The EDF Group, a global leader and the largest energy producer in France, has selected IREM as its partner for pico-hydro projects.
A key example of this collaboration is the Banki-type cross-flow turbine-generator unit at the Tré la Tête water intake. This system gathers water from the homonymous glacier of the same name in the Mont Blanc massif, channeling it via the Girotte dam to supply the Passy power station in Haute-Savoie.
The purpose of the project is to provide electrical power for the management of water quality and control systems at a site lacking electrical connection.
For this requirement, IREM proposed the installation of a Banki-type cross-flow turbine-generator unit, the IREM Ecowatt Hydro model TBS, with a horizontal axis, specifically designed for off-grid hydroelectric plants. The system has an electrical output of approximately 4 kW, generated with a 14 m head and a flow rate of 41 l/s.
The design choice aims to maximize the robustness and simplicity of operation of the IREM Ecowatt Hydro model TBS turbine-generator and its accessories, allowing for easy installation even in confined spaces, as in this case, where the turbine-generator unit has been installed within a tunnel carved into the rock.
Another advantage is the simple, functional management and the minimal maintenance required.
The IREM Ecowatt Hydro solution, designed for stand-alone hydroelectric plants, is adaptable to various levels of automation to better meet the specific needs of the installation site.
Starting from the simplest and most common systems, equipped with manually regulated hydroelectric turbines, it is possible to develop fully automated and remotely controlled installations.
To regulate electrical parameters, the IREM Ecowatt Hydro system operates on a constant load principle.
This system, in addition to its very short response time (1/150 of a second), ensures a high level of POWER QUALITY for the connected users.
The needs of stand-alone plants vary significantly based on the type of users and the geographical area in which they are installed.
In many cases, these hydroelectric plants replace existing diesel generation systems, contributing to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
