydro power. The first this period have been replaced with in the museum, covering topics such 400-horsepower hydro power station new equipment. The Electric Power as the invention of static electricity, was built more than 110 years ago Historical Museum in Yokohama, the development of hydro, thermal in 1890, to provide electricity for established by Tokyo Electric Power and nuclear power, and electricity mining and lighting. Between 1900 Company, provides great insight into distribution systems. In the “Hydro and 1930, many hydro generating some of the historical devices. Power Generation Zone”, prototypes units, including Voith turbines and of Voith Siemens Hydro turbines and Siemens generators, were imported generators are exhibited as monu- from Europe and the United States ments to hydro power generation. and installed in various places in Japan. For more information: www.tepco.co.jp/rd/shiryokane/ index-e.html

39 MW Voith Francis turbine and generator unit of Shinanogawa power station displayed as cross sectional view. hypower 12/2005

22 23 Customer contacts

Prince of Tonga visits Wavegen

His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Tonga, spent two days in Scotland The Crown Prince of Tonga talks talking to Inverness based wave energy specialist Wavegen about the to Wavegen’s Project Manager Ben Yeats about the company’s opportunities for utilizing Wavegen’s technology in the Pacific Kingdom. tank testing facility.

Wavegen is the owner and operator As well as being first in line to the Wavegen’s team is now waiting to of the world’s first commercial-scale, throne, His Royal Highness, the hear from the visitors. If they believe grid-connected wave power station, Crown Prince Tupouto’a is the owner wave energy is a suitable solution to the LIMPET plant on the island of and chairman of the Shoreline Group, Tonga’s rising energy costs, the next Islay. The tour began with a visit to the Kingdom of Tonga’s electricity step hopefully will be for Wavegen to Wavegen’s offices and wave tank supplier. Along with Soane Ramamlal, conduct feasibility studies in order testing facility. The following day, the the group’s chief executive, and Peter to identify potential locations for group flew to Islay to visit Wavegen’s Goldstern, its development director, development and to assess the wave LIMPET. he is eager to find ways of reducing energy resource and the potential household electricity bills across output. Tonga. For more information: [email protected] Events 2005

Simpase, São Paulo, Brazil Waterpower, Austin, Texas Fuel and Energy Fair, Kiev, Ukraine

An outreach effort was created over the year to additionally focus on communication with customers, partners and engineers within the industry events.

Voith Siemens Hydro São Paulo – Voith Siemens Hydro was proud to be Fuel and Energy Complex of Ukraine besides a series of events from CIGRE an active participant in Waterpower was the third international forum in Ciudad des Leste, Simpase in São XIV, Austin, Texas in July. Also, the for the Ukraine. The fair took place Paulo to Expoman in Belo Horizonte – participation in a DSI Turkey's event, on September 27-30, 2005 and its most prominently participated in the in a fair in Kiev, Ukraine, and in Hydro organizers included the Ministry of Brazilian energy sector entities’ event 2005, Villach, Austria, offered won- Fuel and Energy of Ukraine and the in October in Curitiba, Paraná, at the derful opportunities to spend time International Exhibition Centre in 18th SNPTEE (National Seminar for with important customers and indus- Kiev. Electric Energy Production and try professionals, during company- Transmission). based cultural events. During the second day, a seminar presenting the hydroelectric potential of Ukraine was held. Plans for mod- DSI, Turkey ernization of existing as well as construction of new hydro power plants were discussed.

For more information: Barbara.Fischer-Aupperle@vs-hydro. hypower 12/2005 com 24 25 Essay

The War of Currents

Thomas Alva Edison George Westinghouse Nikola Tesla (1847-1931), was a prolific (1846-1914), (1857-1943), inventor who was issued over American industrialist American inventor. 1,000 patents over his lifetime. and inventor.

When advances are made in science and technology, there is often rivalry between different systems. One example is the veritable contest of giants that broke out toward the end of the penultimate century as a result of two different developmental approaches. It went down in technological history as the “War of Currents”.

The opposing camps were based The trigger was a competition initiat- His conviction had been fundamental- around two brilliant minds of the ed by the New York financial industry. ly defined by a young inventor from time. On one side, the outstanding At the time, it was clear to financiers the Old World. Serbian-born Nikola inventor, Thomas Alva Edison, and and experts that the immense power Tesla stepped onto American soil in on the other, the no less audacious of the Niagara River at the Canadian June 1884. Four years later, he gave a visionary and industrial magnate, border should be used for more than lecture to an audience of experts that George Westinghouse. simply driving machines on its banks. made him world-famous. In it, he But no-one was able to transport the unveiled the sophisticated design of The dispute concerning the system current generated by the river eco- his alternating current motor operated used for supplying the world with nomically and without enormous without wear or mechanical friction electricity had begun some time output losses. An award to the tune and requiring very little maintenance. previously, but historians agree that of 100,000 dollars was thus offered Present in the audience was George the final round of the contest, fought to the person able to fulfill this task. Westinghouse, who was impressed by with unparalleled tenacity, was in Edison was an advocate of direct what Tesla had to say. spring of 1890 on the banks of the current, while Westinghouse believed Niagara. in alternating current. This machine was exactly what But Edison was not about to give up. The big event came in 1895: Westinghouse lacked in his current He prohibited the use of his light The power plant on the Niagara system. He wanted not only to power bulbs in this event. Within a period of opened – a break-through in techno- lighting for domestic homes, but also 20 weeks, Westinghouse had to set logical history. Ten turbines with a to supply power to entire industrial up his own production facilities and total output of 50,000 horsepower plants. Westinghouse’s problem was manufactured some 250,000 bulbs. drove huge alternating current that the principal sectors of industry The light they produced was so amaz- dynamos. The current was stepped were supplied with direct current ing that almost 30 million people up ten times, transported to Buffalo, exclusively. This was Edison’s domain, came to Chicago to see Westing- 36 kilometers away, and again and he and his company then orga- house’s huge carpet of light. stepped down to a lower voltage. nized a campaign against alternating current. It was a triumphant victory. Even the A memorable anecdote for Voith: Niagara commission was impressed. In 1903, Voith was awarded the Edison asserted that high alternating Only alternating current could be used contract to build four spiral twin currents were unavoidably dangerous. to harness the power of the Falls. turbines each with an output of He attempted to introduce legislation Westinghouse received the prize 8,826 kW. Turbines from Heidenheim to restrict transmission voltages to money and the contract to design the were required for expansion and 800 volts, but was unsuccessful. power plant. Nikola Tesla developed output increases during the following He then engaged engineer Harold P. the most powerful generators and year! Brown, who dramatically exhibited turbines the world had ever seen. animals in public in order to kill them with the highly dangerous alternating current before a crowd. The General Electric Tower of Light Generating artificial lighting display at the Columbian Exposition in Nikola Tesla’s laboratory. in Chicago, Illinois, 1893. The conflict took an even more absurd turn when Westinghouse made an ingenious coup in 1893. He convinced the organizers of the World’s Fair in Chicago that his alternating current system would enable him to bathe the city in a sea of light as had never been seen before and hypower 12/2005 was awarded the contract. 26 27 Voith Siemens Hydro Editorial coordination: Power Generation GmbH & Co. KG Barbara Fischer-Aupperle Alexanderstraße 11 89522 Heidenheim/Germany Copyright 2005 Tel. +49 7321 37 68 48 Reproduction permitted, Fax +49 7321 37 78 28 provided source is given.