IEA Implementing Agreement for Hydropower Technologies and Programmes

Annex-2: Small-Scale Hydropower; Subtask B2 "Innovative Technologies for Small-Scale Hydro"

1 Project Title Subject Very Low Head Turbo Generator Attachments and Additional Remarks

Commercial Name VLH (the Very Low Head Turbine)

2 Project Technological Categories 1. Electrical & Mechanical EquipmentClassification Target Categories 12. Expansion of Applicability

Key Categories 121. Low-head turbineKey Words

3 Organizations Funding Organization MJ2 Technologies S.A.S.Development Organization MJ2 Technologies S.A.S.

4 Abstract

5 Technological Performance

Cost Performance

Environmental Performance

6 Scope of Application Basic Specifications

Purpose of Application Profitable Harnessing of Very Low Head sites through cost saving design and high performance Turbo Generator

7 Status of Project Present Status Industrial production

Period 1st Prototype in 2007 more athn 40 machines installed in 2014

8 Results of Application

9 Evaluation Enlargement of Applicability The application is extended to heads of less than 3.4 m that are difficult to be applied by any other turbine types.

Contribution to Cost Reduction

Improvement of Reliability

Mitigation of Environmental Impact The waterwheel is designed to protect fish.

10 References - The Very Low Head Turbo Generator/A New Turbine for Profitable Harnessing of Very Low Head Applications- A new Turbine for Very Low Head Applications/Part #1 : Concept

11 Appendices Fig. 1 Kaplan wheel with 8 blades of Millau (DN4500)Fig.2 Unit Construction ((VLH DN 4500)Fig. 3 Installed VLH (View from upstream)Fig. 4 VLH in working position (View from upstream)Fig 5 Craning of a VLH DN 3550Fig. 6 The VLH in withdraw maintenance positionFig. 7 Turbine Selection Table

12 Inquires Organization / Department MJ2 Tecnologies Address 7049 Gaslamp Walk, Mississauga, Ontario L5W 1A4

Tel: + 1 416 410 4715

Web Site

IEA Annex-2 STB2 Data Sheet about Innovative Technology（121-1）

Low-head Turbine, Variable-speed Turbine, Fish-friendly Turbine, Automatic　Control　System, Integrated Power Generation System,

The VLH Turbine is designed specifically for very low head sites (1.4 to 3.2 meters and up to 4.5 with reinforced structure). The objectives of the designers of the VLH turbine was to develop a unit that requires very few civil work, is easy to install and offers a high degree of reliability at a reasonable cost per installed KW. To achieve these goals, the VLH concept takes a completely different approach from the traditional turbine design, using large runners to practically eliminate the expensive civil structures of the traditional concept. It includes advanced technological characteristics such as Directly driven Permanent Magnet Variable speed Generator. Finally, the VLH offers a very good environmental integration, it is noiseless and submersed, and it has a unique fish friendly capacity.

Features and Advantages

- Fitted for Hydro Power sites with heads lower than 3.2 m and up to 4.5 with customised reinforced structure- Integrated Variable Speed Turbo Generator for Very Low Head sites- Standard Range of product with 5 Turbine Runner Diameter Sizes from 3.15 up to 5 m diameter- Simplified and cost saving Civil Work infrastructure (see figures and pictures in attachments)- Fish Friendly Turbine. Demonstraded after 6 live fish passage tests and one behavioural test of 2 years duration

- Allows Profitable harnessing of very low head sites thanks to optimised reduced Civil Work Costs- High Performances, high efficiency and production capacity thanks to variable speed generation, and high efficency runner performances

- Fish friendly turbine confirmed by tests with living salmons, trouts, carps and eels, very low mortality of fishes migrating through the working turbine.- Height Visual integration, submersed turbogenerator set.- Completely Silent and Vibrationless functioning, can be installed in urban areas.

- Integrated turbo generator for Very low Head sites- Variable Speed Permanent Magnet Generator, Frequency Converter, Computerised Control System, Trash rake Cleaner included, automatic lifting device for maintenance and flood situation, Internet acces

Technological Conditions for Application

Head Range from 1.5 up to 3.4 m Gross head and up to 4.5 m with reinforced structureFlows from 10 up to 27 m3/s per unitOutput from 100 kW up to 500 kW per Unit

Results of Experiments or Demonstration Tests

- Outstanding Performances confirmed on real size prototype of 450 kW Nominal Output- 90 % Turbine Nominal Efficiency- Noiseless and Vibrationless functionning- Complete Homotétie with small size IEC model Test- Can work down to 1/3 of nominal head at nominal efficiency

Results of Sales/Practical Applications

Refer to the "VLH Supply List":- 30 Groups under order in France, and other countries- 40 machines installed in 5 countries in 2014

The costs including the civil engineering work cost can be considerably reduced because civil engineering work have been simplified, and the waterwheel, power generator and dust collector have been integrated into one structure.

The countermeasures for trash removing and flood preventation are well designed. The reliability is ensured with unit low rotating speed by applying a permanent magnet generator and inverter system. However, the further consideration will be required for the countermeasure against driftwood in the stream.

Support for Operation & Maintenance

Maintenance is easy due to not so many parts being composed and good accessibility thanks to the hydraulic lifting device. The trash removing device is integrated, which reduces the trash removal work ratio for the total maintenance work. The countermeasures for trash removing and flood prevention are well designed.

TEL・FAXURL・Email brian.robin@vlh-turbine.com

www.vlh-turbine.com

Fig. 1 Kaplan wheel with 8 blades of a DN 3550

(Wheel with blades closed)(Small scale model)

Fig. 4 VLH in working position(View from upstream)

Fig. 3 Installed VLH(View from upstream) Fig. 6 The VLH in withdrawn maintenance position

Fig. 7 Turbine Selection Table

Fig. 2 Section of VLH DN 4000

Fig. 5 Craning of a VLH DN 3550