A system for controlling the flow of turbined water from a plurality of hydroelectric plants arranged in series along a watercourse with an open channel flow, defining upstream of each plant, a plurality of head races subject respectively to hydraulic flow and level constraints. The flow of water turbined by each of the plants is controlled by a flow setpoint. The system includes regulation of a global electrical production power set-point for the plurality of hydroelectric plants by a flow regulation setpoint taking into account the flow setpoint of each of the plants. The flow regulation setpoint determined by the regulation is weighted for each of the plants by weighting coefficients as a function of the respective hydraulic characteristics of the head plurality of races.

A vessel may be disposed in a body of water. At equilibrium, the water level inside the vessel may be equal to the water level of the body of water. Water may be forced through an outlet from the vessel into the body of water, which decreases the water level inside the vessel. A valve on the outlet may be closed to store the potential energy of the system. When energy is desired, a valve may be opened. Water may flow into the vessel through an inlet, turn a turbine, and generate electricity.

A vessel may be disposed in a body of water. At equilibrium, the water level inside the vessel may be equal to the water level of the body of water. Water may be forced through an outlet from the vessel into the body of water, which decreases the water level inside the vessel. A valve on the outlet may be closed to store the potential energy of the system. When energy is desired, a valve may be opened. Water may flow into the vessel through an inlet, turn a turbine, and generate electricity.

A method and device for determining a suction height of a variable speed unit is provided. The method includes: acquiring a reference cavitation coefficient and a reference specific rotation speed parameter corresponding to a target water head section in a preset number of power stations; conducting calculations on the reference cavitation coefficient and the reference specific rotation speed parameter by utilizing a target scheme to obtain a target formula; acquiring a maximum lift, a minimum lift, a speed variation range and a synchronous rotation speed value of a current target variable speed unit and input force values of the target variable speed unit at a plurality of key working condition points; and determining a target suction height of the target variable speed unit.

A method and device for determining a suction height of a variable speed unit is provided. The method includes: acquiring a reference cavitation coefficient and a reference specific rotation speed parameter corresponding to a target water head section in a preset number of power stations; conducting calculations on the reference cavitation coefficient and the reference specific rotation speed parameter by utilizing a target scheme to obtain a target formula; acquiring a maximum lift, a minimum lift, a speed variation range and a synchronous rotation speed value of a current target variable speed unit and input force values of the target variable speed unit at a plurality of key working condition points; and determining a target suction height of the target variable speed unit.

A system for generating power from a flow of liquid having at most fifty feet of head and a flow rate of at most 300 cubic feet per second, includes: an axial-flow turbine, a penstock, an intake, a generator, and a control circuit. Each blade of the turbine runner is releasably coupled to the hub and each blade: 1) is configured to extract energy from liquid flowing through the runner by rotating the hub when the flow of liquid contacts the blade, and 2) has a pitch that is adjustable. The length of the penstock is adjustable. The generator is operable to generate electric power from rotation of the turbine. The control circuit to determines changes in the flow of liquid and in response modifies at least one of the following: 1) the speed of the axial-flow turbine's hub, and 2) the flow of liquid that the runner receives.

A system for generating power from a flow of liquid having at most fifty feet of head and a flow rate of at most 300 cubic feet per second, includes: an axial-flow turbine, a penstock, an intake, a generator, and a control circuit. Each blade of the turbine runner is releasably coupled to the hub and each blade: 1) is configured to extract energy from liquid flowing through the runner by rotating the hub when the flow of liquid contacts the blade, and 2) has a pitch that is adjustable. The length of the penstock is adjustable. The generator is operable to generate electric power from rotation of the turbine. The control circuit to determines changes in the flow of liquid and in response modifies at least one of the following: 1) the speed of the axial-flow turbine's hub, and 2) the flow of liquid that the runner receives.

The invention concerns a system for controlling the flow of turbined water from a plurality of hydroelectric plants (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) arranged in series along a watercourse with open channel flow, defining upstream of each plant a plurality of head races subject respectively to hydraulic flow and level constraints, said plurality of hydroelectric plants, in which the flow of water turbined by each of said plants is controlled by means of a flow setpoint (QCu.sub.i), said system comprising regulation of a global electrical production power setpoint (Pc) for said plurality of hydroelectric plants by means of a flow regulation setpoint (QRGP) taken into account by the flow setpoint (QC.sub.i) of each of said plants, and in that said flow regulation setpoint (QRGP) determined by said regulation is weighted for each of said plants by means of weighting coefficients (.sub.i) as a function of the respective hydraulic characteristics of the head races defined upstream of said plants.

The invention concerns a system for controlling the flow of turbined water from a plurality of hydroelectric plants (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) arranged in series along a watercourse with open channel flow, defining upstream of each plant a plurality of head races subject respectively to hydraulic flow and level constraints, said plurality of hydroelectric plants, in which the flow of water turbined by each of said plants is controlled by means of a flow setpoint (QCu.sub.i), said system comprising regulation of a global electrical production power setpoint (Pc) for said plurality of hydroelectric plants by means of a flow regulation setpoint (QRGP) taken into account by the flow setpoint (QC.sub.i) of each of said plants, and in that said flow regulation setpoint (QRGP) determined by said regulation is weighted for each of said plants by means of weighting coefficients (.sub.i) as a function of the respective hydraulic characteristics of the head races defined upstream of said plants.

Hydroelectric power generation systems and methods of using such systems are provided. A power generation system includes a reservoir that is at least partially defined by a plurality of precast segments. At least a subset of the precast segments are interconnected via complementary coupling elements. The reservoir is elevated with respect to a fluid supply. The system further includes a flow path providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the fluid supply, a power generation module configured to pump fluid from the fluid supply and into the reservoir via the flow path, and a power conversion module configured to convert kinetic energy of fluid released from the reservoir and travelling through the flow path into electric energy.