CONTENTS

The Waterpower Laboratory, commonly referred to as Vannkraftlaboratoriet, was founded in 1917 to advance research and education in mechanical engineering related to hydropower. Hydropower has been a reliable source of energy for Norway for over a century. The country's unique geography, with its steep valleys, abundant rivers, and heavy rainfall, makes it ideal for hydropower generation. The first hydropower plant in Norway was established in 1891 in Hammerfest, and since then, the country has continued to develop its hydropower infrastructure. Today, Norway generates approximately 96% of its electricity from renewable hydropower sources. The rich history of the hydropower in Norway is available here.

The Waterpower Laboratory, one of the prominent buildings at the Gløshaugen campus of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), has been a cornerstone in education and the development of global hydropower since its establishment. The laboratory has significantly contributed to the efficient design of hydraulic turbines and other fluid machinery. It holds two flagship test facilities: the Francis turbine and the Pelton turbine, both can be operated according to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC, TC4) standards. The Francis turbine test rig is uniquely designed for reversible pump-turbine operations, allowing it to function in both directions.

The laboratory is also equipped with other state-of-the-art test rigs for the fundamental research on fluid machinery. The first hydrofoil test rig, developed in 2015, aims to investigate fluid-structure interactions, eigenfrequencies, hydrodynamic damping, added mass, vortex shedding, and more. This rig is designed to study fluid-structure interactions and understand the complex phenomena in Francis turbines, including associated fatigue loading. Another important test rig, is the hydrodynamic tunnel, which is highly versatile and is developed to investigate submerged structures and their characteristics, such as fluid-structure interactions, cavitation, boundary layers, and vortex breakdown in a highly controlled environment. The hydrodynamic tunnel is also used to conduct benchmark tests for velocity measurements. In addition to the main test rigs, the laboratory features a high-pressure pumping system with a long conduit, enabling a wide range of engineering studies, including water hammer effects.

  Inside view of the Waterpower Laboratory.

The laboratory also conducts research on projects financed by the European Commission and collaborates with several universities and industries Internationally. It offers both experimental and numerical research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and international researchers. Additionally, the laboratory provides a unique opportunity for PhD and postdoctoral researchers to design and develop their own turbines and conduct tests. For numerical design and optimization, researchers have access to large computational facilities (300 000 + cpu), National e-infrastructure services, Betzy, Fram  and Saga in Norway. In addition, the researchers have access to the local supercomputer (4000+ cpu) to carry out small category simulations.

Francis turbine

Francis turbine test rig, known as Francis-99,  is one of the state-of-the-art rigs in the laboratory. The rig is designed and developed under a large research project (financed by hydropower industries) along with upgrading the laboratory infrastructure during 2000 and 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 under refurbishment project. The rig is a scaled (1:5.1) model of the prototypes operating at Tokke power plant. 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 runner design is unique, where the blades are not permanently welded to the hub and shroud, if fact, they are joined through bolts. This allowed us to customize the instrumentation for the research purpose. The runner consists of 15 blades and 15 splitters (short blades). The blades are cambered upto 180 degree along the chord length from leading edge to the trailing edge. The leading edge radius is around 3.2 mm. The blade thickness at the trailing edge is around 3 mm. Runner inlet and outlet diameters are 0.630 m and 0.347 m, respectively. The turbine type is high head and low specific speed (0.27).

  Francis-99 test rig in the Waterpower Laboratory.

The rig is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and sensors, which are regularly calibrated and the calibration history is recorded to study deviation over long period. The test rig is extensively used for the other studies, such as rotor-stator interaction, vortex rope, rotating stall, water hammer, cavitation, etc. 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 manipulating the pumping system. The characteristics are identical to the prototype, where the large overhead tanks serve as upper reservoir (providing up to 16 m head).

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.

Model Francis turbine runners and Pelton wheel in 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 Bjørn Winther 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%).

