Serbia’s green energy Hidroelektrane

SERBIA’S GREEN ENERGY

Serbian hydro-electric power provider Hidroelektrane Djerdap is investing in new equipment in order to be prepared to maintain its environmentally-responsible production in the country’s open market. EmmaJane Batey spoke to general manager Dragan Stankovic to find out more.

Hidroelektrane Djerdap d.o.o is part of the Serbian state-owned power industry Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) and is a hightech hydro power complex. With more than 1000 employees and its own maintenance capabilities, Hidroelektrane Djerdap is an important part of the state energy provision.

General manager Dragan Stankovic told Industry Europe why its production is key to the nation. He said, “Serbia has only one company that distributes electrical power – EPS – and we are the most environmentally responsible element within it thanks to our hydro power capabilities. While it is not currently an open market and we have the monopoly on electricity provision across Serbia, this is expected to change in 2013 and so we must ensure we are able to maintain our leading position in an open market.”

To achieve this, Hidroelektrane Djerdap has been investing heavily over the past few years in preparation for this major change. With the aim of guaranteeing its hydro power provision is reliable, efficient and cost-effective, Hidroelektrane Djerdap’s facilities are stateof-the-art. Mr Stankovic continued, “After 40 years of continual usage, it was necessary to replace the machines in our first power plant – HPP Djerdap 1. We started the renovation project in 2009 with the upgrade of all its six aggregates – a project worth $139 million – which will be complete in 2016. We started with an expert assessment of what elements needed renovation and in what order so that we could maintain our service without stoppage or failures. It was decided that we would entrust the rehabilitation of the generating sets to the Russian companies that originally installed them – OJSC Power Maschines from Saint Petersburg. We’ve also engaged a number of Serbian companies in the rehabilitation, with several hundred experts from the country involved in providing their expertise to the project.”

Investment for better production

With an annual production of 7.5 billion kilowatt hours of pure, ecologically compatible electricity, Hidroelektrane Djerdap operates HPP Djerdap 1 and HPP Djerdap 2 plants. The modernisation of HPP Djerdap 1 will signal the completion of the largest investment by the electric power industry of Serbia, with around $39 million of the total $139 million cost provided by the Russian partner, as a result of clearing debts associated with the USSR towards Serbia.

Power Machines

Today Power Machines performs projects in Russia and CIS, Latin America, China, India, Vietnam and many other countries.

One of the most significant projects of the company in the field of hydropower is the renovation of the Djerdap-1 HPP in Serbia. The turbines and generators currently in use at the HPP were manufactured by Power Machines enterprises during 1970-1972. Experience of the units faultless service through decades was the major factor that conditioned the Serbian party’s commitment to having the renovation works entrusted to the equipment manufacturer.

Apart from this project Power Machines are actively involved in modernization of control systems for Djerdap-2 HPP turbines.

Mr Stankovic added, “We have chosen the harder way. Instead of renovating the generating sets on a turnkey basis, as decided by the Romanians in their part of the building which they use according to the agreement between the two countries, we have decided to carry out our own assembly and disassembly works, while our Russian partner will provide the equipment and act as supervisor. The renovation will increase the power potential from 190MW to 201MW per annum, with the plant and its machinery expected to provide high level reliable power for the next 40 years.”

In order to make the most of these exceptional facilities, the company has its own high quality training facilities whereby it can provide the best possible induction and advancement of its workforce. Its socalled ‘Iron Gates School’, named after the company’s distinctive main building, offers all employees training on the latest equipment as well as personal and professional development opportunities.

Thanks to the Danube

Hidroelektrane Djerdap is appreciative of its unique location on the banks of the River Danube. Here, the natural resources provide exceptional power ready to be harnessed by HPP Djerdap 1 and HPP Djerdap 2. Mr Stankovic highlighted how the company ensures it utilises its excellent position. He said, “The Danube has always worked for us. It does not need any rest, recovery or repairs. We have also worked hard to protect our local neighbours from the potential impact of our location and operation; 15 towns were permanently protected against floodwater following a study by Hidroelektrane Djerdap and our protection system includes 282km of embankments, 2.2 million square metres of embankment linings, 53 pumping stations and over 830 hectares of drainage pipelines. We take the protection of our region seriously and, as an important local employer, we are well aware of our local responsibilities.”

The ongoing revitalisation of both Hidroelektrane Djerdap’s plants is both because of the preparation for Serbia’s free market and for the satisfaction of EPS and its desire to operate clean, reliable energy provision. Mr Stankovic added, “After the renovation of HPP Djerdap 1 is completed in 2016 we will then upgrade our other hydro-electric power plants. The modernisation of our Vlasina plant is currently in progress and we are also active in modernising HPP Djerdap 2 so that all our electricity provision is delivered in the most environmentally responsible manner possible so that we will remain competitive in Serbia’s free energy market in 2016 and beyond.” n