Grant: Alliance Grants

Hydroelectricity is a reliable and renewable energy source that is vital to Canada's energy transition. The operational flexibility of hydraulic turbines is used to compensate for fluctuating electricity production from intermittent energy sources, such as solar and wind. However, this flexibility impacts the turbine's residual life because they are now required to operate more often in off-design conditions and to undergo more frequent start and stop sequences. Hydraulic turbines' already excellent reliability must be improved to play their role in Canada's energy transition scenarios. With the five-year MD-Francis research program, the Heki Hydropower Innovation Center aims to study the operational impacts of anomalies in the hydraulic channels of Francis turbines to improve their detection and diagnosis. MD-Francis is a joint research effort by the members of the Hydraulic Machine Research Consortium, a partnership started in 2007 which currently includes four universities (Université Laval, Polytechnique Montréal, École de Technologie Supérieure, Polytechnical University of Catalonia) and six industrial partners (Hydro-Québec, Andritz Hydro, GE Vernova, Voith Hydro, EDF, and Vattenfall). MD-Francis focuses on conducting experimental and numerical investigations into anomalies associated with vibrations and high strain levels observed in model-scale Francis turbines. The corresponding model, mirroring a turbine in operation in Canada, is installed on the Heki test platform at Université Laval. It will be modified to replicate specific anomalies, such as runner damage to examine their impact on the fluid-structure dynamics of the turbine. The gathered data will contribute to developing various technologies, including detection and diagnostic strategies for specific anomalies, creation of reduced order models, and simulation techniques to predict the influence of anomalies on fluid-structure interactions affecting the runner. Ultimately, MD-Francis aims to facilitate the integration of predictive maintenance systems in Francis turbines. This should result in minimized maintenance downtimes, enhanced operational flexibility, and a more efficient utilization of this crucial renewable energy source.