Franciolini Power Plant

Downstream fish guidance system at small run-of-the-river hydropower plant in central Italy.

Location: Castelplanio, Ancona, Italy
Commissioned: 2016

Type: Headpond

Project description

The Franciolini Power Plant is a run-of-the-river hydropower facility on Fiume Ecino in the Province of Ancona, Italy. ENEL SpA operates the power plant and retained Smith-Root to direct downstream-migrating trout and barbel to a spillway gate rather than the power headrace gates.

With assistance from Smith-Root’s partner in Italy, Aquaprogram s.r.l., a design was developed that featured a low and variable voltage pulsed DC field enabled by a pair of vertical electrode arrays. The pulsed DC field created by the guidance system was constructed and commissioned in Autumn 2016. Smith-Root prepared the barrier design and manufactured the guidance system equipment, and Aquaprogram provided on-site project management and commissioning services.

Services provided

Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Software Development and Engineering
Equipment Supply

Site characteristics

Pulsators: 1.5kVA POW
Pulsator Qty: 1
Power Output: 700W max. with variable voltage output
Water Depth: 2.0 meters
Waterway Width: 19.3 meters
Water Velocity: <1.1 m/s
Conductivity: 300-500 µS/cm