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The Turbines
Natural conditions of water courses is significantly
different. Therefore, every order demands an exclusive solution. WKV uses
four different turbine types to transform hydraulic force into electrical
energy:
- WKV Pelton turbines
- WKV Francis turbines
- WKV Turgo turbines
- WKV Crossflow turbines.
Each of these turbine types is suitable for a specific operation area:
Different output ratings, various head values, highly unsteady watercourses
or high content of floating refuse. In addition, you get WKV speed
controllers, WKV water level controllers and WKV switchboards. Everything
with well-proven technology “made by WKV AG”.
WKV offers much more than the adaptation of turbine and alternator to the
site conditions. For example, a complete range of specific runner speeds
allows a perfect alignment to synchronous alternator speeds.
Common for all products: The first-class quality. In our test laboratory, we
have proved this beyond doubt and so far achieved highest efficiencies.
Since the company was founded, a big part of our profit has been re-invested
into research and development. This makes us the forerunner in the global
minihydro industry. We keep our technological lead only by continuous
development.
Do not buy your turbine plant at a discounter – trust in the
specialist!
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WKV Pelton turbines
If all good things come from (far) above
- Head range from 30 m up to more than 1500 m
- Capacity up to about 20 MW
- Single- double-, four-, five- or six-jet designs available
- Horizontal or vertical shaft arrangements
- Jet deflectors for outstanding dynamic performance
- 2 or 4 bearing gen-set arrangements
- Well suited to sites with significant fluctuations in the water flow
- Developed for use in demanding applications with
- water containing debris
- Optimized jet and runner designs for highest efficiencies
- Nozzle control either electrically or hydraulically
- Runner cast from high grade, extremely wear resistant, stainless steel
- Maintenance free shaft seal design
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WKV Francis Turbine
The all-in-one solution
- Head range up to more than 300 m
- Capacity up to about 20 MW
- Excellent peak efficiency
- High efficiency also at partial water flow
- Compact design and low maintenance requirements by rigorous selection of
best suited materials and proper design 2 or 4 bearing gen-set arrangements
- Bearings rated moderately for more than 100 000 hours of operation
- Guide vane controls electrically or hydraulically
- Runner made of Chrome steel
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WKV Turgo turbines
Effectiveness over a wide range.
- Head range 30 ... 300 m
- Output up to approx. 7.500 kW
- Single or double jet design
- Jet deflectors for outstanding dynamic performance (important on
long pipelines)
- Less sensitive to contamination than Francis turbines
- Flat efficiency curve shows high efficiency also at partial water
flow
- Geometry of stream and runner are optimized for efficiency in WKV’s
own laboratory
- The high specific speed allows using the Turgo principle instead of
multi-jet Pelton turbines or instead of Francis turbines at lower
partial load efficiencies
- Guide vane control electrically or hydraulically
- Runner made of extremely wear-resistant steel- or chrome steel
casting – not indestructible, but not far from it!
- Maintenance-free shaft sealing system
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WKV Crossflow turbines
The economic solution.
- Head range 1.5 m up to approx. 150 m
- Capacity up to 2 000 kW
- A split vane construction allows an almost constant efficiency from
100% down to 17% of rated water discharge
- Significant improvements achieved through targeted research and
development in WKV’s own test laboratories
- Outstanding stiffness of runners
- Cast or welded guide vanes with stainless steel shafts
- Guide vanes controlled electrically or hydraulically
- Easily accessible inspection ports and hatches
- Proven bearing arrangement, designed by WKV, rated for more than 100
000 operating hours
- Economic solution where other turbines prove to be too expensive
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Energy Conversion & Controls
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WKV synchronous alternators
Energy converter on highest level.The
in-house manufacturing of our alternators allows an optimized matching to
the technical- and design requirements of the hydro turbines.
Characteristics of WKV synchronous alternators:
- Rating: Matching the turbine output, up to 22.000 kVA
- Power factor: cos phi 0,8, other values if required
- Voltage: 400 V ...15 kV
- Frequency: 50 Hz / 60 Hz
- Degree of protection: IP 23, IP 44 or higher, adapted to operation
site and conditions
- Design forms: Horizontal or vertical, for elastic coupling to the
turbines or with long shaft and re-inforced bearings for overhung
mounting of the turbine runner
- Bearings: Antifriction or sleeve bearings, optimized for long
life-time and minimum maintenance need
- Electromagnetic layout: Voltage and frequency range will be adapted
to Grid-Codes and/or to various local mains conditions. Concurrently the
machines are optimized for high efficiency in the most economical
operating range.
