A new impeller installed at TGC-1's Verkhne-Tulomskaya HPP
On 20 April 2019, a new impeller was installed at hydroelectric generating unit No. 4 of TGC-1's Verkhne-Tulomskaya HPP. Andrey Chibis, Head of Murmansk Oblast, observed as the work progressed.
“This is a new capacity to ensure the operation of the Murmansk Transportation Hub, the new Lavna port, and railway approach roads. This is an essential element of economic development in the oblast. What is more, the energy generated is environmentally safe,” Andrey Chibis noted.
The HPP upgrade project provides for growth in capacity of the hydroelectric generating units without changing the impeller type. A bridge crane helped to move the equipment with a diameter of 4.3 m and a weight of 46 tonnes from the assembly platform to the operation site. The impeller was delivered from the manufacturer to the Verkhne-Tulomskaya HPP already assembled which greatly reduced the time needed for mounting. It was produced and tested at ČKD Blansko Holding, the subsidiary of JSC Tyazhmash in the Czech Republic.
“The new impeller is environmentally friendly. Due to modern polymeric sealing materials and the transition to higher pressure in the regulatory system, the volume of oil will be reduced by a factor of dozens. The valves are designed so that to eliminate the possibility of oil spillage in the water body,” said Vadim Vederchik, Deputy General Director for Capital Construction of TGC-1.
Refurbishment of hydroelectric generating unit No. 4 started on 1 August 2018. The Verkhne-Tulomskaya HPP's upgrade project includes full step-by-step replacement of all hydroelectric generating units, as well as the regulatory, safety control and automation systems of the plant.
Reference
The Verkhne-Tulomskaya HPP is part of the Tuloma and Serebryanskiye HPPs Cascade of TGC-1. This plant is the largest HPP in the North-West of Russia. Four hydroelectric generating units with a capacity of 268 MW have been installed on the Verkhne-Tulomskaya HPP. The HPP's turbine hall is located underground, at a depth of 50 metres.
TGC-1 is a leading producer and supplier of electricity and heat in the North-West of Russia. The Company comprises the electric power plants within four constituent entities of the Russian Federation: St. Petersburg, Republic of Karelia, Leningrad Oblast and Murmansk Oblast.
ČKD Blansko Holding a.s. is a traditional producer and supplier of hydraulic turbines and equipment for power plants. Production of hydraulic turbines started in 1904.