Investigation of the fluid-structure dynamics during transient operation of Francis turbines - Tr-FRANCIS

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Hydro-electricity represents 60% of the electricity produced in Canada. In the last 20 years hydro-electricity production has evolved to accommodate market deregulation and the introduction of intermittent energy sources on the power grid. Hydraulic turbines thus saw an increase in the number of start sequences and in the amount of time spent in no-load conditions for spinning reserve. Those changes exacerbated structural problems leading, among other, to fatigue cracks at the trailing edges of the runner blades and consequently to production losses and increased maintenance cost. The Laboratory of Hydraulic Machines (LAMH) form Laval University along with the members of the Consortium on Hydraulic Machines (ANDRITZ Hydro, GE Renewable Energy, VOITH Hydro, EDF and Hydro-Québec) have agreed to undertake the Tr-FRANCIS research project aimed at studying fluid-structure interactions during transient and no-load regimes in Francis turbines. This pre-competitive project, supported also by the InnovÉE grant agency, will provide the R&D departments of the participating industrial partners with knowledge, tools and methodologies to optimize turbine designs or operation in order to increase flexibility without penalizing the machine life. This may in turn ease the integration of new energy sources on the power grid. Through collaboration between researchers in hydrodynamic, fluid-structure interaction and vibration, Tr-FRANCIS main objective is to: "Identify, describe and parametrize, through measurements and simulations, the flow induced excitations influencing the lifetime of medium head Francis turbine runners during start-up sequences and no-load operation." Investigations will focus on a scaled down model turbine representing a 140 MW production unit. Through novel measurements and simulations, Tr-FRANCIS will provide a unique insight into the complex fluid-structure interactions in the most widely installed type of hydro-turbine.