Voith Hydro Gear Units – High-Power Gearboxes for Utility-Scale Hydropower Plants | Francis, Kaplan & Pelton Turbines | 10–300+ MW, German Engineering

Voith Hydro Gear Units

Overview

Key Features

• Power Range: 10 MW to 300+ MW per unit
• Turbine Compatibility:
  • Francis: Medium-head (50–400m)
  • Kaplan: Low-head (3–40m), adjustable blades
  • Pelton: Ultra-high-head (200–2000m), multi-jet configurations
• Gear Design:
  • Parallel shaft or right-angle
  • Multi-stage helical/planetary gearing with double-helical pinions for load balancing
• Materials & Build:
  • Forged alloy steel gears, nitrided or case-hardened surfaces
  • Modular housing for easy maintenance and on-site repair
• Integrated Diagnostics:
  • Real-time monitoring of vibration, oil quality, temperature, and bearing wear
  • Compatible with Voith’s HyCon® digital hydro control system

Technical Highlights

• Input Speed: 60–1000 rpm (turbine-dependent)
• Output Speed: Matched to generator (750–1800 rpm)
• Lubrication: Forced circulation with dual-filtration and oil-water cooling
• Service Life: 40–50 years with scheduled overhauls
• Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IEC 60034, DNV-GL, FSS (Foundation Safety Standards)

Ideal Applications

• Large NHPC/SJVN projects (e.g., Parbati, Nathpa Jhakri, Teesta)
• Inter-state hydro corridors (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh)
• Pumped storage plants (e.g., Koyna, Sharavathi upgrades)
• Modernization of legacy hydro stations under MNRE’s renovation programs