Research

The LHT conducts theoretical and applied research on a range of topics in the scientific area of hydraulic turbomachinery and hydraulic installations. The research activities are supported by PhD students, undergraduate students and scientific associates, and funded by public or private entities.

The main research directions of the LHT are:

Design, drawing, construction and testing of prototype models of hydraulic turbomachinery (pumps of hydroturibens of all types).
Numerical analysis of steady and unsteady flow fields developed in hydraulic turbomachines, and simulation of transient flow mechanisms (water hammer, cavitation, etc), using in-house computer codes and commercial software.
Numerical design optimization of pumps and hydraulic turbines parts, and of various hydraulic components.
Analysis of hydrological, topographical, financial and other data for best techno-economic exploitation of water falls and hydraulic potential, and for optimum sizing of pumping stations, pipe networks and small hydroelectric plants.
Development and application of in-house software for the simulation and optimization of combined operation of pumps and hydroturbines with other renewable energy sources (wind, solar, wave etc), for power production inf small autonomous grids (pumped storage and hybrid power plants), as well as to support large scale penetration of RES into interconnected electric grids.

Research projects

Ongoining and completed research projects

"Optimum design of pump turbines focusing on increased fish friefdliness while maintaining high efficiency, (YDROVIO)",NSRF 2018-2020
“Laboratory Tests of Prototype Models of Francis Hydroturbine”, Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon S.A. (U.K.), 2020
““Laboratory Tests of Pelton Model Turbine Runners”, Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon S.A. (U.K.), 2017-2018.
“Modelling, numerical investigation and design optimization of a novel hydroturbine hopper”, Region of Epirus, Greece, 2016-2017.
“Development of a turbine selection software”, Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon S.A. (U.K.), 2015-2016
"Optimum design of a centrifugal pump for efficient turbine operation in a hydroelectric system suitable for building, industrial and agticultural use, (YDROVALIS)", NSRF, 2013-2015
“Renewable Energy Sources Transforming Out Regions – Hydro (RESTOR Hydro)”, EU, Promotion / Dissemination Projects, [CIP-IEE-PROMO-P], 2012-2015.
“Improving the Performance of Concentrating PV by Exploiting the Excess Heat through a Low Temperature Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle”, EU, FP7, SMES-2012 (subcontractor), 2013-2015.
“Theoretical/Technical evaluation and laboratory testing of sewage pumps”, NSRF, 2012-2014.
“Development of a small-scale low-temperature Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle engine with optimised scroll expander and evaporator”, NSRF, Greece, 2012-2014.
“Facilitating Energy Storage to Allow High Penetration of Intermittent Renewable Energy (STORE)”, EU, FP7 INTELLIGENT ENERGY, 2011-2014.
“Development of cost effective power take off system for marine energy applications (AQUAGEN)”, EU, FP7, SMES-2010, 2010-2014.

Development and experimental validation of a 2-stage autonomous organic rankine cycle for desalination with the reverse osmosis method, NSRF 2007-13, (2010-2013)
Development and laboratory testing of improved action and matrix Hydro turbines designed by advanced analysis and optimization tools (HYDROACTION), EU, FP7 Cooperative programme (Energy), (2008-2011)
Design of a hybrid wind-hydro power plant with pumped storage for Lesvos island (2009)
Simulation and optimization of the hydrodynamic design of a ship ballast water treatments system (2009)
Investigation of the possibilities of constructing pumped storage units in regions of the interconnected electric grid system of Greece (2008-2010)
Development of a numerical method for free surface flows based on the SPH technique (2007-2009)
Feasibility, sizing and evaluation of hybrid pumped storage systems for the Greek islands (2007-2008)
Design, construction and experimental evaluation of a small Pelton turbine (150 kW) (2006-2008)
Development of know-how for the design of mediu,-head impulse hydroturbines (2006-2007)
Fluid dynamics study and design of blades of hydraulic turbomachines (2005-2007)
Design, construction and testing of a small Pelton turbine with surface parameterization and optimization (2004)
Laboratory test rig and experimental study of a centrifugal pump impeller (2004)
Numerical simulation and optimization of a hydraulic-hybrid system for recovery of wind farms rejected energy of Lasithi, Geece (2002-2003)
Numerical and experimental study in the trifurcation of the reversible hydroelectric power plant of Thissavros, Greece (2001)
Identification of the techno-economic exploitable micro-hydroelectric potential in Greece (2000)
Integrated regional action plan for the development and exploitation of Euboea's small hydropower potential (1998)
Design and contruction of an axial flow solenoid hydroturbine model (1998)
Design and construction of a laboratory Pelton turbine model (1997)
Design and construction of a hydroturbine model of cross flow (Banki) type (1996)