NORCAN Small Hydro Power Turbine Unit PAT (Pump-As-Turbine) Replacement “Plug & Generate Solution” up to 700 kW (for the same unit footprint) to extend dependably the Life Cycle of your asset with a true hydropower turbine design
NORCAN R&D has developed a relevant and significant game-changer in the small hydro modernization of any existing Pump-As-Turbine (PAT) in need of replacement. The Plug & Generate Solution (PGS) is factory assembled as an integral one-piece unit with Direct-Drive between the turbine and PMG generator (Permanent Magnet Generator). The Direct-Drive removes the weak link in some hydro generating units, the gearbox, drastically increasing dependability and eliminating all lubricant release into the stream from gearbox leakage that PAT is so predisposed to due to mechanical aging. In addition, NORCAN “Plug & Generate Solution” is environmentally friendly to river streams’ health and their ecosystem. They are oil/grease-Free hubs turbines with no gearbox.
PAT Replacement with Novel Simplified NORCAN Technology PSG
Pump-As-Turbine (PAT) is a low-cost alternative to tailor-made design hydro turbines for micro and small hydro projects. However, the nature of their design as an inverted submerged pump to act as a turbine PAT is prone to severe cavitation on their fixed or regulated blades, often requiring new blades or new runners resulting in a reduced life cycle. In addition, the majority of PAT are connected to a planetary gearbox, increasing the risk of low dependability due to gearbox failures. Finally, PAT’s troublesome and fragile planetary gearbox ramifications are oil leaks that end in streams since they are submerged, leading to serious environmental issues.
The typical PAT net head design ranges from 2.5m to 20m (8.20-ft to 65.62-ft), with flows up to 10m³/s (353-CFS)
and power output from 40kW to 700kW(for the same unit footprint).
NORCAN PSG new runner modernization
Typical condition of PAT unit in need of repair or modernization
NORCAN environmentally friendly PAT modernization Plug & Generate Solution is the dependable ideal replacement with enhanced power output with a modern hydraulic geometries turbine runner, increasing kWh annual energy production and maximizing revenue.
NORCAN has already refurbished several PAT turbines and has developed an ideal State-of-the-Art reliable Plug & Generate Solution (PGS) replacement solution with an authentic site-specific small hydroelectric turbine. NORCAN PGS are NOT Pump-As-Turbine. Instead, they are pure hydropower turbine designs.
PAT Replacement with New Site-Specific NORCAN KAPLAN Saxo turbine ( Z-Type KAPLAN) wide-angle exclusive with the same or similar powerhouse footprint
NORCAN Engineering and R&D have developed a relevant and significant solution to replace any existing Pump-As-Turbine (PAT) with a site-specific NORCAN KAPLAN Saxo Turbine (Z-Type KAPLAN) with the same or similar powerhouse footprint. This state-of-the-art solution is based on an innovative NORCAN exclusive “wide-angle” KAPLAN Saxo turbine (Z-Type KAPLAN) to fit in a tight powerhouse footprint due to restrictions in building space, civil costs consideration, or environmental constraints. This innovative solution allows a genuine hydropower site-specific KAPLAN turbine with vastly enhanced power output (superior solution to a PAT modernization) with modern hydraulic geometries turbine runner, increasing kWh annual energy production and maximizing revenue. The innovative NORCAN’s engineered solution has been validated with North Division Street, New York, with a complete PAT replacement with the restrictive constraint of the similar PAT footprint powerhouse. As a result, the NORCAN wide-angle KAPLAN Saxo turbine (Z-Type KAPLAN) increased the maximum power output from 800 kW to 1175 kW, a significant gain of 46.87%. In addition, the NORCAN KAPLAN Saxo turbine (Z-Type KAPLAN) is environmentally friendly to the river streams’ health and ecosystem. They are a lubrication-free solution in the turbine hub.
You can rely on NORCAN to deliver the optimum engineered solution for the most challenging project, ensuring decades of flawless operation with predictive and preventive maintenance maximizing revenue. NORCAN is your value-added partner for your projects delivering validated engineered solutions, best-in-class quality made in Canada for total customer satisfaction.
Short Survey of Selected Sample Projects
North Division Street 1.17 MW, New York 48% Power Output increase
PAT complete replacement with 1 x KAPLAN Saxo turbine (Z-Type KAPLAN) with Generator from 800 kW to 1175 kW + 46.87% gain in power output. New NORCAN KAPLAN Saxo (Z-Type KAPLAN) runner diameter 1500-mm / 59.05-in. NORCAN exclusive “Complex-Angle” KAPLAN Saxo turbine (Z-Type KAPLAN) to fit in a tight powerhouse footprint due to restrictions in building space adjacent to a busy street. This innovative solution allows a genuine hydropower site-specific KAPLAN turbine with vastly enhanced power output (superior solution to a PAT modernization) with modern hydraulic geometries turbine runner, increasing the sustainable annual energy production supporting the climate resilience with decades of dependable operations maximizing revenue. NORCAN scope of work included engineering, R&D, Design, Project Management, Manufacturing of the Turbine, supply of the Generator and W2W, Installation by GRACON LLC, and Commissioning with best quality state-of-the-art made in Canada from core components sourced in Canada and the U.S.A.
