Mini hydropower is nearly endless, ecologically and commercially sustainable
Complete water-to-wire solutions up to 1.2 MW designed and manufactured by Voith.
There is tremendous potential in small hydro sites – thousands of existing low-head hydro sites and underutilized resources waiting for retrofitting or upgrades. Energy recovery, as well as new run-of-river sites, provide outstanding potential. The HyComplete product line represents comprehensive solutions for the sustainable generation of electricity from these resources. Standardized products for individual applications offer an attractive blend of high performance, quality and cost efficiency.
Benefits of Mini Hydro
- Economically viable
- Available globally with benefits for remote communities
- Low environmental footprint and risks
- Easy to operate and to service
- High-quality energy resource
- Long lifetime of power plant
- Sustainable renewable resource with lowest CO2 footprint
Publications
up to 1.2 MW
The right solutions for every application
Run-of-river
Low head hydropower
Energy recovery
Voith is your water-to-wire partner for the whole project duration – and beyond
The HyComplete product range
In many respects Mini Hydro requires smart and innovative as well as holistic concepts to find the best solution for a specific site and save time and cost on all aspects of the project.
eQ Solution – Run-of-river applications
The eQ Solutions comprises simplified, highly standardized turbine-generator units and its auxiliary systems. The system is pre-assembled which allows fast and easy erection at site. With integrated controls and actuators, it provides a compact and reliable water-to-wire system.
eQ Kaplan
Design features
- Vertical Kaplan unit
- Double-regulated (guide vane and runner)
- Directly coupled synchronous generator (gear box as option)
- Highly efficient hydraulic design
- Short erection time due to pre-assembled parts on mounting frame
- Modular and compact concept
Technical Data
- Head range: 2 to 10 m
- Flow range: 2 to 20 m3/s
- Output: Up to 1 000 kW
eQ Francis
Design features
- Horizontal Francis unit
- Single regulation (guide vanes)
- Directly coupled synchronous generator
- High-quality runner technology
- Optimized and standardized steel parts
- Simplification of auxiliary systems
Technical Data
- Head range: 20 to 100 m
- Flow range: 0.5 to 3 m3/s
- Output: Up to 1 200 kW
eQ Pelton
Design features
- Horizontal or vertical Pelton unit
- From 1 to 6 nozzles
- Jet deflector for load rejection
- Directly coupled synchronous generator
- Compact turbine-generator unit
- Simplification of auxiliary systems
Technical Data
- Head range: Up to 350 m
- Flow range: Up to 1 m3/s
- Output: Up to 1 200 kW
StreamDiver – Low head hydropower applications
The StreamDiver provides an industry-wide unique design which allows a simplification of the entire power house design. Lubrication and cooling water systems are not required, actuation systems for control and start-up are reduced to a minimum. A flexible and modular integration into the civil infrastructure, ease of installation and maintenance allow cost savings throughout the project phase.
Design features
- Highly efficient propeller turbine (runner regulation as option)
- Direct-driven permanent magnet synchronous generator
- River-water lubricated bearing design with outstanding lifetime
- Completely oil- and grease-free operation
- Modular design for sites with high flow (parallel generation of multiple units)
- Civil concepts with flexible integration into existing structures
- Additional options such as variable speed and fail-safe stop mechanisms
Technical Data
- Head range: Up to 8 m
- Flow range: Up to 14 m3/s
- Output: Up to 850 kW
PipeRunner – Energy recovery applications
The Voith PipeRunner is designed to provide clean power from industrial water applications (e.g. sewage or drinking water treatment plants). Its focus is flexible integration, easy access and the use of standardized, off-the- shelf componets.
Design features
- Horizontal propeller unit (runner regulation as option)
- Highly standardized tubular design with off-the-shelf generator units (synchronous and asynchronous)
- In-pipe arrangement with high settings allows for easy access
- Special application in drinking and sewage water treatment plants
- Higher heads through serial arrangement
- Higher flow through parallel arrangement
Technical Data
- Head range: Up to 20 m
- Flow range: Up to 4 m3/s
- Output: Up to 250 kW
Automation systems – Low-voltage platform for all HyComplete products
The automation system yields as a standardized low-voltage platform for all HyComplete products. The design concept minimizes complexity by focusing on mandatory systems only. Additional functionality and systems can be added as options to account for local grid codes or customer preferences.
