Russian supplier installs final generator at 6,400-MW Sayano-Shushenskaya hydro project

Russian equipment manufacturer Power Machines reports it completed installation of a final giant generator rotor at the 6,400-MW Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric project in Siberia.

Power Machines signed a US$371.4 million contract with project owner RusHydro JSC in November 2009 providing for 10 hydropower turbines and nine generators with a capacity of 640 MW each as well as six excitation systems. Power Machines also is providing installation, supervision services, and commissioning of the equipment.

The Russian supplier said October 1 it installed the heaviest component for the project, a 900-ton generator rotor, in Sayano-Shushenskaya’s Unit 2. After connecting all rotating components and checking their parameters, the firm will proceed to repair the unit for commissioning and startup.

Currently there are nine new units in service at Sayano-Shushenskaya, with Units 3 and 4 being put into service this year.

Power Machines said breakdown of Unit 2 was the cause of an August 2009 accident at the project. An explosion caused the turbine room to flood, killing 71 people and destroying three of the project’s 10 turbine-generators.

The unit that sustained the most damage, Unit 2 is to be the last unit commissioned, expected by the end of the year.

Turbines are being equipped with an advanced process protection system that automatically shuts down the unit if any unacceptable performance deviations occur in monitored parameters.

wind turbines in front of an orange sunset

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