North America | Carter went on to acknowledge the pioneering
research into polymer bearings carried out in the 1970s by Thordon founder Sandy Thomson, which, he said, presented a new way of reducing the risk of pollution from the widespread use of oil and grease-lubricated bearings. “It was ahead of its time, but the world
Above: MJH900LA8 synchronous generator
projects, including Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and hydropower applications, its modular design allows for flexibility and reliability, while standardised main components streamline maintenance. One of the key advancements of this generator is its enhanced cooling system, which not only improves overall efficiency but also enables higher power density within the same frame size. This breakthrough ensures optimal performance even in the most demanding operating conditions. “We are thrilled to introduce the new generator to the market, representing a significant leap forward in generator technology,” said Andrea Varisco, Sales & Marketing Manager, at Marelli Motori s.r.l. “With its modular design, standardised components, and improved cooling system, this generator offers unparalleled performance and reliability for a wide range of applications.”
Thordon Bearings
Canada’s Ontario business community recognized Thordon Bearings’ commitment to environmental sustainability in May during the prestigious 2024 Business Excellence Awards hosted by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. Thordon was presented with the Chamber’s
coveted Environmental Impact Award for the company’s dedication to long term sustainability and growth, not only reflected in its product range but also the socially responsible way in which the Burlington headquartered company operates. On accepting the award, presented by
representatives from local utility company Burlington Hydro, Thordon’s VP Business Development, Craig Carter, thanked the Awards Committee for its vote, acknowledging the strong environmental commitment of other nominees in the category, namely Cultivated B, and Cogeco. “We are honoured that our peers in the Burlington business community have presented Thordon with this prestigious environmental award. And like many others here this evening, it is our long-held belief that environmental sustainability and climate change can only be fully achieved through technical innovation and engineering.”
24 | June 2024 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
is catching up,” he said. “There is still a lot of work to be done, but more and more industrial sectors are opting for cleaner, more environmentally appropriate water-lubricated and grease-free bearing solutions.” Referring to the amount of annual operational oil that discharges from ships’ propeller shaft bearings – a serious environmental issue long flagged by Thordon – Mr. Carter revealed that effective lobbying has led to the introduction of stringent environmental regulations, particularly in U.S.A., Canada and Polar waters, with many Administrations now calling for the widespread adoption of seawater-lubricated bearing technology. Thordon is also working locally in Ontario with First Nation organizations to develop clean power generating, pollution-free micro hydro- turbines that would reduce the dependency of diesel fuel generators in remote communities. In addition to the development of
environmentally friendly products and solutions, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce judging panel found that Thordon was equally committed to reducing the environmental footprint across its own offices and production plants. “We strive to recycle wherever possible; we
reclaim and reuse metal scrap from machining processes, use energy efficient light bulbs, and even accommodate employees with electric vehicles so they are able to charge them onsite. Our quality procedures are certified to the ISO 9001 standard,” said Carter. Thordon Bearings now exports most of
its products worldwide to over 90 countries, primarily to companies operating in the maritime, offshore, clean power generation, pump and industrial markets.
Victualic
In February 2024, Victaulic, a manufacturer of mechanical pipe joining, fire protection, and flow control solutions, acquired Utility Coatings & Fabrication, Inc. (UCF) located in West Jordan, Utah. The acquisition supports the company’s growth in the Infrastructure, Waterworks, Energy, and Commercial construction markets by increasing capacity for large-diameter piping solutions, fabrication, and coatings and linings capabilities. It is also aligned with the strategy to manufacture these products in the United States. “This acquisition represents Victaulic’s fourth consecutive investment in the last four years, highlighting the company’s strategic vision for ongoing growth,” remarked Rick Bucher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Victaulic. He stated, “Victaulic remains dedicated to meeting
the demands of our North American customer base through the expansion of manufacturing capacity in the western United States.” “This marks an exciting new chapter for our company. We are confident that merging the capabilities of UCF with Victaulic, a globally renowned industry leader, will open up new opportunities for growth and innovation for our collective customers,” said Jeff Dahle, CEO of UCF.
A major aspect of Victaulic’s business strategy has always been to manufacture products in close proximity to our customers. The addition of the UCF business includes over 21,000 square feet of manufacturing space and over 5 acres of land. Since 2011, Victaulic has added over 1.4 million square feet of foundry and manufacturing capacity in North America.
WEG
WEG announced in May it has successfully completed replacement works for the step-up transformers at the Paulo Afonso IV Hydroelectric Power Plant. The energy generated at the Eletrobras Chesf Plant is transmitted through a WEG step-up substation featuring twenty 150MVA transformers each, which elevate the voltage from 18kV to 500kV Eletrobras Chesf contracted WEG, through a bidding process, for the modernization of the Paulo Afonso plant, located in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The plant has a production capacity of 2462MW.
WEG was responsible for supplying and installing the new step-up transformers, as well as the removal and proper disposal of the old equipment, ensuring that the entire process was carried out responsibly and sustainably, in accordance with relevant environmental regulations. The equipment weighs over 100 tons each.
The replacement involved the movement of 40 large-scale pieces of equipment and required a significant joint planning effort. All generator machine shutdowns for transformer replacement needed to be negotiated with the National System Operator (ONS) to minimize energy unavailability.
Following this successful work, the Paulo Afonso IV Hydroelectric Power Plant has been equipped with twenty new single-phase step- up transformers, with a power rating of 150MVA each. These robust devices are designed to
Above: WEG has completed replacement works on transformers at Paulo Afonso
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