Reduced Cost Hydroelectric Maintenance

Project ID: 582
Principal Investigator: Jim DeHaan
Research Topic: Improved Power Generation
Funded Fiscal Years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010
Keywords: None

Research Question

This research project agreement contains intellectual property and therefore this information cannot be displayed here. Intellectual property is information that could be used to create something patentable or licensable if the information is viewed by someone other than the researchers involved with this project. If you wish to obtain more information about this project you must contact the Principal Investigator.

Need and Benefit

This research project agreement contains intellectual property and therefore this information cannot be displayed here. Intellectual property is information that could be used to create something patentable or licensable if the information is viewed by someone other than the researchers involved with this project. If you wish to obtain more information about this project you must contact the Principal Investigator.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Bureau of Reclamation Review

The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.

Generator Power Measurements for Turbine Performance Testing at Bureau of Reclamation Powerplants (interim, PDF, 164KB)
By Mr. James DeHaan and Dave Hulse
Report completed on September 01, 2008

This paper will describe the steps taken to investigate the uncertainty of the flow measurement, electrical power measurement, and generator losses as well as error sources that were found. It also will address methods that can be used to reduce the uncertainty of hydroelectric turbine performance test results by improving the accuracy of these measurements.

Protection System Coordination, Testing, and Maintenance to Comply with NERC Requirements (interim, PDF, 123KB)
By Mr. James DeHaan and Nathan Myers
Report completed on September 01, 2008

Recently, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has issued requirements regarding
protection systems. NERC PRC-001-1 and PRC-005-1 requires utilities to ensure coordination of relay settings and
to develop a protection system maintenance and testing program, including testing intervals. This paper provides
insight into how the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) addressed these new requirements by means of
comprehensive protection system testing from the current and pote

Flexible Magnetic Flux Probe (final, PDF, 118KB)
By Jim DeHaan
Publication completed on September 30, 2010

This bulletin summarizes the research results and potential application to Reclamation's mission.

Machine Condition/Vibration Monitoring (final, PDF, 924KB)
By Jim DeHaan
Publication completed on September 02, 2014

The Hydropower Diagnostics and SCADA Group has been researching and evaluating various machine condition monitoring systems for use in Reclamation hydroplants over the past several years.

It was decided to pursue an in-house written software application.
Main advantages
–This approach allows for in-house expansion and customization of the software.
–Works with a variety of commercially available DAQ equipment

Not Reviewed

The following documents were not reviewed. Statements made in these documents are those of the authors. The findings have not been verified.

Reclamations Role in Integrating Wind Energy (final, PDF, 39KB)
By Jim DeHaan
Report completed on September 01, 2008

Reclamation along with the hydro power industry will have a significant role in the successful integration of wind energy. Wind generation differs from tradition generation in that it is an energy resource that provides very little power system capacity or reserves. Hydro power is the only advantageous and realistic generation available to support wind energy by providing the power system reserves needed to maintain system dependability, stability, and reliability.

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Last Updated: 6/22/20