Stanley-Adamson: The first industrial size variable speed compact hydro project worldwide

Abstract

The Stanley-Adamson project was developed by Trent University and is located on the Trent River in Peterborough, Ontario. It consists of three 1.35MW bulb turbines (ECOBulb type) rated at 33.3 cms and 4 meters of net head. One of three units is interconnected to the grid through a medium voltage power converter to allow variable speed operation. This paper will discuss first of project context and the objectives behind integration a power converter in the plant. The second half of the paper will discuss the challenges of operating a hydro turbine with a power converter.