Alstom presents its latest solutions at Hydro 2012 in Bilbao

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Alstom will introduce its latest technologies and hydroelectric power solutions at the Hydro 2012 Conference, held this year in Bilbao on 29th-31st October. At the conference, Alstom, the world leader in pump storage, will present innovations demonstrating how their power solutions facilitate the storage of energy and match production requirements.  Alstom will also present its services portfolio including maintenance and expertise through five technical papers during the conference. 

One of Alstoms most important projects under construction in Spain is the expansion of the La Muela power station. Located in Vortes de Pallàs (Valencia), the plant will start operating in 2013, and will become the largest pumping station in all of Continental Europe, generating 1.800 MW in installed capacity. The four generators have been developed at Alstoms industrial site of Galindo (Vizcaya) and will be installed in the new underground power station. This centre is specialised in the manufacturing  of hydroelectric and diesel generators, as well as ring motors. The site also works on the development of new ocean and renewable energies within the framework of Alstoms R&D programmes all over the world. In this area, it has also the support of local authorities and institution, such as the Basque Government, EVE (Ente Vasco de Energía) and Tecnalia.  Figures last year show that  76% of manufactured products at the Vizcaya facilities are exported, primarily to Latin America, Asia and the rest of Europe. 

In Spain, Alstoms first major project dates back to 1906, when Iberdrolas Zumarresta dam began operating. Since then, Alstom has installed 300 hydroelectric turbines and 2,000 generators in Spain, with a total installed capacity of 7 GW, which represents 40% of Spains total hydroelectric capacity. 

With over 100 years of experience in hydroelectric power, Alstom is the leading provider of equipment and services for hydro power plants. More than 25% of the worlds the global hydropower installed capacity contains equipment and services installed or provided by Alstom.  Furthermore, Alstom technology is central to many record-breaking hydropower plants in the world, including Three Gorges (22.7 GW) in China, Itaipu (14.8 GW) in Brazil/Paraguay and La Grande (13.8 GW) in Canada.