FRANCIS Turbine Camelback, FRANCIS Turbine Triple Camelback, FRANCIS Turbine Quad Camelback, and FRANCIS Turbine Six-Plex Camelback
NORCAN is the new FRANCIS Turbine Camelback technology leader in brownfield modernization, providing a significant increase in power output and sustainable annual energy production. The new NORCAN design on FRANCIS Turbine Camelback includes modern hydraulic geometries for the runners, with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies. The typical FRANCIS Turbine Camelback modernization may increase the output between 15% to 20% with the same rated head and rated flows without the civil work capital investment requirement. At the same time, due to the historical classification of the powerhouse, in some cases keeping the same inlet and draft tube may avoid the civil cost. NORCAN R&D in-house Computational Fluid Dynamics CFD, FEA, and FMEA engineers collaborate with one of Europe's top turbine hydraulic fluid machinery dynamic laboratories supporting NORCAN in Austria. Numerical Simulation is successfully applied with CFD, FMEA from the laboratory research analysis on homologous runners on physical test rig experimental trials from our turbine hydraulic fluid lab cooperation in Austria for acceptance and approval. Test according to IEC 60193, ISO 9906, IEC 60534.
New State of the Art High-Performance NORCAN FRANCIS Turbine Camelback with new Modern Runners Hydraulic Geometries and new Runners Pressure Casing design with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates Regulation with Optimized Installation Costs Saving Solution.
The decision drivers for hydropower plant owners like "institutional," governments, municipalities, IPP’s to modernize or upgrade those 100+ years old FRANCIS Turbine Camelbacks vs. new KAPLAN Turbine only for refurbishment or modernization projects are:
- The existing powerhouse is often of historical value. You can’t move or change the walls or the roof of these powerhouses or execute any significant civil work inside or outside to install a new KAPLAN turbine.
- Civil construction, excavation, and equipment costs for new KAPLAN Turbine (Eco-Bulbs, S-Type, Vertical or Horizontal KAPLAN turbine, Pit-Turbine, Saxo KAPLAN /Z-Type KAPLAN, Semi-KAPLAN) are proven too expensive for some modernization’s projects from the owner’s financial perspective even with long-term considerations.
- Civil construction isn’t allowed due to environmental considerations. Some powerhouses have been in operation for over 100 years. Consequently, they must keep the same powerhouse and generating equipment footprint, including the inlet and outlet.
- Downtime associated with new KAPLAN Turbine development being off-line for a year or more results in too much revenue loss for the owners.
- Keeping the same FRANCIS Camelback design with modernized runner hydraulic geometries will not change the intake and draft tubes’ flow pattern while providing a significant increase in the power output up to 20% with an excellent ROI perspective for the owner. The modernization of the same turbine type will extend the life-cycle of their asset for decades of dependable operations.
- New KAPLAN Turbine with significantly increased power output might force the owners to change/update their license, which is often a costly undertaking with no guarantee of approval through the regulatory processes or it can simply taking too long.
- Lower *PPA values push the owners to find the best ratio between ROI, increase power output in order to maximize revenue of their existing asset with a competitive capital investment for the modernization. The choice is clear the FRANCIS Turbine Camelback modernization instead of KAPLAN Turbine with limited to no civil work cost. (*Power Purchase Agreement)
Short Survey of Selected Sample Projects
Chaudière Falls GS2 - 12 MW, Québec
Modernization 3 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Quad Camelback with Wicket Gates regulation runners Ø 64-in (1320-mm) 164 RPM 2 x 1MW + 2 x 1 MW = 4MW per shaft line x 3 units = 12 MW with NORCAN modern hydraulic geometries for more power output with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies significantly increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of the Turbines, dismantling, installation and commissioning, best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A.
Bonny Eagle 2 MW, Maine
Modernization with 1 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Camelback with Wicket Gates regulation runners Ø 52-in (1320-mm) 240 RPM 2 x 1.96MW with NORCAN modern hydraulic geometries for more power output with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies significantly increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of the Turbine, dismantling, installation, and commissioning, best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A. The Brookfield's Bonny Falls project of 2.0 MW, Maine, was awarded a Low Impact Hydropower Institute certificate # 182. NORCAN is privileged, proud, and honored to have been part of this significant sustainable project modernization with NORCAN high-performance generating units ensuring decades of sustainable dependable operations. In addition, the LIHI certificate exemplifies that Brookfield is a proven good steward of the environment and demonstrates that hydropower is an essential part of mitigating climate change and supporting climate resilience.
