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All about hydroelectric developments
Turbines convert the energy of rushing water, steam or wind into mechanical energy to drive an alternator. The alternator then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. In hydroelectric facilities, this combination is called a turbine-generator set, or a generating unit.
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The most commonly used turbine in Hydro-Québec's power system. Water strikes the edge of the runner, pushes the blades and then flows toward the axis of the turbine. It escapes through the draft tube located under the turbine. It was named after James Bicheno Francis (1815-1892), the American engineer who invented the apparatus in 1849. |
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Since they can reach very high rotation speeds, propeller turbines are effective for low heads. Consequently, this type of turbine is suitable for run-of-river power stations. |
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This turbine is used in nuclear and conventional thermal generating stations. Expanding steam pushes the turbine blades, making them rotate, just as the wind turns the blades of a windmill.
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Named after its American inventor, Lester Pelton (1829-1908), this turbine uses spoon-shaped buckets to harness the energy of falling water.
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| A head that's higher than the Eiffel Tower! |
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Austrian engineer Viktor Kaplan (1876-1934) invented this turbine. It's similar to the propeller turbine, except that its blades are adjustable; their position can be set according to the available flow.
