The Waterpower Laboratory, widely known as Vannkraftlaboratoriet, was established in 1917 to facilitate research and education in mechanical equipment associated with hydropower. Hydropower has been reliable source of energy over the century for Norway. Rich history of the hydropower in Norway presented here. Above 90% of electricity demand is met by hydropower in Norway. Waterpower laboratory is one of the featured buildings at Gløshaugen campus of Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The laboratory has played leading role in education and the development of the global hydropower, including efficient design of hydraulic turbines. The laboratory holds two flagship test rigs, i.e., Francis turbine and Pelton turbine. The test rigs are operated according to the international standards, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). In addition, the Francis turbine test rig is also designed for the reversible pump-turbine, enabling the advantage of operating both directions. The laboratory is also equipped with other state-of the art test rigs for fundamental research related to fluid machinery. The first hydrofoil test rig was developed in 2015 aiming to investigate the fluid structure interaction, eigen frequencies, hydrodynamic damping, added mass, vortex shedding, etc. The aim is to study fluid structure interaction and understand the complex phenomena in Francis turbine and associated fatigue loading. Water tunnel is another test rig developed to investigate the submerged structure and their characteristics including the fluid structure interaction, cavitation, boundary layer and vortex breakdown in highly controlled environment. The water tunnel is also used to conduct benchmark tests for velocity measurements. In addition to the main test rigs, high pressure pumping system with long conduit enables wide range of engineering studies, including water hammer. Visit Publication page for more information on the research conducted in the laboratory.

Waterpower laboratory 3d

Inside view of the Waterpower laboratory.

The Waterpower Laboratory holds centre of competence, i.e., Norwegian Hydropower Centre (NVKS), and a FME centre, i.e., Norwegian Research Centre for Hydropower Technology (HydroCen). The laboratory also conducts research on projects financed by the European Commission and collaborates with several universities and industries across Europe. The laboratory offers both experimental and numerical research to undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and international researchers. The laboratory also provides a unique opportunity to PhD and postdoctoral researchers to design and develop their own turbine and test. For numerical design and optimization, the researchers have access to the large computational facilities, National e-infrastructure services, Betzy, Fram and Saga in Norway. In addition, they have access to the local computational facility (Idun) to carry out small category simulations.

Waterpower laboratory outside view

Waterpower laboratory outside view, Gløshaugen campus, NTNU.

YouTube: About Waterpower laboratory.

Francis turbine

Francis turbine test rig is one of the state-of-the-art rigs in the laboratory. The test rig is widely known as Francis-99 rig. The test rig is designed and developed around 2005 under a large research project along with upgrading the laboratory infrastructure from 2000 - 2005. The test rig was developed to conduct industry scale model tests according to IEC 60193, including third party model tests. The very first model test (third party) conducted for the prototype turbine located at Tokke power plant in Norway. Since, then, the test rig is widely used for research and education. The Francis-99 runner is designed and developed in the laboratory and the model tests showed efficiency of 93.4% (±0.16%). The conduit system connected to the rig can be pressurized up to 100 m head. Available pumping power is 700 kW and the maximum flow rate is 1.1 m³ s^-1. The rig is a scaled (1:5.1) model of the prototypes operating at Tokke power plant in Norway. The runner design is unique, where the blades are not permanently welded to the hub and shroud, if fact, they are connected through bolts. This allowed us to customize the instrumentation for the research purpose. The turbine is a splitter blade type runner consisting of 15 blades and 15 splitters (short blades). The leading edge profiles of the blades and splitters are similar. The blades are twisted upto180 degree along the chord length from inlet to the outlet of the runner. The blade thickness at the trailing edge is around 3 mm. Runner inlet and outlet diameters are 0.630 m and 0.349 m, respectively. The rig is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and sensors for the efficiency measurements. All instruments are regularly calibrated and the calibration history is recorded to study deviation of uncertainty, if any. The test rig is extensively used for the other studies, such as rotor stator interaction, vortex rope, rotating stall with pump-turbine runner, water hammer, cavitation, etc. The open loop hydraulic system is widely used to perform transient measurements, such as load variation, start-stop, and total load rejection. This model turbine has played important role in the research and development of the high head turbines over the last decade globally. Another key feature of this test rig is that, it can operate into open-loop configuration (and hybrid configuration semi open-loop). This enables conducting measurements under transient conditions such as load variation, start-stop and no-load without controlling the pumping system. The test rig characteristics are identical to the prototype, where large overhead tanks serve as upper reservoir. Moreover, the test rig is connected with the National Smart Grid Laboratory that enables us real-time scenario of power grid and variation of the electricity. This allows us to study how hydro mechanical system responds when transient variation in grid occurs. This inter connection is important to investigate the energy flexibility and futuristic power grid.

