The 3MW greenfield hydro project, which is owned by RenoEnergie a.s, utilizes four horizontal Kaplan double regulated PIT turbines from mavel, each with runner diameter of 3000 mm and three runner blades. Mavel also supplied related technology for each generating unit, including gearbox, generator, hydraulic, lubrication and cooling system, cleaning machine, trash racks, electrical and control systems.
The Lovosice site has nominal net head of 1.9m and total flow of 160m3/sec. Martin Sintak, Mavel Commercial Director, noted that the successful commissioning of the project is a significant milestone in confirming the economic potential of sites with relatively low available heads: “We are seeing increased global demand for specialized low head Kaplan turbines. The performance of our KP3000K3 [turbines] at the Lovosice HPP can be replicated at other sites around the world,” he said. “The confirmed performance and associated economic viability at this site paves the way for successful installation of multiple units with minimal excavation at low head projects.”
The project was formally commissioned on 24 September 2010.