2019-05-16
Dakota County selects Voith to replace 100-year-old turbines at Lake Byllesby Dam
Currently, Lake Byllesby Dam generates enough electricity to power 2,400 homes annually. The redevelopment project, which is expected to be completed by Voith in Spring 2021, will supply energy for another 1,800 homes annually.
“The key to increasing the energy output so significantly is by improving the capture of water flow through modernizing,” explained Stanley J. Kocon, President & CEO, Voith Hydro North America. “For Lake Byllesby Dam and many other sites around North America, modernization of operations and equipment is the most cost-effective option to increase energy output. Working with the Lake Byllesby team, Voith was able to develop an upgrade plan that will benefit the entire Dakota County region.”
The contract calls for the company to provide two new double-regulated, 2.25 megawatt Z-Turbines (commonly also known as Saxo-Type); new controls; generators; and other components that will modernize the small hydro facility as well as improve reliability while reducing operations and maintenance costs. Previous projects at Lake Byllesby Dam – in 2007 and 2015/16 – improved the site’s safety, operations and structural aspects, but this is the first time in the facility’s history that efficiency and energy production will be addressed. The dam is also located close to Lake Byllesby Regional Park which offers a variety of recreational activities for residents such as picnic facilities, event spaces and sports fields.
“With this redevelopment project, the combined plant efficiency will reach 91.3 percent,” said Daniel Olson, Sales Project Manager U.S., Voith Hydro North America. “Our plan for Lake Byllesby Dam features a proven and efficient hydraulic design, efficient generators and double-regulated turbines to match the flow characteristics at the site. It’s an exciting project – we have more than 2,000 customer references for our small hydro equipment – and we’re always eager to help another customer.”
To learn more about Voith’s small hydro capabilities, visit
http://voith.com/corp-en/industry-solutions/hydropower/small-hydro.html.
About the company
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has more than 19,000 employees, sales of € 4.2 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.
More about the Voith Group
The Group Division Voith Hydro is part of the Voith Group and a leading full-line supplier as well as trusted partner for equipping hydropower plants. Voith develops customized, long-term solutions and services for large and small hydro plants all over the world. Its portfolio of products and services covers the entire life cycle and all major components for large and small hydro plants, from generators, turbines, pumps and automation systems, right through to spare parts, maintenance and training services, and digital solutions for intelligent hydropower.
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