Functions
- Low voltage switchgear assembly
- Unit and line protection and synchronization
- Central plant control (common control functions)
- Automatic voltage regulator (AVR)
- AC/DC auxiliary supply
- Alarm and remote monitoring system
- Additional options for island operation, UPS, variable speed, additional excitation and stand-alone container solutions
- Learn more about automation
HyComplete – The benefits making the difference
Economical
Making projects viable
- Focusing on total cost of ownership
- Innovative, compact and modular designs
- Standardized and pre-assembled systems to shorten project lead and construction time
Simply reliable
Proven technology
- Tested and manufactured according to global Voith standards
- Downsized from state-of-the-art designs
- Long-standing expertise with hundreds of references and a global network
Environmentally friendly
In harmony with nature
- Oil-free designs
- Small and compact solutions for remote areas
- Fish-friendly power house designs
- Sustainable renewable energy source
Have a look at our global experiences
Ijental (Switzerland)
- Vertical eQ Pelton unit with 2 nozzles
- High-head eQ Solutions design (beyond 200 m)
- eQ Solutions design: electrical actuators for nozzles and jet deflector
| Mini Hydro technology | eQ Pelton |
| Commissioning | 2017 |
| Plant output | 348 kW |
| Head range | 282.3 m |
| Flow range | 0,14 m3/s |
| Units | 1 |
Alte Bleiche (Germany)
- Compact power house design – integration into canalized river
- Environmental design – 100% oil-free
- Flow regulation by movable runner blades
- EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) execution by Voith
| Mini Hydro technology | StreamDiver |
| Commissioning | 2017 |
| Plant output | 35 kW |
| Head range | 1.9 m |
| Flow range | 6 m3/s |
| Units | 1 |
Floresti 1 - Unit 3 (Romania)
- Horizontal eQ Francis unit
- Low-head Francis unit
- Complete water-to-wire supply from Voith (mechanical and electrical scope)
| Mini Hydro technology | eQ Francis |
| Commissioning | 2015 |
| Plant output | 761 kW |
| Head range | 30.7 m |
| Flow range | 3 m3/s |
| Units | 1 |
Egasaki (Japan)
- Complete electromechanical equipment
- Connection integrated into existing system
- Propeller units (non-regulated) in serial arrangement
- Low voltage protection and control equipment
| Mini Hydro technology | PipeRunner |
| Commissioning | 2003 |
| Plant output | 80 kW |
| Head range | 14 m |
| Flow range | 0.7 m3/s |
| Units | 2 |
Bruksfors (Sweden)
- Oil-free, environmentally friendly solution in sensitive region
- Fast delivery in 8 months
- Full integration into existing automation infrastructure
- Low maintenance solution
| Mini Hydro technology | StreamDiver |
| Commissioning | 2015 |
| Plant output | 250 kW |
| Head range | 4.7 m |
| Flow range | 6 m3/s |
| Units | 1 |
Babino Polje (Montenegro)
- High head turbine-generator with auxillaries
- 3 and 6 nozzle vertical Pelton
- Pelton turbine without jet deflector
| Mini Hydro technology | eQ Pelton |
| Commissioning | 2017 |
| Plant output | 2 258 kW |
| Head range | 186 m and 174 m |
| Flow range | 1 m3/s and 0.4 m3/s |
| Units | 2 |
Your contact for Mini Hydro solutions – how can we help you?
The Voith network of experts makes a difference
Small hydropower plants by Voith are sophisticated and reliable solutions for a sustainable energy supply. Our experts at Voith are here to accompany you from the selection of products to the start of operation all the way to the maintenance and modernization.
Learn more about Small Hydro
For nearly 150 years, Voith Hydro has developed, built and installed hydraulic machines for the development of hydropower. During this time, we have contributed significantly to the advancement of many types of turbines. Thousands of installed hydropower plants worldwide were provided with our hydraulic machines.
Learn more about Turbines
Maintaining the maximum efficiency of your system is our goal – which is why we offer individual, affordable service solutions. Whether for regular maintenance or emergencies: our HyService Team is available around the world, day and night.
Learn more about Voith HyService
Hydropower plants are systems that last for generations. That’s why modernization is one of our key business areas. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, performance and energy yield can be significantly increased. That also benefits the environment.
Learn more about modernization