THESIS - Dynamic Effects on hydropower units caused by reduced inertia

Background 

The rapidly developing electrical power system with increased dynamics from e.g. more windpower, has led to a need for increased flexibility and robustness of hydropower electricity production. The need for more available power in society has put focus on upgrading already existing hydropower for higher output. More power output from already existing hydropower plants, normally means a new turbine runner in existing waterways and upgrading also of the connected generator. Capacity improvement only may have inherent drawbacks, e.g. for grid stability, island operation and robustness against grid blackouts. 

New stability performance demands from the TSOs (Svenska kraftnät in Sweden) and EU/ENTSO RfG has put focus on electrical and physical hydrodynamic stability competence. 

Traditionally, hydropower units (turbine + generator) have been designed to have a “basic inherent physical stability” between rotating mass and inertia in water-ways. The quota Ta/Tw constant is not always considered when increasing turbine output in already existing waterways. 

Objective 

The Master Thesis Project includes conducting a literature study of a single turbine system stability within hydropower and theoretical investigations of how the dynamic effects on isochronous frequency control and island operation can be obtained after power upgrading. 

The aim of the work is to develop a better understanding of how the turbine system stability can be maintained with respect to waterways and critical Fault Ride Through (FRT, gränsbryttid) after refurbishments, including upgrading. 

Our offer 

At Fortum we see a Thesis Project as a good way to get to know you during your study time and for you to learn more about Fortum and how our business is working. A Supervisor will be appointed to support and guide you through the Thesis Project and you will also create a network of people within the Company as well as with other Students doing their Thesis with us.  

For a well performed and approved work, we will provide a taxable lumpsum award. 

This Thesis Project is preferably executed at either of our offices in Stockholm/Solna, Östersund or Borlänge. 

Your Qualifications 

We believe that you are studying Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics or similar, at a Master Programme level. Courses or experience in hydropower are meriting. The Project can be performed in either Swedish or English. 

We expect you to be analytical, energetic and able to work independently. You like challenges and are interested in solving complicated technical problems. 

Interested? 

To apply, register your CV and a personal letter of maximum one page or a Power Point presentation of maximum two slides, in our Recruitment Tool, latest by 24th November 2024. Applications will be evaluated continuously and an applicant may be on-boarded before this date. 

The personal letter shall include an approach on how you would like to investigate the idea. Mark your application with the reference number HYG-178. 

If you have General questions about Theses or Internship at Fortum, please address those to fortumcareers@fortum.com. 

Please note that we have more Master Thesis Projects open for application at our recruitment site.