Leak Management and Repair Strategy at Sveta Petka Hydropower Plant
Case Study: Leak Management and Repair at Sveta Petka Hydropower Plant Using Euras Technology Solutions Overview This case study explores how Sveta Petka Hydropower Plant utilized Euras Technology Solutions to address and repair multiple leaks in its facility, ultimately improving the overall plant efficiency and safety. The repair involved the use of Euras Magic Gel, alongside innovative water isolation techniques, providing a comprehensive, sustainable, and cost-effective solution.
Learn how the Sveta Petka Hydropower Plant, a 36.4 MW facility harnessing the Treska River, resolved its leakage issue without hefty costs. This case study outlines the steps taken for leak assessment, analysis, and the cost-effective repair process. We delve into the plant's state-of-the-art remote monitoring system and discuss the crucial role it plays in North Macedonia's energy landscape.
The Sveta Petka Hydropower Plant became functional on August 1, 2012, and plays a vital role in North Macedonia's energy production. With an installed capacity of 36.4 MW and an annual average generation of 43 GWh, the facility uses the Treska River to provide sustainable energy. It features advanced telecommunication process equipment and is fully automated, enabling remote operation from various locations such as AD ESM's production dispatch center in Skopje or AD MEPSO’s NDC. The 64-meter high dam is constructed with almost 30,000,000 m³ of concrete, following a unique double curvature arch design—making it the first of its kind in North Macedonia.
In late 2020, engineers detected leaks in the dam structure. A failure could be catastrophic, affecting both the energy production and local communities.
Concrete arch dam, h=64m,
d=2,0-10,0m; visible leaks in joint areas of the concrete
segments and expansion joints.
Utilizing Euras Gel Type B in a high-pressure hydraulic injection system, pressures of up to 200 bar were achieved to effectively infiltrate water courses located at the joints of concrete segments. The existing water served as a vector for the gel's dispersion, enabling permanent suppression of water ingress and preventing its recurrence. During the injection process, a 17-micron interstitial space was generated within the working coupling in a time frame of less than one millisecond. This outcome is attributable to the gel's particulate dimensions, which measure 3 microns, significantly smaller than any other commercially available sealing materials. Approximately 2,500 kilograms of Euras Gel were deployed in this operation.
Additionally, the project revealed the presence of water-filled cavities in what was otherwise perceived as high-quality concrete structures, specifically in those that had been subjected to extreme conditions during both construction and operational phases.
The Sveta Petka Hydropower Plant successfully identified and repaired the leaks in its dam structure without incurring the significant costs typically associated with such endeavors. This was possible due to its advanced remote monitoring system and a carefully considered cost-effective repair strategy. The dam continues to play a vital role in North Macedonia's energy sector, showcasing the effectiveness of timely maintenance and smart decision-making.
Sveta Petka Hydropower Plant, leak repair, cost-effective solution, Treska River, North Macedonia, remote monitoring, sustainable energy, dam maintenance, high-grade sealant.
