In redard to power generation efficiency, diversified clean energy resources and power plant location to solve global environmental problems, demands for dispersed power generation, repowering of existing power plants, etc. are increasing. This paper introduces recent Fuji's developments to meet these needs. The focus is placed on various technologies for improving thermal efficiency and geothermal power, geheration utilizing natural energy concerning thermal power and on low-head bulb turbines, high-specific-speed Pelton turbines, modifications and repairs, and modernization of control systems concerning hydroelectric power.

Free-standing low-pressure blades employed in Fuji's steam turbines have proved their high reliability both in conventional and geothermal power plants. The company has developed new-generation LP blades aiming at higher efficiency based on 40 years' experiences of good operation with free-standing LP blades. New technologies such as 3D time-marching method and lean-radial stationary blades are applied to them. Their high performance and reliability were demonstrated by steam cascade tests, model turbine tests and measurement in actual turbines.

Fuji Electric's experience in the geothermal field has grown continuously since its beginning. During the growth, the company has not only supplied geothermal turbines generator units but also participated in engineering work on the whole geothermal power plant.
This paper introduces the recent geothermal power plants, new technologies, and some operation records.

Fuji Electric has developed new-series air-cooled turbogenerators up to an output of 260 MVA recently. Hydrogen cooling is generally used for output over 100 MVA. However, to extend the advantage of simple operation and maintenance with air cooling, we have doubled the maximum of air-cooled turbogenerator output.
This paper introduces new technologies of cooling and others that support the development of the new-series turbogenerators.

There is a growing demand for industrial-use power plants which are compact, labor-saving, digitized, and of high operation efficiency as well as of efficient energy consumption. This paper introduces developments for control technology, plant technology, and turbine-generator technology to meet those various needs. it also includes outlines of package-type power generating equipment aiming to shorten a construction period and to improve the quality of site work and of FET-ER series steam turbines aiming at high-efficiency, flexible operation.

Siemens gas turbines have been shifting to the advanced model (third-generation type) from the existing model (second-generation type). The first model of advanced gas turbines is V64.3 type (60 MW class) which was put into operation in 1990.
This paper descirbes this Siemens advanced gas turbine and the gas turbine research center which will be located adjacent to Kawasaki Factory using a V64.3 type gas turbine.

Digital control systems have made a remarkable progress. This paper introduces digital automatic voltage regulators, digital protection/interlocking systems for turbines and boilers, and a stand-alone control system, TGR-500, exclusively for small-scale turbine-generator sets. These systems use the latest digital controller MICREX-F500.

This paper introduces the technical features of water turbines put in operation in the last five years. Most of recent hydraulic power plants had small and medium capacities. They have a tendency to cost much per unit capacity, and various new technologies to improve economy have been developed and applied. With regard to large capacities, and particularly many bulb turbines were put in operation, and further development is expected. In Pelton turbines, jet interference was improved and high specific speed and compact design were realized. Total cost reduction including for software is a future subject.

In recent small-and medium-capacity hydraulic-turbine generators, technologies to eliminate cooling water and oil toward maintenance free have been adopted positively. In particular, oil immersed bearings by air cooling in vertical generators, heat-pipe-cooled bearings in horizontal generators, electromagnetic brakes, and fin-cooling systems in bulb-turbine generators have increased actual results and are extending the scope of application remarkably.
This paper introduces these recent technologies and examples and refers to an outline of a compact brushless exciter recently developed.

Programmable controllers (PCs) have come into general use for the control system of hydraulic power plants and are indispensable as the core of control systems. Integrated digital systems based on the PC have been planned and promoted not only in new plants but also in the improvement or innovation of existing plants.
This paper introduces the latest control and protection system for hydraulic power plants.

The development of hydraulic energy of ultra low head less than 20 m has attracted worldwide attention recently. Fuji Electric has manufactured over 40 low-head units since the first delivery to Akao Power Plant, the Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. in 1978. From recent technical trends in bulb turbines and generators, this paper introduces hydroturbine performance, bulb support system, bulb construction, bearing arrangement, welded guide vanes, inverter control of oil pump motors, and various ventilation technologies for generators (fin-cooling system, outer-layer surface direct cooling system, speed control of forced ventilation fans).