Chaudière Falls 1 & 4 - 7.2 MW, Québec
Modernization with 4 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Camelback with Wicket Gates regulation 8 runners Ø 60-in (1520-mm) 180 RPM 1800 kW x 4 units MW with NORCAN modern hydraulic geometries for more power output with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies significantly increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of the Turbines, installation and commissioning, best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A.
Otter Creek Huntington Falls 2.5 MW
NORCAN completed the successful design, engineering, manufacturing of the 2.5 MW Installed Capacity modernization of a Brownfield project with 2 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Camelback 1200 kW + 1320 kW 300 RPM ∅ 40.63-in (1032 mm). Turbine, Generators supply delivering more power output increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of Turbines, supply of Balance of Plant, Generators, W2W, dismantling, installation and commissioning, best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A.
Sturgeon Falls 3 & 7 - 3.8 MW, Ontario
Modernization with 2 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Camelback with Wicket Gates regulation runners Ø 52-in (1320-mm) 240 RPM 2 x 1.9 MW = 3.8MW with NORCAN modern hydraulic geometries for more power output with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies significantly increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of the Turbines, dismantling, installation and commissioning, best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A.
Saint Raphael Unit 1 & 2 - 2.8 MW, Québec
Runner modernization with 2 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Camelback runners Ø 60-in (1520-mm) 180 RPM 1400 kW 2.8 MW total with NORCAN modern hydraulic geometries for more power output with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies significantly increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of the Turbines, dismantling, installation and commissioning, best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A.
Mc Vittie U1 & U2 - 3 MW, Ontario
Modernization 2 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Camelback with Wicket Gates regulation runners Ø 50-in (1270-1270-mm) 257 RPM 2 x 1500 kW = 3 MW with NORCAN modern hydraulic geometries for more power output with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies significantly increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of Turbines, dismantling, installation and commissioning, best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A.
Weedon G1 & G2 - 3.2 MW, Québec
Modernization with 2 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Camelback with Wicket Gates regulation runners Ø 56-in (1420-mm) 225 RPM 2 x 1600 kW = 3.2MW with NORCAN modern hydraulic geometries for more power output with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies significantly increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of the Turbines, dismantling, installation and commissioning, best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A.
Beldens G2 - 1.1 MW, Vermont
Modernization with 1 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Camelback with Wicket Gates regulation runners Ø 41-in (1040-mm) 300 RPM 1150 kW with NORCAN modern hydraulic geometries for more power output with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies significantly increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of the Turbine, dismantling, installation and commissioning, Best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A. Breaking News In January 2021, the Green Mountain Power (GMP) Otter Creek Belden Falls project 1.1 MW, Vermont, was awarded a Low Impact Hydropower Institute certificate number 128. NORCAN is privileged, proud, and honored to have been part of this significant sustainable project modernization with NORCAN high-performance generating units ensuring decades of sustainable dependable operations. In addition, the LIHI certificate exemplifies that Green Mountain Power is a proven good steward of the environment and demonstrates that hydropower is an essential part of mitigating climate change and supporting climate resilience.
Abenaquis 1.27 MW, Québec
Modernization with 1 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Camelback with Wicket Gates regulation runners Ø 35.6-in (905-mm) 360 RPM 1275 kW with NORCAN modern hydraulic geometries for more power output with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies significantly increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of the Turbine, dismantling, installation and commissioning, Best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A.
Little Falls Units 5 & 6 - 1.14 MW, Minnesota
Modernization with 2 x new NORCAN FRANCIS Camelback with Wicket Gates regulation runners Ø 45-in (1140-mm) 225 RPM 573 kW with NORCAN modern hydraulic geometries for more power output with NORCAN Exclusive Wicket Gates regulation with enhanced casing geometries for top efficiencies significantly increasing the annual energy production for a sustainable future supporting building climate resilience while maximizing the power plant revenue for decades of dependable operations. NORCAN scope of supply Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Fabrication of the Turbine, dismantling, installation and commissioning, Best quality made in Canada with core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A.
