Nov 16 2010
Alstom, a pioneer in the field of power generation and transmission and rail infrastructure, launched a new hydropower manufacturing factory in China’s Tianjin, the Alstom Hydro China (AHC).
This unit will put Alstom in the forefront, allowing it to provide for both its indigenous and overseas clients, at the same time expanding China’s robust hydropower market. Almost 22% of the nation’s electricity is from hydropower, and the market is developing at 15 GW per year. The AHC would in time be replacing TAH (Tianjin Alstom Hydro), Alstom’s original facility. It is being erected in two phases with the first phase already functioning. The TAH would operate till the second phase is ready to be operational for a smooth switchover of the workload.
AHC having invested an amount of one billion RMB, or €110 million, is Alstom’s first ever carbon neutral factory in China. Its energy efficient plan incorporates heat recovery systems, double insulation, a geothermal cooling and heating system utilizing 43% less energy, solar photovoltaic panels and rainwater recycling, facilitating the lighting, cooling, ventilation and heating for the complete unit. Moreover, skylights have also been set up to make use of natural light. The Chinese Government’s priority is establishing energy efficiency in buildings, to assist in its endeavor to reduce CO2 discharge by 40-45%, by the year 2020. AHC with a dimension of 250,000 square meters would be producing 20% more than the existing unit. Its capacity would be 30 turbine and generator units every year, with a 20 MW to 1000 MW output range.
According to Philippe Joubert, Alstom’s Executive Vice-President and President, AHC would assist in meeting the demands in the Asian region, being situated in an advantageous site near the Tianjin Airport, with a lot of potential for future expansion . This unit would also contain a Global Technology Centre for R&D research activities. This centre is one of the three centres developed by Alstom, the first and the second being in Grenoble in France and Vadodara in India. Alstom has signed many contracts for generators and hydro turbines with a capacity of 43 MW throughout the country. It has also gained a €50 million contract for the Xiajiang hydroelectric project for supplying 40 MW units.