Hydropower plant – Outardes-2
Hydro-Quebec
Baie-Comeau, Canada
2018-2022
SIMCO (formerly Cosigma) was mandated to perform load-bearing capacity calculations for several structural systems of Hydro-Québec’s Outardes-2 generating station as part of the preparation for the turbine generator unit (GTA) power increase project. Located on the North Shore near Baie-Comeau, the Outardes-2 plant has been in operation since 1978 and is equipped with three turbine generator units, for a combined installed capacity of 523 MW.
Detailed Structural Assessment
To address the higher structural loads introduced by the new equipment, SIMCO performed the following analyses:
- Capacity of the alternator floor under various loading scenarios for the storage of turbine generator (GTA) components
- Capacity of the mezzanine level floor
- Analysis of the crane runway girder and other crane supporting structural elements
- Partial analysis of the steel superstructure, including crane runway columns and bus duct opening enlargements
- Partial capacity analysis of the valve gallery platform
- Analysis of the stator support bases
Modelling of the Superstructure
Using advanced numerical models, SIMCO assessed the combined effects of dead loads, live loads, dynamic crane loads, climatic loads, and additional loads associated with the modernization of equipment.
Thanks to this analysis, SIMCO provided Hydro-Québec with a clear, actionable understanding of the structural performance of the generating station. The study identified true capacity limits, highlighted critical zones, and proposed concrete strategies to optimize the integration of the new equipment.
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