Energy for a sustainable future
Our philosophy
We are only caretakers of the
world and of the resources we pass
on to our children. A sustainable
energy policy, based on the use of
renewable resources, will be crucial
to their future. Hydropower is one
of the frontrunners among the
renewables.
2
As a leading supplier of technology and
equipment for small and medium hydro-
power plants, Wasserkraft Volk AG has
decided to make a significant contribu-
tion to such a sustainable future.
We have built our own factory in
Gutach around this philosophy:
Our own in-house hydropower plant
produces all the electricity needed
for the workshop and office block,
and drives the heat pumps for the
central heating system of the buil-
ding. Excess energy is fed into the
public grid.
Thus we are the first heavy machi-
nery workshop in Europe which is
energy self sufficient and CO2 emis-
sions free.
70% of the building material is tim-
ber from the nearby forests.
The heat insulation of the building
follows the strict standard for low
energy housing and lowers the needs
for heating energy significantly.
The rainwater of the “green roofs”
is collected for service and industrial
uses, saving valuable drinking water.
We believe that industry has a respon-
sibility towards society. Therefore, we
invest more than 5 % of our profit into
ecologically sound social projects.
This philosophy is backed by far
more than 1400 shareholders.

Why Hydropower?
Today, more than ever, a secure and
economic supply of energy is of utmost
importance for industry, business and
private users. Today’s energy resources
such as coal, mineral oil, natural gas and
nuclear power won't remain available
without ever more severe limitations or
consequences on the environment. Re-
duced fossil reserves will inevitably result
in higher energy prices. For nuclear
energy there is today no appropriate
concept for waste disposal, and prob-
ably never will be. Therefore, a basic
shift is necessary towards a preference
for renewable energy sources.
For centuries hydropower has played an
important role for mankind, and it will
further assert itself in future. Many facts
support the use of water as an energy
resource:
H y d ro p o w e r
Hydropower is economical
Low operating costs
Extremely long lifetime of machinery
High operational reliability
Low maintenance
Time proven technology
Hydropower users are free
From price hikes of energy
From difficulties of interconnecting
with a public grid in remote areas
Hydropower is environmentally
friendly
No harmful waste
No consumption of valuable resources
Small impact on the natural
environment
Only 18 %
of the technically exploitable
hydropower potential is used
world wide so far!
Hydropower can become the
No. 1 energy resource!
3
 Competence and Quality
A glimpse into the future – the WKV Conference Room

Know how is acquired

+ experience is earned by applying know how in practice

= competence develops by systematically integrating

experience into the theoretical know how

This process needs time and

opportunity:

Over more than 25 years of its his-

tory, WKV has built hundreds of
power plants in over 35 countries.
Our customers’ satisfaction attests
to WKV's proficiency.

Our staff is our most important re-

source: highly qualified technicians
and engineers design and manufac-
ture for our clients. Continuous trai-
ning ensures the latest know how.
We aim to continuously improve
our competence by systematically
evaluating and integrating into our
work the experience gained from
completed projects.

We design and build not for years

but for decades. Day after day our
equipment has to produce power
reliably. This requires a very high
degree of quality from the design
through to the delivery. We owe
our outstanding position as one of
the market leaders for medium size
equipment to the top quality of our
products.

Not without reasons do we enjoy

the financial backing and trust of
our share holders.

4
Wa s s e r k r a f t Vo l k A G

We have built plants

in over 35 countries
worldwide.
 WKV power plants

Only 18% of the technically exploitable

hydropower potential is used world
wide! A huge energy resource is waiting
to be tapped. Numerous countries could
reduce their dependency on fossil fuels
and nuclear power with hydropower.

WKV makes its own contribution:

Our own hydro plants contribute to

setting the standards for the use of this
enormous potential. We design hydro
plants with utmost technical accuracy
and maximum efficiency. From the
design stage to the commissioning all
relevant ecological and economical
factors will be considered.

6
 WKV's own power plant

Our own in-house turbines

Our factory in Gutach sets the

standards

We are the first heavy machinery work-

shop in Europe and probably the world
which is absolutely energy self sufficient
and CO2 emissions free! The entire
energy is supplied by two WKV Francis
turbines.

The experience, which can only be

gained by operating one’s own power
plants, is directly integrated into our
work. Our clients directly benefit from
it and our share holders appreciate the
economic returns.

