Hydro Power
Hydro power is a dependable power generation method with plants typically only requiring very long intervals between major inspections. The size of a hydro plant can vary from a few kW up to 1,000 MW per unit and there are three main types of design:
- Impoundment: Dams store water in a reservoir and the stored energy can be released on demand, for example the Hoover Dam.
- Diversion: Run of the river water is diverted to pass through a turbine which is less costly and less intrusive to the local environment.
- Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH): A penstock and turbine hall connects two reservoirs. Water can be pumped from the lower reservoir to the top reservoir during low-demand periods so that it is ready to be used when needed.
Each design is robust and due to the relatively low rotational speeds of 80 to a few hundred rpm, the stresses can be low. This results in a long service life with some hydro plants operating successfully for close to a hundred years.
These three main systems have been around for centuries, but two newer technologies are emerging:
- Wave power: the energy from waves is captured by a tethered, floating plant of various designs (e.g. 'snakes', 'clamshells', 'ducks'), converted to electrical energy and fed back to shore via cables.
- Tidal currents: in a similar way to the diversion type, tidal currents, often strongest where water is forced through an obstruction, are used to drive a tethered, sub-sea turbine. These turbines only have to be a fraction of the size of wind turbines to generate the same output due to the much higher density of water versus air.
Although these are innovative concepts, the technology within each machine is standard, consisting of turbines, hydraulics, and generators, all of which Hawkins has full expertise in.
WHY APPOINT A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR?
Hawkins forensic investigators have completed numerous investigation into hydro power plant failures.
Major inspection intervals can be long, typically 25 years, so a station engineer may be involved in at most, two major inspections in their career depending on the number of units at the facility. Our experts are familiar with the different components of each type of plant and have the experience to complete an assessment that the operating team may not have.
Problems are often a result of ingestion of debris which causes impact damage. Issues can also arise due to the age of the units. During inspection, several defects may be identified which a repair shop may try to repair.
Hawkins has found that many of these are casting defects and can be related to original manufacturer defects which have not propagated and are therefore dormant. In some cases, the defect can be tolerated and undertaking a repair can generate further cracking due to the age of the components and the materials not being as clean as modern-grade steels.
Having an experienced investigator on the team can reduce the risk of repair vendors rushing into repairs that are not required.
Examples of Typical cases
The list below provides a few examples of the types of incidents we regularly investigate or have experience with:
- Wicket gate failures
- Penstock degradation/condition assessment
- Generator failures
- Bearing failures
- Pressure problems, such as too high or too low pressure or ‘water hammer’ issues.
If you would like to discuss how we can assist you please fill out our enquiry form or call us for a free consultation.
HOW DOES HAWKINS INVESTIGATE HYDRO POWER PLANT FAILURES?
When Hawkins is requested to investigate an issue we employ in-house methodology built from over 40 years of experience. This enables all Hawkins investigators to provide a consistency of service and product. The methodology comprises three steps:
1
Consultation
On receipt of the enquiry, we discuss with the instructing party what happened, when it happened and request a suite of data covering the operation and maintenance of the asset during its operating life. This collected data may include video coverage showing the operating conditions present in the plant prior to, and during the event. We also interview personnel who were present at the time of the event to get an insight into the timeline of events before, during and after the event.
2
Inspection
Following collection of all the data and completion of the consultation, Hawkins engineers will visit the site or repair shop to inspect the asset. This will enable us to assess the extent of the damage and identify the source of the failure. This step can be completed on-site or may require samples to be removed and examined in one of Hawkins’ laboratories.
3
REPORTING
On completion of the inspection, a detailed report will be issued summarising the work completed and the findings of the investigation. This can include advice on operational and inspection changes to implement to minimise future events if relevant.
SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR EXPERTS
Testimonial
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Rhys Phillips
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Chaz Winterton
“I just wanted to say thank you for all your help and the information you found was of real insight. Thank you again for all your help.”
Stewart Hargreaves
“I just wanted to say thank you for all of your hard work preparing the Hawkins report. Please pass on my thanks to the rest of the team. We really appreciate the hours you have all put in and I know the client is pleased with your work.”
Philippa Jones
Related areas of expertise
Power & Energy
Hawkins' power experts have experience of forensically investigating losses worldwide on a wide range of power generation equipment from traditional thermal and nuclear power plants through to wind, hydro and solar generation as well as emerging technologies such as battery and flywheel installations.
Drains, Sewers & Septic Tanks
Few of us like to think too much about how wastewater or surface water run-off from their home, workplace or business gets to a place of treatment and/or safe disposal to the environment. But, when the infrastructure that either transports or treats this water fails, the resultant problems can be unpleasant, costly to rectify and damaging to the environment.
Flooding & Hydrology
Flooding is the most significant disaster risk in the UK. Flooding is estimated to cost the economy about £1 billion per year. More frequent, more intense storms resulting from climate change, and inappropriate developments in floodplains will put more people and property at risk in the future and will increase the impact of flooding. It is projected that the annual cost of flooding could be up to four times higher by the end of the century.
Chemical & Process Engineering
Chemical Engineering and Process Engineering are essentially interchangeable terms, whether it is engineering chemistry to make a desired product on the industrial scale for example a pharmaceutical drug or a beer or simply process materials for some beneficial purpose for example in water treatment or renewable power generation.
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