02 APR 2024

Iberdrola España brings its renewable hydroelectric facilities closer to Basque students

  • Industrial Engineering School graduates from Bilbao and VET students of Automation and Industrial Robotics from Zeanuri municipality check CH Barazar operation in Bizkaia

  • These initiatives are aimed at promoting and showing Basque company's work to future professionals in the sector

26 students visited Iberdrola España's Barazar CH, located in Bizkaia. A group of 12 students in the 1st year of the Industrial Engineering Master's Degree, specialising in Hydraulic Engineering, from Bilbao School of Engineering; and 14 VET students in the 1st year in Automation and Industrial Robotics from the Electrical Department of Zulaibar Secondary School in the Biscay municipality of Zeanuri.

Iberdrola España's CH Barazar is a renewable hydroelectric facility owned by Iberdrola España. This facility uses water from the Urrunaga reservoir, located in Álava, and supplies a large part of the consumers in the metropolitan area of Bilbao. The Barazar hydroelectric power station has a head of 330.3 metres and was commissioned in 1957. It has an installed capacity of 84.32 MW.

During the students' visits, which took place during the month of March, they received a masterclass given by Igor Uriarte Corcuera, Head of the power plant; and Diego Ruiz Muñoz (Head of the Miranda-Barazar production centre). They explained how a hydroelectric power plant works, producing electricity as a renewable energy source.

Afterwards, during both visits, they entered the cavern and went down to the turbine hall. There, they could see in situ how two vertical Francis turbines with a total of 84 MW receive 28.8 m3/sg (14.4 m3/sg each) with a head of 330 m. These turbines drive the coupled synchronous electric generator, transforming energy into electricity (152 GWh/year).

In addition, explained the key role of reservoirs and power stations in the water supply to Bilbao. Bilbao's water is stored in the Ullibarri and Urrunaga reservoirs and is "pumped out" through the Barazar power station to Bilbao.

Hydroelectric power plants are key to generating 100% clean renewable energy. Furthermore, reservoirs’ key role lies in laminating possible floods, especially floods in times of heavy rainfall, prioritising the necessary use of water for citizens, while protecting the possible floods in the Zadorra basin.

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