Strategic valve upgrades deliver $175,000 in annual value while meeting critical shutdown deadline
Our customer, a major hydroelectric producer, was confronted with a significant challenge: rejuvenating their aging dam infrastructure. After decades of continuous operation, the plant was experiencing a steady 2% decline in capacity each year—equivalent to a 3.6 MW shortfall and roughly $145,000 in annual production losses. With 60-year-old valves becoming increasingly unreliable and spare parts hard to source, the stakes were high. The project required a dependable solution that could be implemented within a strict 10-month shutdown window for each generating unit.
The producer's priorities were clear: restore full operational capacity, improve water resource efficiency to meet sustainability targets, reduce maintenance challenges for their team, and ensure long-term reliability—all while meeting their non-negotiable deadline. For the plant operators and maintenance personnel, this project represented not just an engineering challenge but a critical step in securing the facility's future as a reliable source of clean energy for local communities.
Local expertise solving local energy challenges
The hydroelectric producer turned to us as their trusted local partner. Our approach began with an on-site consultation where our engineering team took time to thoroughly understand the plant operators' daily challenges and their vision for the plant's future.
The customer's approval process required detailed 3D CAD drawings before finalizing their order—a potential delay in their tight timeline. Drawing on our Canadian ingenuity and problem-solving approach, our team developed a creative workaround to provide these drawings without additional charges or delays, demonstrating our commitment to their success rather than simply selling products.
Through careful analysis of their specific water flow conditions, we recommended a precisely engineered solution of 3x V150 and a GX valve, each sized for optimal performance in their application. This thoughtful approach not only addressed their technical requirements but also optimized water usage—supporting both economic and environmental sustainability goals.
Results: $175,000 annual value and renewed operational confidence
By focusing on the customer's specific needs, our partnership delivered meaningful results:
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Full restoration of their 182 MW capacity of clean, renewable hydroelectric energy
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Elimination of $145,000 in annual production losses
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Reduced operational maintenance costs by $25,000 annually
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$10,000 in savings through valve size optimization
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Total annual value delivered: $175,000
Beyond the financial benefits, our solution significantly reduced the risk of system failure by replacing aging infrastructure with modern, efficient equipment. Allowing our customer to gain peace of mind knowing their critical infrastructure was now reliable. The optimized system now operates at full capacity with improved water efficiency, supporting sustainable energy production for years to come.
Commitment and Effectiveness: Winning Partnerships
This collaboration exemplifies what it means to be a proudly Canadian automation leader. By applying our expertise to restore this hydroelectric facility, we delivered exactly what our customer needed: reliable performance, reduced operational costs, and sustainable clean energy production.
The hydroelectric producer continues to partner with us for ongoing support and optimization, building on the trust established through this successful project.
As Eastern Canada's leader in automation and reliability solutions, we demonstrate through projects like this dam rejuvenation that local expertise combined with world-class capabilities helps Canadian industries thrive. The restored 3.6MW capacity isn't just a technical achievement—it represents our commitment to strengthening Eastern Canadian industry one solution at a time.