Francis turbine conduit system

Overall conduit network connected to the Francis-99 rig. The main components are: overhead tank, feed pumps, Francis-99 rig, flow calibration tank, lower reservoir, high pressure tank, low pressure tank.

Francis turbine rig

Francis-99 rig inside the laboratory.

Pelton turbine

The Pelton test rig, located in the Waterpower Laboratory, provides great flexibility for studying various aspects related to Pelton turbines. These include flow interactions within the nozzle and buckets, jet quality assessment, efficiency measurements, and pressure profiles inside the final part of the nozzle. The Pelton turbine was design by Bjorn Solemslie, based on multiple cubic Bézier curves for its inner surface. Specifically optimized for a 70 m head and a 35 mm jet diameter, the turbine has an external diameter of 600 mm, the bucket has a width of 114.2 mm, length of 84,7 mm, and is constructed from aluminum. It features 23 extractable buckets, enhancing its adaptability to different operating conditions. At the best efficiency point, this Pelton turbine can achieve an efficiency of 77.75% (±0.24%).

Francis Pelton runner

Model Francis turbine runner and Pelton wheel in the laboratory.

Pelton turbine rig inside the laboratory.

Hydrofoil

The hydrofoil test facility is developed in recent and continue to develop over the years. Aim for developing the test rig is to conduct fundamental research and understand the fluid structure interactions. The obtained knowledge can be applied to hydraulic turbines to understand the resonance and associated fatigue loading an inception of crack in the runner. The very first setup was developed in 2015 under the research project (HiFrancis), and the test section for the single hydrofoil was developed to investigate the hydrodynamic damping and eigen frequencies under different mode shapes. Several different flow characteristics have been studies. The test rig is integrated with the main conduit system of the laboratory. This enabled extra features, such as different flow rate and pressure values. The hydrofoil was investigated up to 15 m s^-1 flow velocity in the test section. Cavitation was observed beyond this flow velocity value. The test section is 0.15 x 0.15 x 0.3 m³, and the chord length of the hydrofoil is 0.25 m. The test rig is also capable of conducting particle velocimetry measurements to investigate vortex breakdown. Continuing the research on hydrofoil, a test section of three hydrofoil was developed in 2018, and the similar measurements of fluid structure interactions were extended. Aim of three hydrofoil test section was to study influence of nearby structure and response during the resonance. When one of the hydrofoil is excited, how other hydrofoils react to the propagated hydro-acoustic waves an mode shapes and damping characteristics look like. While continuing the research on hydrofoil, most recently (2023), a new test section of hydrofoil with radial arrangement is prepared. A total of eight hydrofoils are prepared and integrated on a shaft (hub). The hydrofoils are integrated with piezoelectric patches and strain gauges. This section of hydrofoil will also enable us to study vortex shedding from the trailing edge and their interaction as far downstream. A total of three phd students under different research projects have conducted research on this test facility so far.

Hydrofoil

Three-dimensional view of the single hydrofoil test section.

Hydrofoil

Three-dimensional view of three hydrofoils section.

Hydrofoil cascade and outer frame for particle image velocimetry measurements.

Water tunnel

The water tunnel, also known as a cavitation tunnel, is a newly developed test rig in the laboratory. Completed in 2024, it is designed to study fundamental flow properties, including cavitation. This test rig is an isolated unit, separate from the laboratory's main conduit system, allowing for high-accuracy benchmark measurements. The rig is designed and developed to carry out measurements such as, fluid structure interactions, boundary layer, vibrating submerged bodies, cavitation, particle image velocimetry, flow over hydrofoil with different angle of attach, cascade of hydrofoils along longitudinal direction to investigate the impact of vortex shedding on behind resonating hydrofoil. Precise flow and pressure control system also enables to conduct benchmark tests for the particle image velocimetry. Moreover, the test rig also serves as training for the researchers and students in the Waterpower laboratory.

Water tunnel

Three-dimensional view of the water tunnel.

Academic research and education

Since its establishment, the laboratory has been actively engaged in research and education. The laboratory is integrated part of the university (Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering), and responsible for education in the field of hydraulic machinery to the undergraduate and graduate students. Over the century, several students have successfully completed the master's thesis and phd thesis in the laboratory. More information on the master's thesis and phd thesis is presented here. The academic staff in the laboratory is actively involved in following study courses.

