In the Sauerbrunn hydropower plant near Graz (Austria), an electric actuator solution from AUMA ensures precise guide vane adjustment of an underwater turbine from Natel Energy. Thus, the actuators make an important contribution to environmentally friendly power generation.
The California-based turbine manufacturer Natel Energy was looking for an actuator solution that can be operated under water, has a high control accuracy to optimally control the water supply to the turbine, and can send feedback signals to the higher-level PLC. Previously, there was only a hydraulic solution for this application.
Use even in case of power failure
AUMA was able to offer an electric actuator solution that meets these requirements and is also more cost-effective. The actuator SARV-UW is designed for permanent underwater use, offers a high positioning accuracy of ≤0.2 % and provides continuous feedback signals to the higher-level PLC controls.
The actuator controls are mounted separately from the actuator above the shaft. This has the additional advantage that the actuator can also be operated on site if the PLC fails. Thanks to the low energy consumption of the SARV, the operator can also use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) as backup in case of power failure.
AUMA's actuators have been operating successfully in Sauerbrunn since autumn 2022. The run-of-river power plant was integrated into the Mühlgang, an existing bypass channel of the River Mur. The operator Energie Steiermark wants to use the 15 kW RHT turbine from Natel Energy to generate environmentally friendly electricity for the community of Großsulz.
