Alstom successfully delivers worlds first self-closing electronic ring gate system to Ahai dam in China

Tianjin Alstom Hydro Co. Ltd. (TAH) has successfully delivered the world’s first self-closing electronic ring gate control system to the Ahai hydro power station in China, representing a major technical advance for the safety of the dam.

The system supplied by Alstom is a unique innovation that boasts the world’s first electronic ring gate control system with hydraulic synchronisation – meaning that in an emergency, the system can close by itself, cutting the flow of water to stop the turbine.

The system is extremely reliable, offering easy operation and maintenance, high precision and outstanding safety compared with traditional ring gate systems. The process of model and product development, design, manufacture, assembly and testing took just 8½ months and is the result of effective collaboration between Tianjin Alstom Hydro Co. Ltd (TAH) and the Alstom research and development centre in Grenoble, France.

The Ahai dam, owned by Yunnan Jinsha River Hydropower Co. Ltd, is currently under construction and comprises 5×400 MW Francis hydro turbine generator units, for which the five turbines are being supplied by Alstom under a contract worth RMB 885 million (approximately €88.5 million). The first unit will be commissioned in spring 2012.

With a diameter of 10 metres, a height of 2.6 metres and weighing 110 tonnes, the Ahai ring gate is the biggest one in the world.

"The project milestone is another testimony to Alstom’s hydro power technology, which is leading the global hydro equipment market. The successful application of this revolutionary ring gate control system and positive test results will ensure the continued successful delivery of the Ahai project to our customer,” said Richard Yeung, Head of Alstom Power China.

As one of China’s leading hydro equipment producers, Alstom is involved in all the country’s major hydro power projects including Three Gorges Dam (14×700 MW units), Guanyinyan (3×600 MW units), Liyuan (4×600 MW units) and Xianjiaba (4×800 MW units). The 800 MW turbines designed, engineered and manufactured by Alstom for Xianjiaba are the world’s largest hydro turbines ever manufactured to date.

Tianjin Alstom Hydro is Alstom’s largest hydro power manufacturing base and has long enjoyed a leading postion in Chinese and other Asian markets. To further expand TAH’s production capacity and meet growing market demands, Alstom inaugurated a new hydro power manufacturing site in November 2010, capable of delivering up to 30 turbine and generator units per year with outputs ranging from 20 MW to 1000 MW.

About Alstom
Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 95,000 people in more than 70 countries, and had sales of over €23 billion* in 2009/10. (*Pro forma figures)

About Alstom China
Alstom China offers comprehensive rail transport, power generation as well as transmission solutions and is a long-term dedicated partner of China’s rail transport, power and transmission infrastructure industry in the past 50 years. By joining hands with Chinese partners, Alstom enables customers to be more competitive, efficient and environmentally friendly. Alstom presents in China through more than 30 entities with around 10,000 employees.

Press Contacts
Li Ding: +86 10 84 60 9338, li.ding@crn.alstom.com
Susanne Shields +33 1 41 49 27 22, susanne.shields@power.alstom.com

Website: www.alstom.com
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