In the last days of August, Litostroj Power has successfully completed the last steps in the manufacturing of more than 300 MW Francis runner for Dlouhé Stráně power plant, operated by Czech national utility ČEZ. The runner has successfully passed the last quality inspection before it will be shipped for the installation to the site at Desná River in Moravia.
The 40 tons heavy runner with a diameter of 4,5 meters was welded from two casted parts that were welded in the middle of the blade and machined to specification. It reflects the latest achievement in the development of hydraulic shapes in Litostroj Power Group as it allows to operate on an extremely wide operation range with high efficiency and no cavitation. Runner for Dlouhé Stráně is the hearthstone of the largest single pump turbine unit currently operated in Europe.