Caruachi (Francisco de Miranda)

Infobox_Dam
dam_name=


caption=
impounds=Caroni River
locale=Bolívar, Venezuela
reservoir=
reservoir capacity=
maint=
length=360 m
height=55 m
width=
electricity=2,160 MW capacity
irrigation=
began=1998
open=2006
closed=
map_cue=
map_

map_text=
map_width=
coordinates =
lat= 8.160028
long= -62.798544
extra=

The Caruachi hydroelectric power facility is located on the Caroní River, in Bolivar state, Venezuela. The facility is located about 59 kilometers downstream from the Lake of the "Central Hidroeléctrica Simón Bolívar" in Guri and about 35 kilometres from where the Caroni and Orinoco Rivers meet at Ciudad Guayana [http://www.edelca.com.ve/generacion/caruachi.htm Oficial site of EDELCA and the Caruachi Project] , published 2007, accessed 2007-11-23] .

Introduction

The first of the 180 MW Kaplan turbine-generators General Electric supplied for the project began commercial operation in April 2003; the 12th and final unit entered service on February 28, 2006 [http://pepei.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?ARTICLE_ID=251788&p=6 "Venezuela's Caruachi hydro plant inaugurated" from Power Engineering International] , published 2006, accessed 2007-11-20] , and entered into formal/fully commercial operation on 31 March 2006, when the project was officially inaugurated.

The total installed capacity is 2,160 MW and the power plant will produce about 12,000GWh annually.

This project form jointly with the Central Hidroeléctrica Simón Bolívar in Guri, Antonio José de Sucre in Macagua and Manuel Piar in Tocoma (under construction), the development of Lower Caroní hydroelectric resources and one of the world's largest hydro projects now in construction, that, when completed, EDELCA (Electrificación del Caroní CA) claims will save Venezuela the equivalent of 750,000 barrels of oil per day, compared to 300,000 currently [http://www.power-technology.com/projects/caruachi/ "Caruachi Hydroelectric Power Plant, Venezuela" from the Web Site of the Power Industry] , published 2007, accessed 2007-11-23] .

Design and Construction

The contract for the design, supply and installation of the main electro-mechanical equipment was awarded to a consortium of Kvaerner of Norway (Kvaerner's hydro interests since acquired by GE), GE Energy of America and Elin Transormatoren GmbH of Austria. Major work began on the project in 1998 [http://pepei.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?ARTICLE_ID=251788&p=6 "Venezuela's Caruachi hydro plant inaugurated" from Power Engineering International] , published 2006, accessed 2007-11-20] .

Following GE's acquisition of Kvaerner's hydro business in 1999, over 90% of the Caruachi contract was carried out by GE Hydro, including all aspects of the design, supply and installation of the turbines, generators, governors, exciters and cranes. The 180MW Kaplan turbine-generators are among 12 GE Hydro units for the Caruachi project [http://www.power-technology.com/projects/caruachi/ "Caruachi Hydroelectric Power Plant, Venezuela" from the Web Site of the Power Industry] , published 2007, accessed 2007-11-23] .

ABB won three contracts to provide the power transmission system for the project. A 400kV substation and four related 400kV transmission lines connect the plant with the country's transmission network.

Project Features

A main concrete 360m gravity dam has a maximum height of 55m from its foundations, with an integrated intake structure and powerhouse.

A 900m right-abutment rockfill closure dam has a concrete slab face and a maximum height of 50m, and a 4,200m left-abutment earth and rockfill closure dam has a maximum height of 45m.

A spillway with nine spans and radial surface gates has an aggregate 30,000m³/second flow capacity.

A 470m powerhouse is integrated with the main dam with space for 12 generating units (360m) and an assembly bay (110m).

Two transition dams have a 50m intermediate buttress between the powerhouse and spillway. The 238km² reservoir has a 91m normal operating head.

ee also

*Guri (Simón Bolívar)
*List of the largest hydoelectric power stations

External links

* [http://www.edelca.com.ve/generacion/caruachi.htm Oficial site of "EDELCA" and the Caruachi Project]
* [http://www.power-technology.com/projects/caruachi/ "Caruachi Hydroelectric Power Plant, Venezuela" from the Web Site of the Power Industry]

References