Highly efficient synchronous generators with permanent magnets intended to small hydropower station

This paper deals with the new conception of the highly efficient generating sets dedicated to application in small hydropower stations. The main features of a new generating set solution are a variable speed operation of water turbine according to actual hydrological conditions in the hydropower station and no need for gearbox between the turbine and the generator. The main elements of new generating set solution are the high efficiency low speed permanent magnet synchronous generator and dedicated frequency converter with proper control algorithm implemented. The benefits resulting from the installation of newly developed generating sets instead of traditional constant speed solutions will be the significantly higher efficiency of power generation in the new or modernized hydropower stations and the significantly better utilization of hydropower resources available in a country.