Pelton turbine rig in the Waterpower Laboratory.

The Pelton test rig has an independent sump tank and pump that operate simultaneously to other facilities in the laboratory. The available capacity of the Pelton rig is around 70 m of head. Additionally, it can be connected to the main feed pump system to reach up to 100 m of head. A frequency transformer allows complete control of rotational speed, giving a good quality hill diagram measurement. The rig is also equipped with a borescope camera for examining the interaction between the jet and the bucket under different operating conditions. And stroboscope light with control frequency allows visual evaluation of Pelton runners performance.

Thanks to 3D resin printing, the Pelton rig offers a wide range of setup options. Multiple design of Pelton buckets and numbers of buckets. The rig has the possibility to replicable erosion surfaces at 40-micron resolution, like an eroded surfaces on runners, needles, and nozzle outlets. Additionally, new runner designs can be printed within just in a few days.

The plexiglass walls permit observation of jet quality and efficiency under different erosion stages on the nozzle components, up to 600 mm. Pressure taps on nozzle outlet give us detailed analysis of pressure profile variations as erosion progresses.

The SCADA system is running under LabVIEW with a full control and flexibility on the signals according to the experiments required.

Hydrofoil

The hydrofoil test rig is continuously developed and upgraded since 2015. Aim for developing the test rig is to conduct fundamental research and understand the fluid structure interactions. When it comes to fluid structure interaction in hydraulic turbine, we have very limited knowledge. The obtained knowledge from the hydrofoil rig can be applied to the turbines for understanding the resonance and associated fatigue loading, inception of crack in the runner. Initially, a small setup with single hydrofoil was developed in 2015 under the research project (HiFrancis), to investigate the hydrodynamic damping and eigen frequencies. Several different flow characteristics have been studied. 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 at trailing edge during lock-in condition. 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 (2024), 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 four phd students under different research projects have conducted research on this test rig so far.

Hydrofoil cascade and outer frame for particle image velocimetry measurements developed during 2024.

Hydrodynamic tunnel

 The Hydrodynamic tunnel is a newly developed test rig in the laboratory. Completed in early 2025, 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 with precise control of flow Reynolds numbers. 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. Flow straighteners at the critical locations ensure smooth flow conditions at the test section. The flow stabilizers in the high pressure tank minimizes the high intensity turbulence to the pumping system. The size of the test section is 300 x 300 x 1000 mm³. Four side plexiglass enables unique opportunity for the optical measurements, specifically far downstream in longitudinal direction. The flow velocity in the test section can be up to 5 m s^-1. However, higher flow velocity cause instability in the system and moderate vibrations. A round plexiglass downstream of the pump, allows visualization of unsteady vortex from the pump and the impeller, including cavitation vortex. 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 laboratory.

Three-dimensional view of the hydrodynamic tunnel for fundamental research on fluid structure interactions.

Academic research and education

Since its establishment, the laboratory has been actively engaged in research and education. The laboratory is integral 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 doctoral thesis in the laboratory. The academic staff in the laboratory is actively involved in following study programs and courses.

Study programs

• Mechanical Engineering
• Energy and Environmental Engineering
• Hydropower Development

Second degree level courses

• TEP4110: Fluid Mechanics
• TEP4111: Energy and Sustainability
• TEP4195: Turbomachinery
• 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

Centre of competence

Norwegian Hydropower Centre

NVKS | 2014 - permanent

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.

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 competence 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

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

Norwegian Research Centre for Renewal of Hydropower Technology

FME RenewHydro | 2025 - 2032

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.

view Research in Waterpower Laboratory

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

Norwegian Research Centre for Hydropower Technology 

 FME HydroCen | 2016 - 2024

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:

• Hydropower structures
• Turbine and generators
• Market and services
• Environmental design

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)

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.

European Energy Research Alliance

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

Site map

Vannkraftlaboratoriet, Alfred Getz vei 4, 7034 Trondheim, Norway.

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