--- title: "Iwrch Hydro Scheme Refurbishment" id: "984" type: "post" slug: "iwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment" published_at: "2020-09-30T13:06:22+00:00" modified_at: "2025-04-29T09:37:01+00:00" url: "https://dulas.org.uk/iwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment/" markdown_url: "https://dulas.org.uk/iwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment.md" excerpt: "[fusion_builder_container type=\"flex\" hundred_percent=\"no\" hundred_percent_height=\"no\" min_height_medium=\"\" min_height_small=\"\" min_height=\"\" hundred_percent_height_scroll=\"no\" align_content=\"stretch\" flex_align_items=\"flex-start\" flex_justify_content=\"flex-start\" flex_wrap_medium=\"\" flex_wrap_small=\"\" flex_wrap=\"wrap\" flex_column_spacing=\"20px\" hundred_percent_height_center_content=\"yes\" equal_height_columns=\"yes\" container_tag=\"div\" menu_anchor=\"\" hide_on_mobile=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\" status=\"published\" publish_date=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\" margin_top_medium=\"\" margin_bottom_medium=\"\" margin_top_small=\"\" margin_bottom_small=\"\" margin_top=\"0px\" margin_bottom=\"0px\" padding_top_medium=\"\" padding_right_medium=\"\" padding_bottom_medium=\"\" padding_left_medium=\"\" padding_top_small=\"\" padding_right_small=\"\" padding_bottom_small=\"\" padding_left_small=\"\" padding_top=\"\" padding_right=\"0px\"..." taxonomy_category: - "Aquashear" - "Hydro" --- # Iwrch Hydro Scheme Refurbishment **Fault finding and re-commissioning of an existing hydro plant** The original developers of this scheme expected to produce 380kW. However, it was never fully commissioned and only ran for 7 hours before being shut down to prevent serious damage to the equipment. Dulas were contracted to investigate and implement the remedial actions required to ensure the scheme could run. During this process Dulas Hydro Generation Ltd acquired the scheme. Dulas now provides Operation and Maintenance services. **Site Specific Issues** The existing plant suffered from various issues, rectified as follows: - The original intake was poorly designed, became blocked several times a day and could not be easily or safely cleaned. Dulas completely rebuilt the intake to allow installation of AquaShear Coanda screens. The new intake requires minimal cleaning and has significantly improved plant availability. - Deformed casing due to a mis-aligned turbine, generator and draft tube, and omission of a pipeline anchor block with resultant pipeline thrust forces acting on the turbine casing. Dulas stripped down the turbine, cut and re-welded the draft tube, re-aligned the turbine and generator, and restrained the inlet pipework. - Faulty wiring on the AVR and ventilation system was replaced. - Non-functioning PLC software was completely re-written and a SCADA System added to enable remote monitoring. **Conclusions** The scheme is now operating fully automatically, free of electro-mechanical and screen blockage problems, generating around 1000MWh/yr. | Power Output | 275 kW | | --- | --- | | Intake Screens | Type-C Coanda | | Turbines | Ganz Francis | | Generator | Newage synchronous | | Control Panel | Dulas | By [Dulas Group](https://dulas.org.uk/author/dulas/) Published On: September 30, 2020 Share: [https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdulas.org.uk%2Fiwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment%2F&t=Share%3A](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdulas.org.uk%2Fiwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment%2F&t=Share%3A) [https://x.com/intent/post?text=Share%3A&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdulas.org.uk%2Fiwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment%2F](https://x.com/intent/post?text=Share%3A&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdulas.org.uk%2Fiwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment%2F) [https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdulas.org.uk%2Fiwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment%2F&title=Share%3A&summary=Fault%20finding%20and%20re-commissioning%20of%20an%20existing%20hydro%20plant%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20original%20developers%20of%20this%20scheme%20expected%20to%20produce%20380kW.%20However%2C%20it%20was%20never%20fully%20commissioned%20and%20only%20ran%20for%207%20hours%20before%20being%20shut%20down%20to%20prevent%20serious%20damage%20to%20the%20equipment.%20Dulas%20were%20contracted%20to%20investigate%20and%20implement%20the%20remedial%20actions%20required%20to%20ensure%20the](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdulas.org.uk%2Fiwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment%2F&title=Share%3A&summary=Fault%20finding%20and%20re-commissioning%20of%20an%20existing%20hydro%20plant%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20original%20developers%20of%20this%20scheme%20expected%20to%20produce%20380kW.%20However%2C%20it%20was%20never%20fully%20commissioned%20and%20only%20ran%20for%207%20hours%20before%20being%20shut%20down%20to%20prevent%20serious%20damage%20to%20the%20equipment.%20Dulas%20were%20contracted%20to%20investigate%20and%20implement%20the%20remedial%20actions%20required%20to%20ensure%20the) [https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fdulas.org.uk%2Fiwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment%2F](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fdulas.org.uk%2Fiwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment%2F) [mailto:?subject=Share%3A&body=https%3A%2F%2Fdulas.org.uk%2Fiwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment%2F](mailto:?subject=Share%3A&body=https%3A%2F%2Fdulas.org.uk%2Fiwrch-hydro-scheme-refurbishment%2F) Strata Florida water treatment works hydroelectric scheme Strata Florida water treatment works hydroelectric scheme [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/strata-florida-water-treatment-works-hydroelectric-scheme/) Gafr Hydro, Nant Peris Gafr Hydro, Nant Peris [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/gafr-hydro-nant-peris/) In situ control panel upgrades at hydro scheme In situ control panel upgrades at hydro scheme [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/in-situ-control-panel-upgrades-at-hydro-scheme/) An 800kW run-of-river hydro scheme near Loch Lomond An 800kW run-of-river hydro scheme near Loch Lomond [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/an-800kw-run-of-river-hydro-scheme-near-loch-lomond/) Coanda screens in the Himalayas Coanda screens in the Himalayas [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/coanda-screens-in-the-himalayas/) Fit for the future: Dulas upgrade Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s Elan Valley scheme Fit for the future: Dulas upgrade Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s Elan Valley scheme [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/elan-valley-upgrade/) Increasing output through optimisation at the Llyn Brianne hydroelectric plant Increasing output through optimisation at the Llyn Brianne hydroelectric plant [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/increasing-output-through-optimisation-at-the-llyn-brianne-hydroelectric-plant/) Inverhaggernie intake refurbishment Inverhaggernie intake refurbishment [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/inverhaggernie-intake-refurbishment/) Glenmore Control Panel Refurbishment Glenmore Control Panel Refurbishment [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/glenmore-control-panel-refurbishment/) Atholl Estates Run of River Hydro Scheme Atholl Estates Run of River Hydro Scheme [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/atholl-estates-run-of-river-hydro-scheme/) Balnacarn Hydro Scheme Balnacarn Hydro Scheme [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/balnacarn-hydro-scheme/) Upper Bryn Cowlyd 200kW new build Upper Bryn Cowlyd 200kW new build [Read more](https://dulas.org.uk/upper-bryn-cowlyd-200kw-new-build/)