Modeling of a Pumped Storage Lower Reservoir to Investigate the Effects of an Uprate on Hydraulic Conditions

摘要

The Ludington Pumped Storage Plant (LPSP) is located along the shores of Lake Michigan in Ludington, Michigan. It was constructed between 1969 and 1973, and is jointly owned and operated by Consumers Energy Company (CEC) and the DTE Electric Company. The plant consists of an upper reservoir that is connected to Lake Michigan (lower reservoir) by penstocks equipped with six reversible pump-turbines with a total designed power capacity of 1,872 MW. Due to an anticipated increase in the need for on demand power, there was a desire to upgrade the capacity of the plants’ existing pump-turbines and generators. A field study of the lower reservoir was completed to measure and document the flow conditions. The data acquired in the field study was subsequently used to validate Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) and Physical Hydraulic Model Studies for the existing conditions. The model studies were then used to evaluate the potential effects and impact the upgrade would have on the hydraulics in the lower reservoir and to derive modifications to improve the hydraulic performance and reduce maintenance of the plant, if needed. The CFD model was used to evaluate flow patterns and identify areas of potential increase in scour to be evaluated further in the physical model. Additionally, the CFD modeling was used to develop the appropriate boundary conditions for the physical model. The physical model was used to evaluate potential hydraulic issues associated with scour and vortex formation, respectively related to both pumping and generating operations. This paper discusses the outcome of the field, CFD and physical model studies and their complementary roles. Areas of concern including vortex activity and potential for scour were identified. Mitigative measures were developed, as needed, to reduce vortex formation from occurring at the lower reservoir intake.