Francis turbines are returning to the Křižík power plant after renovation, they will start generating electricity in May
The historic Francis turbines at the Křižík power plant in Písek will start generating electricity again. The city had the facility renovated and today began its installation in its original location. The heaviest parts of the turbines were moved by crane, followed by assembly, electrical connection of individual parts of the technology and operational tests. The work should be completed by the end of April, and the facility should start generating electricity again from May.
The original synchronous generator
“We are now implementing the first stage, which includes the reconstruction of the mechanical technology and its commissioning. The second stage will then include the reconstruction of the rough screens and the substructure,” said Deputy Mayor Petra Trambová. According to her, the footbridge will also be renovated, which could provide access from Podskalí Street to the island by the power plant in the future. The city is already working on the third stage of the reconstruction, which will affect the city power plant itself, where a new exhibition should be created in the future in cooperation with the Prácheň Museum in Písek. The project also includes making the adjacent island accessible or a place for a café. "This is the largest and most expensive part. We are currently just before submitting an application for a building permit," added the deputy mayor.
Broken parts
The first stage of the reconstruction included partial structural repair of the turbine fountain and dismantling of the Francis turbines TG1 and TG2. The contract was carried out by the company Vodní stroje Pavelka, which, among other things, manufactured new turbine shafts and bearings, dismantled the turbine impeller and repaired cracks.The repair was quite demanding, as individual parts of the equipment showed extensive wear and damage, which was discovered after the turbine was completely disassembled. The technology renovation has been underway since last June. “The Křižík power plant is a cultural monument, and the method of the entire reconstruction corresponds to this.
Impellers
Great emphasis is placed on ensuring that the restored and reconstructed parts correspond as closely as possible to their original form, structural design and materials used. The reconstruction is therefore not just a technical intervention, but a sensitive restoration of an exceptionally valuable historical facility. All work is therefore carried out in coordination with the monument preservation authorities,” said Tomáš Hrdý from the Písek Energy Administration.
However, the significance of the power plant is not only historical. “The restored operation is to be part of modern urban energy and smart management of locally generated electricity, which is to be used primarily in urban buildings in such a way that it has the greatest benefit for Písek,” noted Tomáš Hrdý. According to him, the project shows that even historical infrastructure can fulfill a real function today, strengthen the city's energy self-sufficiency and contribute to a more efficient use of renewable resources. The Písek power plant is the first public municipal power plant in Bohemia. It was created by rebuilding the original Podskalský mill after František Křižík successfully demonstrated the lighting of the city center with arc lamps in Písek on June 23, 1887. Písek thus became the first city in Bohemia with permanent public electric lighting. After about a year of trial operation, the power plant was officially launched on August 31, 1888 and was initially powered by water wheels on groundwater. Since 1901, two Francis turbines have been operating in it. The power plant, including its machinery, has been a cultural monument since 1991.