| 75th Anniversary
Left: Operator training during commissioning of Northwater Hydro Plant, Denver, Colorado
to extract potential energy from pressurized water sources. Energy recovery solutions cater to various applications in the water industry, helping recover lost energy when water pressure needs reduction before use in specific processes. The generated power can either be exported to the grid for revenue generation or used onsite in islanded mode to offset energy costs. Gilkes specialises in manufacturing a variety of turbines that can be tailored to specific sites, effectively harnessing the water’s potential energy and converting it into electricity.
In developing countries and those with rural
landscapes such as Africa, hydro projects are crucial for providing power to communities that previously lacked access. Mini Grid Systems are becoming more common, incorporating various renewable energy sources in a single grid. Small hydro schemes are essential components of these grids due to the ample available resource. Gilkes has extensive experience integrating
hydropower into rural mini grids and islanded applications to supply electricity to isolated communities.
What are your insights and perspectives on the future direction of the hydropower industry? The future of global hydropower development hinges on policy reform and collaboration among various stakeholders. Sharing knowledge among developers, consultants, equipment suppliers, and others is crucial for advancing the industry. Educating policymakers about the benefits of hydropower is essential to ensure its recognition alongside other renewable energy sources.
Small hydropower is environmentally and socially
responsible. These scalable installations offer a quick return on investment and have a long asset life, making them an attractive option for various landscapes and locations. With minimal environmental impact and rapid development timelines, small hydropower
projects can play a significant role in combating climate change. Globally, there is also an increasing need to modernise and optimise aging installations to maintain their lifespan and increase generation. The USA in particular has a number of incentives and grants currently in place to support the future of hydropower facilities. The most recent seeing the selection of 46 hydroelectric projects receiving up to $71.5 million in incentive payments to increase generation efficiency. Gilkes has a great deal of experience in these projects, ranging from single-part replacements or upgrades to the rehabilitations of whole hydro installations back to their optimum working levels, and have recently worked on the Blind Slough refurbishment project in Alaska, who were recipients of some of the funding.
Could you share any strategies or initiatives that your company is pursuing to contribute to the industry’s growth and sustainability? Hydropower turbine technology, along with other core elements like generators and power systems equipment in a hydropower scheme, are established and mature technologies. The industry’s growth areas lie in operations and maintenance of these schemes. Promising advancements include leveraging information communications technology for enhanced remote operation and maintenance capabilities. Utilizing reliability-centered maintenance techniques can help minimize lost generation revenue and reduce operating costs associated with maintaining hydro scheme assets. To enhance industry sustainability, Gilkes strives to offer customers seeking to upgrade hydro schemes solutions that minimize civil works, particularly within the powerhouse. By reusing core components like turbine cases and pipework, the company contributes to waste reduction, lower carbon emissions, and decreased embodied energy. These practices not only benefit the environment but also result in cost savings for customers undergoing modernization projects.
Below: Redesigned guide vane mechanisms for Glen Finglas refurbishment
www.waterpowermagazine.com | May 2024 | 47
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