Electricité de France Hydro’s overview of the First Israeli Hydro-Electric Pumped Storage Power Plant: GILBOA PSPP

Abstract

The Israeli Public Utilities Authority (PUA) has decided to increase the instantaneous power available on the grid by adding Pumped Storage Power Plants (PSPP) to the existing generation capacity. PSPP Investments Ltd. is a private investor that has decided to develop the GILBOA PSPP. The capacity of the GILBOA PSPP is 300MW (2x 150 MWe). The project performance has to comply with PUA regulation for PSPP, and with all relevant Israeli laws and standards. The GILBOA PSPP is located at the Gilboa Mountain, in the north of Israel, near the town of Beit She’an (about 120 km North of Tel Aviv). As during IAHR 2016, EDF Hydro presented different items from feasibility studies to installations on site including model tests and manufacturing process. This current paper will give an overview of the GILBOA PSPP through short descriptions of EDF Hydro feedback during the end of the installation, during commissioning and during meetings for preparation of acceptance tests with Israeli Electric Company. The main equipment from the 2 units (reversible Francis pumps-turbines, motor-generators and associated auxiliaries) to the hydraulic gates as well as units ‘control and protection systems are provided by GE Renewable Energy which will also ensure Operating and Maintenance of the PSPP. GE Renewable Energy has introduced several technical innovations that will be presented in this paper as for instance, a dedicated trolley for the installation and the maintenance of the main inlet valves, or the thrust bearing with composite material PolyPadTM. The GILBOA PSPP is capable of connecting on IECo grid in approximately one minute.