WKV Francis turbines

 WKV Scope
of Supply
and Services
… the optimum solution for your project
We run our own powerplants,
hence we really know:
Many may supply machinery and equip-
ment. Yet, a successfully operating
power station requires more: the best
possible matching and integration of
all its components, from hydraulics and
waterways engineering through the
electromechanical equipment up to
the interconnection with the grid.
Consulting engineering/planning
WKV offers consulting services tailored
to each project’s specific requirements.
Our experienced engineers, drawing on
WKV’s extensive know how, are avail-
able for:
Project definition and conceptual
layout
Engineering of hydropower compo-
nents as well as of the complete
system
Layout and design of all the electro-
mechanical equipment
Complete water to wire engineering
8
Delivery, installation, start-up and
commissioning of all electrome-
chanical equipment
WKV stands for mature technology
and designs, first class quality manu-
facturing and maximum reliability
to achieve decades of continuous
operation.
We deliver a wide range of turbines
and select the one best suited for
each application.
WKV offers governing and control
systems ranging from simple manu-
ally adjusted devices up to fully
automatic unattended stations. All
governors are developed, manufac-
tured and tested in our own electric
department.
Each project is carefully and exten-
sively documented, thus ensuring a
reliable supply of spare parts over
decades.
WKV’s own test facilities
WKV turbines and equipment are de-
veloped and continuously improved in
our own test facilities (90 kW). This
allows us to reliably achieve and gua-
rantee a high degree of efficiency.
 The WKV
P e l t o n Tu r b i n e

Characteristics

Head range from 30 m up to 1 000 m well suited to sites with significant

fluctuations in discharge
Capacity up to 15 000 kW
developed for use in demanding
1 to 6 jet designs application with silt laden water

Relative Efficiency
horizontal or vertical shaft optimized jet geometry to achieve
arrangements outstanding peak efficiencies

Jet deflectors for outstanding Spearvalve actuated by either electric

dynamic performance or hydraulic means
Relative discharge

2 or 4 bearing turbine – generator Runner cast from high grade, extre-

arrangements mely wear resistant, stainless steel

maintenance free shaft seal design

WKV Single jet Pelton turbines (425 m net head)

T h e W K V Tu r g o
I m p u l s e Tu r b i n e

Characteristics

Head range from 30 m up to approx. less sensitive than Francis turbines for
300 m applications with silt laden water

Capacity up to 5 000 kW excellent part load efficiencies

1 and 2 nozzle designs, horizontal Jet and runner geometry optimized

Relative Efficiency

shaft arrangement in WKV’s test facility to achieve ex-

cellent efficiencies
Jet deflectors for outstanding dyna-
mic performance – important in case Spearvalve actuated by either electric
of long penstocks or hydraulic means

Relative discharge well suited to replacing low head

multi jet Pelton or high head Francis
turbines with poor part load effi-
ciencies

maintenance free shaft seal design

Runner cast from high grade, extre-

Characteristic water mely wear resistant, stainless steel
path of Pelton / Turgo –
Impulse Turbines

WKV Twin jet Turgo turbine (197 m net head)

 The WKV
F r a n c i s Tu r b i n e

Characteristics

Head range: complete range of specific speed

open flume from 1.5 m up to 10 m runner designs for optimum selection
spiral casing up to approx. 300 m versus synchronous speed

Capacity up to 15 000 kW compact design and low mainten-

ance requirements through rigorous

Relative Efficiency
high peak efficiency selection of the best suited materials

used where flow fluctuation is less 2 or 4 bearing turbine – generator

than 50 % of the design flow arrangements

Bearings rated for at least 100 000

hours of operation Relative discharge

Wicket gates actuated by electric or

hydraulic means

WKV Francis turbines (60 m net head)

The WKV
C ro s s f l o w Tu r b i n e

Characteristics

Head range 3 m up to approx. 150 m maximum efficiency achieved by

using a hydraulically optimized
Capacity up to 2 000 kW blade design
small + large cell

large cell a split vane construction allows an highly sturdy runners

almost constant efficiency between
Relative Efficiency

small cell
100 % – 17 % of full discharge cast or welded guide vanes with
Crossflow Turbine
stainless steel shafts
significant improvements achieved
through targeted research and deve- Guide vanes actuated by electric
lopment in WKV’s own test facility or hydraulic means

Relative discharge economic solution where other tur- robust and stiff housing with
bines prove to be too expensive inspection hole and aeration valve

proven bearing arrangement,

designed by WKV, rated for at least
100 000 hours of operation

WKV Crossflow turbine (52 m net head)

 W K V s w i t c h b o a rd s
a n d c o n t ro l s

Manufactured in our own facilities

We designs and manufactures the WKV supplies the full range of

switchboards and controls at its own equipment from low voltage
workshop, thus providing overall controls up to high voltage
responsibility for the complete station. switchgear.

