Technology & equipment | This development follows closely on the heels of
RheEnergise’s recent agreement with British energy company Mercia Power Response, aimed at exploring the feasibility of deploying 100MW of HD Hydro into commercial operation by 2030. The strategic use of Mercia’s existing grid connections in the UK is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving this ambitious goal. Stephen Crosher, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RheEnergise, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration with HPE, stating: “The placing of our order with HPE is an important milestone in our efforts to deliver our demonstrator project. The expansion of the long duration energy sector, and using new technologies like our HD Hydro storage system, is vital as the UK and other countries are placing a greater reliance on wind and solar to meet their future energy needs and to achieve Net Zero.” Caglar Cinar of Hydropower Engineering (HPE) added, “We are excited to be given the opportunity to work with RheEnergise in a new and innovative part of the international hydro sector. Given that their HD Hydro system can be deployed in many more locations than conventional forms of hydro, and quickly too, we see our turbine order from RheEnergise as a first of many. RheEnergsie’s HD Hydro offers a major business growth opportunity for HPE.”
Modernization project Fortum has unveiled an ambitious plan to breathe new
life into the Untra hydropower plant, a historic facility dating back to 1911. With an investment exceeding SEK 700 million (over €60 million) earmarked for the period 2023-2030, Fortum is setting its sights on revitalizing one of Sweden’s oldest hydropower plants. This substantial commitment forms part of Fortum’s
Below: Zungeru hydropower plant in Nigeria Image courtesy of CNEEC
strategic endeavors aimed at delivering reliable, clean energy and catalyzing the decarbonization of industries in the Nordics. Mikael Lemström, Executive Vice President of Hydro Generation at Fortum, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating: “The construction of the Untra power plant had a significant impact on the first wave of electrification and today electricity is once more driving our transformation to Net Zero. Hydropower, known for its adaptability and extensive energy storage capabilities, continues to play an important role in our power infrastructure. As a result, investments of this nature are essential to ensure that hydropower maintains its position as a fundamental pillar of the Nordic’s carbon-neutral electricity production.”
The Untra Hydropower Plant, boasting a current output of 42MW, is set to undergo a comprehensive renovation. This includes the replacement of three turbine units and a substantial restructuring of the power plant, all aimed at enhancing Untra’s ability to provide flexibility to the power system and to deliver fossil-free electricity to Sweden. Thanks to the deployment of advanced turbine technology, annual electricity production is projected to increase from 270GWh to approximately 300GWh. Untra, initially constructed with the goal of powering the entire city of Stockholm with electricity, played a pivotal role in electrifying the Swedish capital during the last century. Despite the rapidly growing demand for electricity in the capital, which exceeded Untra’s capacity in less than eight years, the power plant has retained its significance within the Swedish power system.
Made in America In a vote of confidence for the future of US
hydropower, Voith Hydro has made several recent investments in its flagship North American manufacturing facility in York, Pa. This new, state-of- the-art machinery and equipment includes a Pietro Carnaghi AP 120 TM Vertical Turning Lathe (VTL) and a PAMA Speedram 3000 Horizontal Boring and Milling Machine (HBM). The machine upgrades will result in increased production capacity, improved product quality, increased energy efficiency, greater tool life, reduced downtime, reduced waste, and enhanced worker safety. Voith Hydro is making these investments as part of its continued commitment to serving customers in North America and around the world. The retooling of Voith Hydro’s facility is occurring during a period of historic investments in Clean Energy resulting from the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act. “Voith Hydro’s US manufacturing roots date back
more than 145 years, and we are excited about this next chapter for our company,” Stanley Kocon, President and CEO of Voith Hydro North America. “We can and should make the products that power America right here in America, in places like York, Pennsylvania. The latest investments in our state-of- the-art manufacturing facility will be instrumental in building the next generation of hydropower turbines and hydro pumped storage machines needed to meet our Nation’s ambitious climate and job-creation goals.” These investments qualify as Advanced Energy
Property under section 48C of the Internal Revenue Code, making them eligible for a potential tax credit to offset a portion of the costs of these investments in U.S. renewable energy equipment manufacturing. In addition to the 48C program, as a U.S.-based manufacturer, hydropower and pumped storage hydropower projects utilizing Voith technology manufactured in the U.S. may also qualify for an additional 10% domestic content bonus, on top of other incentives and credits for building clean energy infrastructure. Voith Hydro plans to place the new VTL and HBM
into service by September 2024. The HBM adds new machining capabilities to an already diverse manufacturing footprint and the new VTL will be the second VTL deployed in York in the last five years. In 2019, Voith Hydro completed the installation of a VTL capable of machining turbines or runners weighing up to 200 tons.
24 | November 2023 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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