A facility for generating electricity, including a water source and a plurality of penstocks adapted for selective flow communication with the water source for delivering water from the water source to a turbine electricity generator. An electricity distribution system is provided having a first component adapted to deliver electricity generated by the turbine electricity generator to an electric grid and an alternative second component adapted to use the electricity to power an air compressor. A compressed air storage reservoir is provided for storing air compressed by the air compressor, including an outlet for selectively delivering the compressed air to the plurality of penstocks according to a predetermined sequence for providing energy to the water contained in the penstock to propel the water from the penstock to the turbine.

A filter apparatus is used for at least partially removing dirt from a pressurized liquid flow passing therethrough. The filter apparatus includes a harvesting utility for harvesting electrical energy from the liquid flow, and at least part of the harvested electrical energy can be used for powering a cleaning mechanism of the apparatus that periodically cleans the filter apparatus.

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the adjustment of the gating of a hydraulic turbine (1), the turbine (1) is provided with a set of wicket gates (2), wicket gates (2) are moving with a single, conjoined movement between a closing position in which they press against one another and an opening position in which they are apart from one another, by a control ring (4) that is kinematically connected to each one of these wicket gates (2), this control ring (4) being moved in rotation by at least one actuator (3), this actuator (3) including a device (31) for adjusting the travel of its rod (30), the method includes at least the following steps, the turbine (1) is previously stopped and dry and the rod (30) of the actuator (3) is provided with at least one strain gauge: 1) calculating the theoretical force to be applied to the actuator (3) in order to obtain watertight closure of the wicket gates (2); 2) measuring, via the strain gauge, the force applied to the actuator (3), the latter being inoperative; 3) after bringing the actuator (3) online, moving its rod (30) until the wicket gates (2) adopt the closing position and measuring the corresponding force, referred to as the measured force; 4) comparing the measured force with the theoretical force calculated in step 1.

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the adjustment of the gating of a hydraulic turbine (1), the turbine (1) is provided with a set of wicket gates (2), wicket gates (2) are moving with a single, conjoined movement between a closing position in which they press against one another and an opening position in which they are apart from one another, by a control ring (4) that is kinematically connected to each one of these wicket gates (2), this control ring (4) being moved in rotation by at least one actuator (3), this actuator (3) including a device (31) for adjusting the travel of its rod (30), the method includes at least the following steps, the turbine (1) is previously stopped and dry and the rod (30) of the actuator (3) is provided with at least one strain gauge: 1) calculating the theoretical force to be applied to the actuator (3) in order to obtain watertight closure of the wicket gates (2); 2) measuring, via the strain gauge, the force applied to the actuator (3), the latter being inoperative; 3) after bringing the actuator (3) online, moving its rod (30) until the wicket gates (2) adopt the closing position and measuring the corresponding force, referred to as the measured force; 4) comparing the measured force with the theoretical force calculated in step 1.

A hydro-kinetic power generation system is disclosed. The system includes a structure to be positioned in shallow or deep waterways, such as canals and rivers. The structure may be modular, such that the structure may be composed of one or more structural units that are each substantially the same. In various embodiments, each unit includes one or more curved walls for accelerating water through the unit, or through the structure as a whole. In one embodiment, the accelerator walls are curved for optimizing water flow through the structure without generating undue head loss. In certain embodiments, the units may be configured such that the accelerator walls are positioned on opposite sides of the structure, or the accelerator walls may be adjacently positioned. Coupled to the structure are turbines and gear box systems for harnessing energy from the moving water and converting the energy into electric power.

A hydro-kinetic power generation system is disclosed. The system includes a structure to be positioned in shallow or deep waterways, such as canals and rivers. The structure may be modular, such that the structure may be composed of one or more structural units that are each substantially the same. In various embodiments, each unit includes one or more curved walls for accelerating water through the unit, or through the structure as a whole. In one embodiment, the accelerator walls are curved for optimizing water flow through the structure without generating undue head loss. In certain embodiments, the units may be configured such that the accelerator walls are positioned on opposite sides of the structure, or the accelerator walls may be adjacently positioned. Coupled to the structure are turbines and gear box systems for harnessing energy from the moving water and converting the energy into electric power.

A hydroelectric generation system includes a fluid machine disposed in a penstock or channel, a generator driven by the fluid machine, and a control unit configured to generate a predetermined torque in the generator. Fluid flows through the penstock or channel. The penstock or channel has a main path in which the fluid machine is disposed, and a detour disposed in parallel with the main path. The detour includes an on-off valve. The on-off valve is opened when not electrified, and closed when electrified.

A system and method for electrically controlling a submersible hydro-electric production system for avoiding leakage of oil and contaminants used in the existing hydraulic systems. The system comprises one or more submersible electrical actuators operably connected to a gate operating ring which in turn is connected to a plurality of wicket gates in the turbine. Each submersible electrical actuator comprises an electrical motor connected to a push-pull rod which is configured to transform the rotation movement received at a first end thereof to a linear movement at a telescoping end opposite the first end for rotating the gate operating ring to a desired position. The electrical actuator includes a waterproof structure which houses the electrical motor and the push-pull rod and at the same time allows for a telescoping movement of the push-pull rod for rotating the gate operating ring.

A system and method for electrically controlling a submersible hydro-electric production system for avoiding leakage of oil and contaminants used in the existing hydraulic systems. The system comprises one or more submersible electrical actuators operably connected to a gate operating ring which in turn is connected to a plurality of wicket gates in the turbine. Each submersible electrical actuator comprises an electrical motor connected to a push-pull rod which is configured to transform the rotation movement received at a first end thereof to a linear movement at a telescoping end opposite the first end for rotating the gate operating ring to a desired position. The electrical actuator includes a waterproof structure which houses the electrical motor and the push-pull rod and at the same time allows for a telescoping movement of the push-pull rod for rotating the gate operating ring.

The present invention relates to a method allowing short-term prediction of the wave motion (force, elevation, . . . ), from a time series of past wave measurements. The prediction method according to the invention is based on the estimation of the variable coefficients of an autoregressive model while allowing multi-step minimization, that is over a horizon of several time steps in the future, of the prediction error.