PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PUMPED STORAGE POWER PLANTS AT THE KARACAOREN 1-2 POWER PLANTS – GAMA ENERGY PROJECT (2024-Present)
A pre-feasibility report is planned for the development of a pumped storage power plant planned for the Karacaören 1 and Karacaören 2 dam-type cascade hydroelectric power plants operated by GAMA ENERGY. A preliminary assessment will be conducted to identify potential power plant types applicable to the Karacaören 1-2 power plants by investigating pumped storage system types, known applications, and their physical infrastructure. A detailed site survey of the reservoirs and water structures of the Karacaören 1-2 power plants will be conducted, and the mechanical equipment and systems to be installed will be evaluated. The aim is to evaluate suitable pumped storage power plant types based on the data obtained from the site visit and to determine the feasibility study. The aim is to determine the waterways in accordance with this selection and conduct preliminary design and cost analysis.
DETERMINATION OF THE POTENTIAL OF WATER TRANSMISSION LINES FOR A MICRO HEPP PLANT – MUSKI HEPP PROJECT (2024)
The main objectives of the project are to contribute to the green energy transition by generating hydraulic electricity from the energy lost due to friction in pressure-reducing valves in the drinking water network. To establish a container-type power plant within the drinking water network and popularize this idea in our country. To generate electricity for municipalities and agricultural irrigation cooperatives by installing a modular HEPP within the drinking water network, to create a production model. To reduce plant operating costs by utilizing all of the generated energy without transferring it to the transmission or distribution system, thus ensuring that production and consumption are measured at the same point. To operate the plant unmanned using anomaly detection applications using machine learning algorithms, a sub-branch of artificial intelligence, thus reducing operating costs. To utilize sensors that provide high-resolution information in line with the concept of digitalization, and to increase digitalization in the drinking water network. To this end, the project involved identifying potential installation locations for micro-hydroelectric power plants planned for construction at the points where water transmission lines flow into tanks in the Fethiye district of Muğla province. The feasibility study included examining the physical site conditions, analyzing the quantities underlying energy production, determining the amount of energy to be generated, and examining and installing suitable turbine designs. Project costs, energy production gains, and return-on-investment periods were estimated, and a feasibility report summarizing the results of these studies was prepared. The project was completed in 2024.
DEVELOPMENT OF UNMANNED CONTAINER-TYPE HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY FROM DRINKING WATER – IZSU HEPP CONTAINER-TYPE FRANCIS TURBINE PROJECT (2023-Present)
Our country's growing energy needs have made the shift to renewable energy sources more critical than ever. In this regard, the İZSU Hydroelectric Power Plant Container-Type Francis Turbine Project, developed in collaboration with TOBB ETÜ HIDRO, TÜBİTAK, and İZSU, aims to contribute to Türkiye's clean energy transformation by utilizing the energy emitted as heat while maintaining pressure regulation in drinking water lines in line with the city network. The project aims to utilize existing renewable energy potential with advanced technologies and convert it into electricity in an unmanned container-type micro hydroelectric power plant (HPP) with a production capacity of 535 kW. Combining the strengths of industry and academia in line with our country's sustainable energy strategies, this project offers an energy-saving and environmentally friendly energy production system.
Key Project Contributions:
Its minimal and compact design offers easy installation and operational simplicity, enabling rapid commissioning without interrupting the drinking water network,
Its contribution to energy efficiency by increasing the use of renewable energy sources,
Its contribution to the economy by utilizing the idle energy potential in drinking water lines, thereby reducing municipalities' energy costs,
Its development of Turkey's domestic design and production capacity in renewable energy technologies,
Its return on installation costs is achieved more quickly through continuous energy production,
One of the most significant innovations that makes this project unique is the generation of hydroelectric power from the drinking water pipeline. Integrated into the water pipeline, this system also functions as a pressure-reducing valve, generating energy. Furthermore, the project offers significant operational advantages thanks to its unmanned operation, minimal structure, and containerized system, which simplifies field installation. This design allows for easy installation without disrupting the drinking water network and is also notable for its high efficiency. Despite its capacity of 535 kW, its 91.7% efficiency rate represents a significant value for a hydroelectric power plant of this size.
The container-type micro-HPP developed within the project offers an integrated solution with components such as a Francis turbine, speed governor, generator, control, and protection systems. The container housing the turbine is a specially designed unit manufactured by a domestic manufacturer. Its standardized design makes it suitable for use in future hydroelectric power plant projects located on the drinking water pipeline, significantly shortening the design process for these projects. Because it will be located on the drinking water line, critical components that will come into contact with the water are made of stainless steel to avoid contaminating the clean water, and painted parts are coated with special paints that are harmless to human health.
Furthermore, mechanical components have been designed for ease of manufacture to maximize production speed. Wherever possible, except for a few critical technological components, all parts have been procured off-the-shelf from domestic companies. This significantly accelerated the production process, increased the localization of the project, and added value to our country.
Because of its location on the drinking water line, it offers a significant economic advantage by providing energy production throughout the year, unlike conventional hydroelectric power plants that operate dependent on rainfall. This continuity also allows for a shorter recovery of the installation costs compared to conventional hydroelectric power plants.
DEVELOPMENT OF UNMANNED CONTAINER-TYPE HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY FROM DRINKING WATER - DESKI PILOT PROJECT (2022-2024)
The Water Turbine Design and Test Center is participating as a turbine design subcontractor in the "Development of Unmanned Container-Type Hydroelectric Power Plants to Produce Electricity from Drinking Water - Deski Pilot Plant" project. Approximately one-third of the electricity generated in our country comes from hydroelectric sources. Diversifying hydroelectric resources, which are vital for our country in terms of their rank and benefits, and establishing distributed generation facilities with an on-site production-consumption approach will increase the benefits derived from hydroelectricity. In drinking water networks, pressurized water is reduced to low pressure through friction using pressure-reducing mechanisms before entering treatment plants or being delivered to consumers. By replacing these pressure-reducing mechanisms with hydroelectric power plants, electricity generation will be possible in addition to reducing pressure in the water network. By connecting this generation to the distribution grid, electricity will be consumed where it is generated, thus eliminating transmission system losses and mitigating municipalities' high electricity inputs through the revenue generated by these power plants. Unlike traditional power plants, this power plant generates electricity by connecting to the drinking water network. It is housed in a modular, standardized container and operated unmanned using machine learning algorithms and anomaly detection applications. It incorporates sensors that provide high-resolution information and data capacity, aligned with a subset of artificial intelligence and the concept of digitalization.
ASLANTAS HEPP FLOW ANALYSIS USING CFD SERVICE PROCUREMENT PROJECT (2021-2022)
Aslantaş HEPP, one of the EUAS hydroelectric power plants, is a three-unit hydroelectric power plant located on the Ceyhan River, with a total installed capacity of 138 MW. It was commissioned in 1982 and has been in operation since then. The project was completed in 2022, with the aim of increasing efficiency, eliminating cavitation problems, providing suggestions for turbine optimization, and finding solutions to problems encountered in the operation of the power plant.