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Performance evaluation of a variable-speed contra-rotating pump-turbine for low-head pumped hydro energy storage: An experimental study

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Autorschaft

  • Ruben Ansorena Ruiz
  • David Schürenkamp
  • Daan P.K. Truijen
  • Justus P. Hoffstaedt
  • Nils Goseberg

Organisationseinheiten

Externe Organisationen

  • Technische Universität Braunschweig
  • Universiteit Gent
  • Flanders Make
  • Delft University of Technology
  • Chalmers University of Technology
  • Advanced Design Technology Ltd.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer101009
FachzeitschriftEnergy Conversion and Management: X
Jahrgang26
Frühes Online-Datum9 Apr. 2025
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Apr. 2025

Abstract

Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHS) provides over 90% of the global long-duration energy storage capacity, yet many regions lack the steep terrain required for conventional high-head PHS. Low-head pumped hydro energy storage (LH PHS) systems address this gap in flat topographic regions but requires efficient pump-turbine technology for operation at variable low heads. This study investigates the use of a variable-speed contra-rotating pump-turbine (CR RPT) for LH PHS applications, presenting experimental results from a model-scale test rig stablished at Technische Universität Braunschweig. This test rig uses two open water surface tanks to provide head, unlike conventional hydraulic test rigs that use pumps. The CR RPT achieved hydraulic efficiencies over 80% for a wide range of operating conditions, peaking at 86.1% and 88.4% for pump and turbine modes, respectively. Additionally, dimensionless analysis revealed that the CR-RPT occupies a unique place in the market and that it achieves the largest power density among comparable hydraulic machines, facilitating greater power output and thus streamlining mechanical and civil engineering requirements for LH PHS.

Zitieren

Performance evaluation of a variable-speed contra-rotating pump-turbine for low-head pumped hydro energy storage: An experimental study. / Ansorena Ruiz, Ruben; Schürenkamp, David; Truijen, Daan P.K. et al.
in: Energy Conversion and Management: X, Jahrgang 26, 101009, 04.2025.

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Ansorena Ruiz, R, Schürenkamp, D, Truijen, DPK, Hoffstaedt, JP, Jarquin Laguna, A, Fahlbeck, J, Nilsson, H, Joseph, M, Zangeneh, M, De Kooning, JDM, Oldeweme, J, Schwarz, H & Goseberg, N 2025, 'Performance evaluation of a variable-speed contra-rotating pump-turbine for low-head pumped hydro energy storage: An experimental study', Energy Conversion and Management: X, Jg. 26, 101009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2025.101009
Ansorena Ruiz, R., Schürenkamp, D., Truijen, D. P. K., Hoffstaedt, J. P., Jarquin Laguna, A., Fahlbeck, J., Nilsson, H., Joseph, M., Zangeneh, M., De Kooning, J. D. M., Oldeweme, J., Schwarz, H., & Goseberg, N. (2025). Performance evaluation of a variable-speed contra-rotating pump-turbine for low-head pumped hydro energy storage: An experimental study. Energy Conversion and Management: X, 26, Artikel 101009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2025.101009
Ansorena Ruiz R, Schürenkamp D, Truijen DPK, Hoffstaedt JP, Jarquin Laguna A, Fahlbeck J et al. Performance evaluation of a variable-speed contra-rotating pump-turbine for low-head pumped hydro energy storage: An experimental study. Energy Conversion and Management: X. 2025 Apr;26:101009. Epub 2025 Apr 9. doi: 10.1016/j.ecmx.2025.101009
Ansorena Ruiz, Ruben ; Schürenkamp, David ; Truijen, Daan P.K. et al. / Performance evaluation of a variable-speed contra-rotating pump-turbine for low-head pumped hydro energy storage : An experimental study. in: Energy Conversion and Management: X. 2025 ; Jahrgang 26.
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abstract = "Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHS) provides over 90% of the global long-duration energy storage capacity, yet many regions lack the steep terrain required for conventional high-head PHS. Low-head pumped hydro energy storage (LH PHS) systems address this gap in flat topographic regions but requires efficient pump-turbine technology for operation at variable low heads. This study investigates the use of a variable-speed contra-rotating pump-turbine (CR RPT) for LH PHS applications, presenting experimental results from a model-scale test rig stablished at Technische Universit{\"a}t Braunschweig. This test rig uses two open water surface tanks to provide head, unlike conventional hydraulic test rigs that use pumps. The CR RPT achieved hydraulic efficiencies over 80% for a wide range of operating conditions, peaking at 86.1% and 88.4% for pump and turbine modes, respectively. Additionally, dimensionless analysis revealed that the CR-RPT occupies a unique place in the market and that it achieves the largest power density among comparable hydraulic machines, facilitating greater power output and thus streamlining mechanical and civil engineering requirements for LH PHS.",
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T1 - Performance evaluation of a variable-speed contra-rotating pump-turbine for low-head pumped hydro energy storage

T2 - An experimental study

AU - Ansorena Ruiz, Ruben

AU - Schürenkamp, David

AU - Truijen, Daan P.K.

AU - Hoffstaedt, Justus P.

AU - Jarquin Laguna, Antonio

AU - Fahlbeck, Jonathan

AU - Nilsson, Håkan

AU - Joseph, Melvin

AU - Zangeneh, Mehrdad

AU - De Kooning, Jeroen D.M.

AU - Oldeweme, Jonas

AU - Schwarz, Heiko

AU - Goseberg, Nils

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Authors

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N2 - Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHS) provides over 90% of the global long-duration energy storage capacity, yet many regions lack the steep terrain required for conventional high-head PHS. Low-head pumped hydro energy storage (LH PHS) systems address this gap in flat topographic regions but requires efficient pump-turbine technology for operation at variable low heads. This study investigates the use of a variable-speed contra-rotating pump-turbine (CR RPT) for LH PHS applications, presenting experimental results from a model-scale test rig stablished at Technische Universität Braunschweig. This test rig uses two open water surface tanks to provide head, unlike conventional hydraulic test rigs that use pumps. The CR RPT achieved hydraulic efficiencies over 80% for a wide range of operating conditions, peaking at 86.1% and 88.4% for pump and turbine modes, respectively. Additionally, dimensionless analysis revealed that the CR-RPT occupies a unique place in the market and that it achieves the largest power density among comparable hydraulic machines, facilitating greater power output and thus streamlining mechanical and civil engineering requirements for LH PHS.

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