Russian engineers to revive German-made turbines at Luzhskaya-2 plant

Engineers and students from St. Petersburg Polytechnic University are working to reactivate the Luzhskaya-2 hydroelectric plant on the Bystritsa River. The project focuses on reviving heavy Voith/Siemens turbines manufactured in Germany in 1947, which have been out of operation since 2009.

Rather than replacing the entire system, the team is retaining the core components and upgrading them with modern technology. The modernization process involves using laser scanning, 3D modeling, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to create a 1:1 digital twin of the turbines. Key upgrades include installing new impellers and guide vanes, as well as removing the old dual-turbine common shaft structure to optimize operational space.

The technical improvements aim to reduce the design water flow by half. The first upgraded unit is expected to return to the power grid by 2027.