The Meander Dam is owned and operated by the Rivers and Water Supply Commission (RWSC).
The dam capacity is 43,000 megalitres (ML) and will supply irrigation water to land owners in the Meander Valley Irrigation District.
The installation of the hydro generator, being carried out by Australian hydro turbine manufacturer, Tyco Flow Control Tamar, as part of the irrigation infrastructure is a typical use of a small hydro generator making efficient use of energy from infrastructure that has an alternative primary function.
Tyco Tamar commenced their on site installation works early in October and it is expected that the station will be fully commissioned in December.
Article continues below…The scope of the Tyco Tamar works included the full design and manufacture of the turbine, valves, full control and electrical equipment, supply of a Teco induction generator, the installation of all mechanical and electrical equipment and commissioning.
The turbine will operate over a wide range of heads and flows from 21 to 42 metres head and 190 to 475 ML/d. The Francis turbine is a unique design, incorporating one entry and two runners with separate discharge draft tubes.
Following the award of the contract to install the generator, Tyco Tamar was also awarded works to integrate the complete control system for the operation of the dam releases.
The demand for hydro renewable energy products in the region has resulted in significant growth for Tyco Tamar. The company have a large array of hydro stations to complete over the next 18 months including eleven on existing water and sewage infrastructure throughout Victoria and NSW.