TEP4110: Fluid Mechanics
TEP4111: Energy and Sustainability
TEP4195: Turbo Machinery
TEP4200: Mechanical Design, Operation and Maintenance of Hydraulic Machinery
TEP4280: Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics
TEP4506: Sustainable Energy Systems, Specialization Course
TEP4521: Sustainable Energy Systems, Specialization Project
TEP4906: Sustainable energy systems, master thesis
FENT2321: Wind Energy and Design of a Wind Turbine

Doctoral degree level courses

EP8406: Frequency and Power Governing of Hydro Power Plants
EP8407: High Pressure Hydraulic Machinery
EP8411: Hydropower Plants; Selected Interdisciplinary Topics
BA8510: Head Loss Analyses in Hydro Power Tunnels. Hydraulics, Rock Blasting Technique and Economy

Research and education centre

Norwegian Hydropower Centre

Norwegian Hydropower Centre (Norwegian abbreviation NVKS) is a national centre which aims to ensure and develop research and education in hydropower related technology. The centre is a cooperation between universities, various research institutions, the hydropower industry as well as Norwegian authorities. The centre's headquarters are located at NTNU in Trondheim. The structure of the board reflects the centre's close contact with the industry, as well as its interdisciplinary focus. The engineering committees are led by experienced professionals from NTNU and consists of representatives from the centre's sponsors. Visit official website for more detail: Norsk Vannkraftsenter.

Purpose

The Norwegian Hydropower Centre's objectives are to obtain and coordinate effort and resources towards hydropower related education, research and development at NTNU and cooperating partners. This will ensure optimized development of Norwegian hydropower resources and competence.

Objectives:

Ensure recruitment through excellent research based education with relevance for both NTNU and cooperating partners.
Strengthen basic education at NTNU and cooperating institutions.
Facilitate interdisciplinary cooperation and communication.
Strengthen communication between research environments and the industry.
Convey knowledge and competense to the industry
Contribute towards the implementation of research results by the industry.
Identify relevant research topics
Promote research at a high international level and ensure good international communication

Opening of NVKS 10 February 2014. (Image: from internet, see url)

Åpning Norsk vannkraftsenter

Norwegian Research Centre for Hydropower Technology

Main objective is to enable the Norwegian hydropower sector to meet complex challenges and exploit new opportunities through innovative technological solutions. Visit official website for more detail: Hydrocen.

The research areas include:

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is the host institution and is the main research partner together with SINTEF Energy Research and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA). HydroCen has about 50 national and international partners from industry, R&D institutes and universities. The annual budget is NOK 48 mill per year, total NOK 384 mill in eight years. HydroCen is a Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME). The FME scheme is established by the Norwegian Research Council. The objective of the Research Council of Norway FME-scheme is to establish time-limited research centres, which conduct concentrated, focused and long-term research of high international calibre in order to solve specific challenges in the field. The FME-centres can be established for a maximum period of eight years (an initial five-year period with the possibility of a three-year extension). HydroCen was established in 2016.

Award of FME HydroCen, 2016. (Image: from internet, see url)

Norwegian Research Centre for Renewal of Hydropower Technology

RenewHydro aims to develop knowledge and solutions that enable flexible hydropower to support the realization of energy transition and achieve national energy, climate, and environmental goals. The significant strength of hydropower lies in its ability to be stored. It can balance both production and consumption across months and seasons, which is crucial for expanding and integrating variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Within RenewHydro, researchers in technology, biology, and economics collaborate with experts from the hydropower industry and administration to address key challenges in the energy field. We strive to develop solutions for a low-emission society and enhance business innovation. The RenewHydro team combines cutting-edge science with deep insights provided by user partners, uniquely positioning us to drive innovation within the Norwegian hydropower industry and facilitate knowledge exchange with international partners.

Award of FME RenewHydro, 2024. (Image: from internet, see url)

International cooperation

The laboratory is extensively engaged in international cooperation directly and indirectly (through university and research centres). Large part of the engagement is in the field of hydropower, including research, education, capacity building and training. Followings the featured cooperation initiated a decade ago and continue.

EERA

The laboratory is strongly involved in European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) Joint Programme (JP) Hydropower. The JP Hydropower started on Monday, 9 September 2019, in Brussels and aims to facilitate a new role for hydropower as enabler for the renewable energy system by aligning and targeting research efforts in Europe. The JP Hydropower is one of 18 joint research programmes of the EERA. Thematically, the JP Hydropower spans the entire energy chain from water catchment to system integration, and it includes cross-cutting elements such as markets and market design as well as environmental impacts, effects of climate change and policy and societal issues. The Joint Programme emphasizes cross-disciplinary cooperation between its Sub-Programmes, synergies with other EERA Joint Programmes and existing European and international projects, and engages actively with the industry in order to secure relevance and impact for the hydropower sector and the renewable energy system. JP Hydropower is coordinated by NTNU (Waterpower laboratory), Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug.

The JP Hydropower has six Sub-Programmes spanning the entire energy chain from water catchment to system integration, and it includes cross-cutting elements such as markets and market design as well as environmental impacts, effects of climate change and policy and societal issues. Cross-disciplinary collaboration between Sub-Programmes is emphasized.

SP1: Hydroelectric units

SP2: Hydropower structures

SP3: Grid, systems integration and markets

SP4: Water resources, environmental impacts and climate adaptation

SP5: Social acceptance, engagement and policy

SP6: Digitization