- Operating principle, voltage control: The alternators are
self-regulating and self-excited, brushless and, except the bearings,
practically maintenance-free.
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Switchgears and process controls
Set out and manage - Switchboards ”Made in
Simonswald“WKV designs and manufactures the complete set of
switchboards and controls in-house, and thus provides a single-point overall
responsibility. Each unit is individually adapted to the client’s standards
and local regulations.
Your advantages:
- Clear and precise arrangements, quick turnaround on design issues,
short deliveries
- Factory testing and inspection of the complete switchboards and
control equipment in our own test facilities
- Erection and commissioning by competent staff Only first-class
components are used
WKV supplies a complete line of equipment from low voltage equipment to
the feeder at medium or high voltage level.
- Conventional control panels
- PLC based controls
- Remote control (SCADA)
- Annunciation and display equipment
- Low voltage switchboards up to 3 500 A
- Medium voltage switchboards up to 36 kV
- High voltage switchboards Transformers
- Allocation metering towards mains operators
- Complete wiring
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WKV control systems
A reliable arrangement.
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Digital/analogue speed governor

This WKV development is unique in the world of controls as it combines the
advantages of both digital and analogue controls.
- Direct display of the main control parameters
- Dynamic PID controls with the option for external noise application ensure
stability even in the case of long penstocks or unstable grids
- Modular 19” rack design for easy implementation and replacement
of components
- Protection against external faults, all I/O circuits are protected against
external short-circuiting and reverse polarity
- Easy adjustment of all main parameters by use of a simple screw driver,
no programming, no software or terminal, no laptop required
- Contact-free speed sensing
- Designed for operation with PLC based controls or a remote control system
- Suited for speed control, output control, discharge or level control,
as well as for double-regulated units (injector/deflector or guide
vanes/runner blades)
- Durable and user-friendly design and technology
- WKV offers a lifelong guarantee for supply of spare parts and services.
- All control units are backwards-compatible!
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Hydraulic devices for speed control and parallel
operation with mains
- WKV offers a complete range of hydraulic power units for control
applications. This includes simple actuators for operation on a grid
(level or discharge control) as well as the most complex applications
involving isolated network or parallel operation.
- Designed for decades of continuous operation – only the best
components are used
- Low-pressure hydraulics for extended service life
- Energy-saving designs
- Typically no high-pressure accumulators that need severe maintenance
- WKV manufactures the complete range of governors in-house – another
benefit to you!
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Mechanical governors and their maintenance
For some applications mechanical governors may provide
significant advantages. WKV offers a full line of such governors
manufactured in-house:
- Robust and well-proven technology
- Completely without electronics – best suited for applications in
remote locations
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WKV level control for parallel operation
- Designed to ensure best possible use of the available water flows
and most economical operation!
- PLC controlled operation to achieve optimum efficiency for multi-jet
impulse turbines as well as for twin-cell Crossflow turbines
- Indication of the intake water level
- Surge-protected water-level sensors provide safe operation even
under adverse environmental conditions
- User friendly adjustment of set points
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Electronic load controller
Designed for small units up to 800
- Designed for small units up to 800 kW supplying isolated loads as
well as for the emergency power supply of grid-connected units.
- Excellent frequency-accuracy even during load acceptance or
rejection
- Heavy duty industrial grade electronics especially designed for
extreme ambient conditions
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Services
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Restoration, renovation and modernizing of existing power
plants
Not everything has to be brand-new.Usually
hydro power plants are operated for many decades until the ravages of time
will require a basic renovation. Accompanying the renovation, mostly a
reasonable improvement in system efficiency is requested. Other power plants
are damaged by natural disaster, systems have to be partly or completely
cleaned, repaired or replaced. Often, special building conditions or
monumental or archaeological protection rules that have to be adhered to can
significantly complicate the work at site.
Our special purpose machinery manufacture covers turbines including control
system, generators and switchboards. By far, WKV is experienced and flexible
enough to refurbish your power plant for a reliable operation over the
coming decades.
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Commissioning, maintenance and service by the
manufacturer
A partnership for life-time.It is obvious
that our commitment to you, our customer, does not end when delivering a
premium product. We offer you a broad worldwide service, starting with
erection and commissioning until regular maintenance of your power plant.
Even the best system can get damaged due to external factors. Never Mind if
in the tropics or in the far North – qualified WKV personnel are available
(not only) in case of emergency but any time to ensure best of service.
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