Sulzer Restores Energy Infrastructure for Historic Hydropower Plant with Cost-savings of CHF 2.15 Million
(Image source: Sulzer Ltd.)
The team of local experts drew on the support of Sulzer’s global network to implement the innovative repair that delivered a total cost savings of some CHF2.15 million in added uptime and saved replacement costs.
The historic 5MW turbine that could power some 1’500 homes per year suffered a major malfunction that led to an energy shortfall for the local community and wider grid. Given the urgent need to reinstate the power service, Sulzer’s local team of turbine specialists delivered industry-leading mechanical design and onsite support to restore and return the turbine to operation – in less than 50% of the expected time needed for new components to be delivered by the original manufacturers.
To ensure reduced downtime for the complex repair project, the Sulzer Services team sourced parts locally and customized them to measure using laser scans and reverse engineering techniques. Relying on advanced technologies, state-of-the-art equipment and a good measure of ingenuity, the turbine was reassembled and extensively tested before being redelivered in just five months.
Services Division President Tim Schulten said: “Downtime for any business means lower productivity, lost revenues and reputational damage, but in critical industries, it also represents enormous hardship for the communities they serve. I am incredibly proud of the team and what they achieved, and am delighted that we could be of service.”
Source: Sulzer Ltd.
