2019-07-09
Out with the old, in with the new: Voith makes Swiss pumped storage power plant Ritom fit for the future
- New plant replaces existing facility: Voith technology improves capacity and network flexibility of the new power plant
- Swiss Rail (SBB) and the power utility of the canton of Ticino (AET) will be the joint users of the power plant
- Most important energy project of the last 50 years in the Swiss canton of Ticino and one of the most significant investments by SBB south of the Alps
Technically sophisticated project
The four Pelton turbines with a total rated output of 44 MW that are used in the Ritom pumped storage power plant will be replaced by much more powerful generating units in the new facility. To this end, Voith will supply two Pelton 60 MW turbines and a 60 MW storage pump.
The different designs and purposes of the generating units mean that Voith’s engineers have exacting requirements to meet. For example, the first machine unit will supply power for the 16.7 Hz Swiss Rail network and the operation of its trains. The second will feed the electricity it generates into the 50 Hz public grid.
The third unit, a 60 MW capacity storage pump with a delivery head of more than 700 m, will pump the water for reservoir management and to provide balancing power (operating reserve) from the Airolo basin to Lake Ritom. In combination with the turbine, the pump can provide the operating reserve for fast grid regulation and stabilization with maximum flexibility. This means that the new power plant will provide a feed-in reserve/intake balance of 60 MW for the 50Hz Swiss grid. “In addition, the storage pump can be speeded up with the help of the 50 Hz Pelton turbines using back-to-back starting and synchronized with the grid. In this situation the power of the turbine is used to start the pump in the water,” explains Christian Matten, Project Manager at Voith Hydro Europe.
Comprehensive simulations demonstrate benefits
Because of the special importance of this power plant, operator Ritom SA had very stringent design requirements for all components. “As well as conducting transient pressure (water hammer) calculations, we built a comprehensive simulation model for the entire electrical and mechanical scope of supply and carried out corresponding research beforehand,” says Matten.
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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