Dr. Børresen has more than 25 years of experience from the hydropower industry. He obtained his doctoral degree in mechanical engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne (EPFL) in 1995 and his M.Sc. from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He has worked with CFD analysis of hydro components and hydraulic design of Francis and reversible pump turbines in Kværner Energy and GE Hydro. From 2005 he was technical leader for the hydropower system engineering team in GE Hydro working amongst other with water hammer calculations, regulating stability and overall hydro power plant system design. From 2007 to 2010 he was technology manager in Rainpower Norway. From 2010 to 2014, as advisor for hydropower production andR&D coordinator in Energy Norway, he has been responsible for collaborative R&D projects related to operation and maintenance of hydropower plant, organizing, and running training courses for Norwegian power companies. Dr. Børresen was the head of the mechanical engineering team in the hydropower department in Multiconsult until September 2019. He is currently working as senior turbine expert.

Abstract: Norwegian development of high head Francis turbines - a brief historic review and some open questions

For more than a century hydro turbines has been one of the key technological developments in Norway. Much of the scientific and academic work was centered at the Hydropower laboratory at NTNU (formerly NTH) in Trondheim. Simultaneously a strong industrial development was centered around Kværner Brug, Oslo. The construction of the Hydropower Laboratory was completed in 1917, and immediately after opening it was put into use for industrial research. The initial work was concentrated on low head power plants and in particular Solbergfoss hydropower plant. However, given the topology of Norway, with high mountains and steep waterfalls, development of high head Francis technology became increasingly important. Over the decades several particular technical solutions and techniques were developed in this collaboration between industry and academia. This invited lecture will present some of these, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.

Given the long historic development of high head Francis turbine technology one might imagine that all questions have been answered and that there are no more topics for future research. This is definitely not the case. Despite the tremendous advances and development, made possible though the use of modern computing tools, advanced laboratory facilities and sophisticated measuring equipment, there are still a number of important open questions. The lecture will close by discussing some of these open questions considered to be most important. Possible avenues for resolving some of these issues will also be listed.

Thorbjørn Hellum-Reppen has more than 23 years of experience from various suppliers in the energy sector, 13 of those in the Hydropower industry. He holds a M.Sc. in mechanical engineering from NTNU and has filled various positions within development, project execution and product management. His currently position is “Head of Products” at Rainpower.

Abstract: Development of the high head Francis turbine

A documentation of the historical technical development of the high head Francis turbine, including the theoretical and empirical development, besides the experiences from the delivery of prototype units. Aspects from the mechanical and hydraulic development as well as production technology, model and prototype development will be presented with special focus on the later years achievements in knowledge to secure stable operation and extended lifetime of the turbine runner.

Andrea Pirocca obtained his M. Sc. in Mechanical Engineering in 2020 at the University of Padova. Before graduating, he spent a period of 8 months in Norway to write his master thesis at NTNU, in the field of numerical simulations of hydrofoils. He works as a mechanical engineer at 45 Engineering S.r.l. His tasks consist in the research and design of hydraulic and non-hydraulic machines

Abstract: Business Opportunities for Young Researchers

45 Engineering is an innovative and young start-up that develops projects in mechanics and hydraulic machines. Our mission is to do mechanical engineering because we like complex systems and energy transformation. Knowing that around the world there are working machines designed by our team is for us the biggest satisfaction. In fact, these considerations make it possible for us to overcome the difficulties to develop a business like ours. We will introduce our company and history, explain how we adapted to market changes and how it is to work in a hydropower-related start-up.

Joakim Gundersen is leading the Dep. for Analysis in Hafslund Eco Vannkraft AS. He has been working with technology development for many years in the company and has been responsible for the design and development of the condition monitoring solution. Joakim is educated as electrical engineer and holds a PhD in Computing Science - doctoral work made in close collaboration with the mining industry in Northern Sweden. He also holds a MBA in strategy and management.

Abstract: Digitalization of the hydropower plants

How maintenance is provided is an important part of meeting the energy markets futuristic demands for higher availability and flexibility. Hafslund Eco Vannkraft (HEV) have a strong focus on moving from calendar-based to condition-based and predictive maintenance. Digitalization of the hydropower plants are crucial to reach this goal. So is also better understanding and knowledge of the mechanism affecting the plants condition and the ability to operate. For the last 6-7 years HEV have developed a CM solution that liberate the operational, continuously data from the controlling systems of the power plants, and combine them with data from other business system. This solution, or platform, allow, e.g., easy access and sharing of data, the use of advanced algorithms like ML and AI in real-time, modelling digital twins and use of 3rd party solutions. Digitalization of hydropower plants with a huge variation in age, size, technical solutions and availability of measurements and data is challenging. Some of these challenges will be addressed and, in special, how to transfer results from leading research to practical use in the industry. That is an important issue for reaching HEV’s vision for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Jens Österud

R&D Program manager

Jens Österud manage the Research & Development program called Hydro power machines within Vattenfall R&D. This team is focusing on the service life of the turbine, generator and auxiliary equipment. Using numerical simulations (e.g. structural mechanics and rotor dynamics) together with experimental work and field measurements at the Vattenfall’s R&D laboratory and production assets, the goal is to identify required properties of future units, extending the service life of existing units and develop methods to assess the remaining service life of Vattenfall’s hydro power machine park. All in regards to the challenges associated with a new energy landscape.

Abstract: Industrial experience and challenges associated with low & medium head hydropower machines in a new energy landscape

The service lifetime of a hydro power machine depends on the operating conditions and the mechanical design. Flexible power consequently reduce the service lifetime of a hydroelectric turbine and generator. Costs related to flexibility is a challenging task to asses considering a hydro fleet with a large number of individual machines with different properties. The keynote speakers will present an industrial perspective of R&D challenges in a new energy landscape.