Harnessing hydropower technology Rainpower

HARNESSING HYDROPOWER TECHNOLOGY

Rainpower is a leading European hydropower group that specialises in the manufacture of turbines, services and power plant modernisation. It is also Scandinavia’s leading supplier of control systems. Philip Yorke looks at a company that continues to drive turbine technology forward in the interests of cleaner, safer and more efficient renewable energy.

Rainpower was founded in Lodalen, Norway in 1853 and began by manufacturing castings for the building industry. However, a major milestone was reached in 1890 when the company produced its first hydropower turbine. This was a ‘Pelton’ design and had a hydraulic head of 11 metres capable of delivering 230 horsepower.

Today Rainpower’s products and services span the entire value chain from the development of technical solutions to the commissioning of power plants. The company’s business activities focus on product development, engineering services and the production of turbines and electromechanical solutions for the supply of renewable energy.

Rainpower is part of the Norwegian ARD Group, which was formerly known as NLI and is a privately owned investment company with interests in oil, gas, hydropower, renewable energy, onshore facilities, property, health foods and consultancy services. The group currently employs more than 2000 people in 12 countries and in 2014 recorded sales of €150 million.

Redefined business strategy

In order to be able to deliver end-to-end mechanical systems and solutions, Rainpower collaborates closely with leading international suppliers of generators, electrical plant and automation, as well as with local installation companies. In recent years the company has significantly re-focused both its business model and its organisation in order to bring it into line with the on-going developments in both national and international hydropower markets.

Recently major restructuring and ‘lean practice’ measures have been implemented to align the company more closely with the needs of the renewable energy market of today and to increase its level of competitiveness. Rainpower has identified its best opportunities for growth and sees these as being the upgrading, modernisation, servicing and maintenance of hydropower plants. This is in addition to its focus on smaller hydro power plant production and the development of advanced control systems.

Leading through research and innovation

Rainpower’s state-of-the-art turbine testing laboratory in Trondheim, Norway was built in 1985 and has been continuously upgraded since then. It continues to play a key role in the testing and development of new hydro-electric turbines. The impressive results of the laboratory are testament to its high level of expertise and its extensive experience in advanced hydropower technology.

Rainpower leads the field in the development of hydropower plants in the Nordic countries that utilise large heads. This is due to the natural conditions prevalent in the region. In addition, reservoir power plants that use Pelton and Francis turbines have also played a significant role in Nordic hydropower production. In 2013 Rainpower entered into a partnership with Statkraft and E-CO of Norway, both of which operate Francis turbines with large heads. The strategy here is to boost the understanding of the dynamic phenomena that arises in these powerful turbines during operation. This collaboration has helped to establish improved criteria for the design and efficiency of Francis turbines for large heads.

Expanding global reach

Rainpower continues to extend its reach and expertise to countries outside its domestic market. The company established itself in Sweden in 2011 and by 2013 it had contributed almost 20 per cent of Rainpower’s incoming revenues. However the company’s technology comes into its own in the Swiss and central European markets. Wherever you find high mountains and water, you will find that Rainpower is in its element. In 2011 the company opened up new offices in Toronto, Canada in order to market its hydropower expertise and services there. This concerned the supply of new hydropower plants and the upgrading of existing plants in western Canada and the USA.

Furthermore, the small-scale power market in British Columbia has also expanded significantly in recent years and the company has now successfully established itself in this market.

In 2008 Rainpower had the vision to establish itself in the Chinese market in Hangzhou, where it has an in-house engineering facility. China is one of the world’s largest hydropower markets and the company anticipates a significant increase in demand for its products and services in the region. Turkey is also a major market for Rainpower and one of the largest markets in Europe with over 50 per cent of the country’s hydropower potential yet to be exploited. This market is also targeted for Rainpower’s future growth. In 2001 Rainpower founded new offices in Peru to serve the South American market, which is yet another of the company’s most promising markets.

Powering ahead

From Norway to Equador and from Canada to China, Rainpower’s hydropower products and services are helping to provide efficient, more cost-effective renewable energy for consumers. In Peru Rainpower is delivering two 87MW Pelton turbines as well as other electro-mechanical equipment for a new power station that is almost complete. The end customer in this case is SN Power and Rainpower’s consortium partners are ABB and Jeumont Electric.

In Equador Rainpower Hangzhou will deliver three Pelton turbines of 60MW each for a head of 495 metres. Furthermore, in Turkey Rainpower has completed a small hydro power plant and is now currently involved in the installation of three stations in the series Cakmak 1, Cackmak 11 and Sogutlu, with a combined capacity of 50MW for its customer EGEHIDRO Energy. These contracts are in addition to countless others in the Nordic countries and in other parts of the world. n

For further details of Rainpower’s advanced hydropower products and services visit: www.rainpower.no