Sinclair Knight Merz was engaged to design the automation of Motukawa hydro power station. The power station, about 20 km south east of New Plymouth, consists of three similar 6.6 kV 1.6 MW francis turbines and generators. The client needed the station to be automated so it could be remotely controlled.
The project included design and procurement of cost effective solutions including a hydraulic power pack and actuators for guide vane control, field devices and instrumentation, voltage transformers and control panels. The control panels included excitation and AVR equipment, a multi-function generator protection relay and other protection equipment, synchronising equipment, and a station PLC for control and automation. Turbine modifications included refurbishment of the turbine shaft seal and upgrading the existing turbine wear ring arrangement.
Sinclair Knight Merz prepared and supervised control panel, hydraulic, mechanical and installation contracts, performed precommissioning of all equipment and assisted with commissioning.
Sinclair Knight Merz was selected for this project because of its innovation and cost effective electrical and mechanical solutions for automation and experience in the upgrade of existing hydro power stations.