Realizations
Maków Mazowiecki SHP
Orzyc river
Pioneering microgrid with a SHP in Maków Mazowiecki
Pioneering microgrid with a SHP in Maków Mazowiecki
Historical overview
The new small hydropower plant featuring a modern architectural form was built on the left bank of the Orzyc River, opposite the 1920s building of an old small hydropower plant. The historic building is actually under conservation protection. The investment carried out by IOZE hydro included the construction of a new rubber dam with a footbridge (replacing a structure that had not fulfilled its function for decades), the development of a power plant with a vertical slot fish pass, as well as the development of the surrounding area. Thanks to a dedicated microgrid, the electricity produced powers public utility buildings in the city. The Maków Mazowiecki SHP is not only visually appealing but also serves as a highly functional showcase of a modern approach to hydropower project development—and marks a significant step toward the city’s energy independence.
Parameters
Technologies used
- Two vertical Kaplan hydro units, working with asynchronous generators
- Hybrid renewable energy generation system – SHP, PV, wind
- Battery energy storage system
- Smart microgrid
- Automatic trash rack cleaner
At the Maków Mazowiecki SHP we have installed a complex control system for the hydro units. The SHP installation consists of two generating units which operate in parallel with the microgrid. The turbines have been designed to operate even with an ultra-low head of 70 cm. It is worth noting that the nominal head of these turbines is more than twice as high. During the implementation of this project, we had to significantly modify our standard hydro unit controller, which is typically available in IOZE hydro offer, in order to reduce the machine’s interia and increase its response time to load changes in the microgrid. The controllers in this installation do not only consider current data available from the facility’s area, which comes from hydrostatic sensors. The data available to the energy management system (EMS) also comes from sources such as IMGW (Institute of Meteorology and Water Management), where the microgrid management system has information about what’s happening upstream. Based on this data we, can estimate how much energy we can produce and when inflow of water will reach the SHP. The EMS of the Maków Mazowiecki microgrid also has access to the capacity market and energy price data. Based on this, it can decide whether it is worth saving water at the moment and buying cheaper energy from the distribution network of the operator. The water reserve left can be used at a later time, for example, in the evening hours when energy in the grid is most expensive for consumers.
Investment planning:
- Evaluation of available hydropower potential
- Optimising the choice of hydro unit technology
- Concept of a microgrid based on hybrid renewable energy sources
- Optimising the construction and technology solutions
Consulting and design:
- Creation of a complete multi-specialty design documentation for the construction
- Acquiring a complete set of the necessary administrative decisions and other resolutions
- Creation of a complete multi-specialty design documentation for the execution of construction
- Obtaining a permit to use the facility
Execution of construction works as a general contractor:
- Coordination of works by our project managers and construction engineers
- Management of the construction office, cooperation with authorities, inspections
- Conducting the construction and installation works
- Delivery and installation of technology and control system
- Commissioning of the hydro units
