PhD theses completed in 2018

The exponential integration of renewable energy sources into smart power generation and distribution networks (SMART GRID) has positive ecological effects but generates major frequency regulation problems that can only be solved by conventional hydroelectric power stations and those with pumping accumulation. In this context, starting from the requirements of the energy systems and the producers of classical and reversible hydraulic turbines, the author approached, with the modern instruments of system theory, the conception, design, modelling, simulation and experimental identification of electrohydraulic servovalves, which are the fundamental components of the systems adjusting the speed and power of hydropower units and other major hydromechanical equipment: valves, rails, gateways, etc. The practical aim of the thesis is the elaboration of a systemic procedure for designing prototypes of industrial digital servovalve suitable for all types of hydroelectric power plants with power between 10 kW and 1000 MW. This range of power requires families of single-stage, two-stage and three-stage servovalves, built entirely based on the author’s design. To facilitate the integration of new servovalves into complex digital automated systems, the studied mathematical models were transformed into subroutines compatible with the numerical simulation analysis programme of the technical systems Simcenter Amesim, greatly simplifying their optimal synthesis. The identification of the equipment and systems studied in the thesis was conducted with experimental data acquisition interfaces PXI produced by NI CORPORATION, assisted by the LabVIEW software package. The author has patented a new technical design of a three-stage electro hydraulic servovalve and applied it for the refurbishment of INGA POWER STATION from CONGO RIVER. Adrien Monsimer