Controls based on conventional

Your advantages: technology
PLC based controls
clear and precise arrangements, Remote control
quick turnaround on design issues, Annunciation and display equipment
short deliveries Low voltage switchgear up to
3 500 A
factory testing and inspection of the Medium voltage switchgear
complete switchboards and control High voltage switchgear
equipment in our own test facilities Transformers
Energy metering
erection and commissioning by Complete wiring
competent WKV-staff Commissioning and after sales
Service

WKV Switchboards and controls

 The “heart” of the power station

Digital/analogue speed governor Oil-Hydraulic power units

type SRE 2000
This is a complete new development
by WKV. This governor is unique in the
world of controls as it combines the ad-
vantages of both digital and analogue
technologies.
display of the main control parame-
ters
PID controls with the option of ex-
ternal disturbance suppression ensure
stability even in case of long pen-
stocks or instable grid
modular 19” rack design for easy
implementation and exchange of
components
Protection against external faults, all
I/O circuits are protected against
external shorts and reverse polarity
easy adjustment of all main parame-
ters by means of only a screw driver!
No programming software or termi-
nal, no laptop required!
Sensorless speed detection
designed for operation with PLC
based controls or a remote control
system (SCADA)
suited for speed control, discharge
or level control, as well as for double
regulated units (spearvalve/deflector
or guide vanes/runner blades)
sturdy, user friendly design and
technology
WKV offers a complete range of hy-
draulic power units for all control appli-
cations. This includes simple actuators
for parallel operation to a grid (level or
discharge control) as well as the most
complex applications involving isolated
network or parallel operation.
designed for decades of continuous
operation – only the best compo-
nents will be used
low pressure hydraulics for extended
service life
energy saving designs
for most applications there is no
need for maintenance intensive high
pressure accumulators
WKV manufactures the complete
range of governors in-house. All
to your advantage!
Our governors and hydraulic power
units are being used worldwide.

WKV offers a life-time guarantee

on the supply of spare parts and
services!

14
 WKV Governors

WKV Level Controllers for parallel Electronic Load Controller (ELC)

operation
Our water level controllers are designed
to ensure the best possible use of the
available water. Your unit will always
generate the maximum output.
PLC controlled operation to achieve
optimum efficiency for multi jet
impulse turbines as well as for twin
cell crossflow turbines
Indication of the intake water level
Surge protected water level sensors
provide safe operation even under
adverse environmental conditions
User friendly adjustment of set points
ELC’s are designed for smaller units
supplying isolated load as well as for
the emergency power supply of grid
connected units. They keep the frequen-
cy constant by feeding surplus energy
to a ballast load.
suitable for output up to max 400 kW
excellent frequency stability even
during load acceptance and rejection
heavy duty industrial grade electro-
nics especially designed for extreme
ambient conditions

Mechanical governors and

their maintenance

For some applications mechanical go-

vernors may provide significant advan-
tages. WKV offers a full line of such
governors manufactured in house.

Series AA1 – AA3 (250 Nm – 750 Nm)

Series SR50 – 200 (500 Nm – 2000 Nm)
robust and well proven design
completely without any electronics –
best suited for applications in remote
areas

maintenance and spare parts for all

“JAHNS” governors

15
WKV-Equipment, ranges and services

WKV Pelton turbines up to 15.000 kW Wasserkraft Volk AG

WKV Turgo turbines up to
WKV Francis turbines up to
WKV Crossflow turbines up to
WKV Switchgear and controls
WKV Governors
WKV “Water to wire“ design and delivery
5.000 kW Am Stollen 13
15.000 kW D-79261 Gutach/Germany
2.000 kW Tel.: + 49 (0) 76 85 - 91 06 - 0
Fax: + 49 (0) 76 85 - 91 06 - 10
E-Mail: sales@wkv-ag.com
Internet: www.wkv-ag.com

Net head
H [m]

Pelton turbine

Turgo Impulse

Crossflow turbine
up
on
re
qu
es
t

Francis Spiral Casing

up
on
re
qu
es

Francis
t

Open
Flume

upon request

Discharge
Q [ l /s ]