This method allows determining the operating point of a hydraulic machine in a considered operating range, such as turbine mode, and comprises steps that consist in a) determining two coordinates (N11, T11) of a first series of potential operating points of the hydraulic machine for the orientation affected to guide vanes of the machine, b) measuring the rotation speed of the machine, and c) determining the torque exerted by water flow on the machine. The method further includes steps consisting in d) calculating two coordinates (N11, T11) of a second series of potential operating points of the machine in function of the rotation speed (N) measured at step b) and the torque determined at step c), and e) deducing the two coordinates (N11_real, T11_real) of operating point that belongs both to the first and the second series in the said considered operating range of the machine.

This method allows determining the operating point of a hydraulic machine in a considered operating range, such as turbine mode, and comprises steps that consist in a) determining two coordinates (N11, T11) of a first series of potential operating points of the hydraulic machine for the orientation affected to guide vanes of the machine, b) measuring the rotation speed of the machine, and c) determining the torque exerted by water flow on the machine. The method further includes steps consisting in d) calculating two coordinates (N11, T11) of a second series of potential operating points of the machine in function of the rotation speed (N) measured at step b) and the torque determined at step c), and e) deducing the two coordinates (N11_real, T11_real) of operating point that belongs both to the first and the second series in the said considered operating range of the machine.

This method is for orientating the blades (40) of a turbine (4) past a non-reachable range of positions (1, 2) in a power plant (2), said blades (40) being rotatable around orientation axes (X40) distinct from a rotation axis (X) of the turbine (4), the turbine (4) comprising means (42, 44, 46) for orientating the blades (40), said means being adapted to exert an adjustable torque on the blades (40). The method comprises steps consisting in a) stopping the energy production of the turbine (4), b) setting a water flow which runs the turbine (4) to a value inferior to a normal energy production value, c) rotating the turbine (4) in a motor mode using energy from a grid, d) adjusting the torque delivered by the means for orientating the blades (40) to a reduced value while the turbine (4) is still rotating, so that the blades (40) are free to rotate around their orientation axes (X40), under action of a hydraulic torque exerted by the water, past the non-reachable range of positions, e) once the blades (40) have overcome the non-reachable range of positions, adjusting the torque delivered by the means for orientating the blades (40) to a normal value superior to the reduced value, so that the rotation of the blades (40) around their orientation axis (X40) is stopped in a determined position.

This method is for orientating the blades (40) of a turbine (4) past a non-reachable range of positions (1, 2) in a power plant (2), said blades (40) being rotatable around orientation axes (X40) distinct from a rotation axis (X) of the turbine (4), the turbine (4) comprising means (42, 44, 46) for orientating the blades (40), said means being adapted to exert an adjustable torque on the blades (40). The method comprises steps consisting in a) stopping the energy production of the turbine (4), b) setting a water flow which runs the turbine (4) to a value inferior to a normal energy production value, c) rotating the turbine (4) in a motor mode using energy from a grid, d) adjusting the torque delivered by the means for orientating the blades (40) to a reduced value while the turbine (4) is still rotating, so that the blades (40) are free to rotate around their orientation axes (X40), under action of a hydraulic torque exerted by the water, past the non-reachable range of positions, e) once the blades (40) have overcome the non-reachable range of positions, adjusting the torque delivered by the means for orientating the blades (40) to a normal value superior to the reduced value, so that the rotation of the blades (40) around their orientation axis (X40) is stopped in a determined position.

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 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 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 computer-implemented method of closed-loop dissolved oxygen monitoring and control at a hydroelectric plant includes: regulating at least one aeration valve coupled to a turbine using pattern recognition; wherein a target parameter for the regulating is a dissolved oxygen concentration of water downstream of the hydroelectric plant. The dissolved oxygen concentration may be at least 5.0 milligrams per liter. The pattern recognition may be performed using a neural network.

A computer-implemented method of closed-loop dissolved oxygen monitoring and control at a hydroelectric plant includes: regulating at least one aeration valve coupled to a turbine using pattern recognition; wherein a target parameter for the regulating is a dissolved oxygen concentration of water downstream of the hydroelectric plant. The dissolved oxygen concentration may be at least 5.0 milligrams per liter. The pattern recognition may be performed using a neural network.

When it is not possible for a power generation device to operate coupled to an electric power system, an autonomous operation of connection and disconnection of a load of the power generation device is performed along an efficiency-characteristics curve within a speed range from a rated speed to a maximum speed in the efficiency-characteristics curve of an energy source. During the autonomous operation, an aperture command is outputted to an inlet valve of a water turbine and a first converter is operated in a converter mode when an operation preparation command is outputted by a control unit, a second converter is operated in an inverter mode when a voltage is established by of a DC linkage unit, and the load is connected when the operation preparation is completed.