The new turbine generator went into successful operation in Aubus, central France, on 31 October 2002. The company said it had met its design power output, power factor and quality.
According to va-tech-hydro, the Ecobulb is intended to have a very low impact on the environment, while maintaining efficiency. Among its features are a directly driven synchronous generator unit with permanent magnetic excitation, low maintenance design and the complete removal of oil. It is intended for applications with an output range of 1MW to 4 MW and for heads between 3M and 15M.
VA Tech Hydro has three other Ecobulb units in the design phase.
All three are in the 2MW to 4MW range. They are for the Societe Hydrolelectrique du Golo in the French territory of Corsica and Innergex in Canada.
