On November 20, the acceptance meeting for the world’s first 300 MW/272.7 rpm pumped-storage generator-motor prototype was held in Harbin, organized by Yalong River Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. (Yalong Hydro).

The prototype developed by Harbin Electric Machinery Company of Harbin Electric Corporation for the Lianghekou Pumped Storage Project underwent joint evaluation by authoritative experts from Yalong Hydro, the design institute, the project EPC contractor, and other entities. The experts unanimously concluded that the design is sound, the theoretical analysis is comprehensive, and the measured data is thorough. They approved the prototype’s acceptance, noting that it will fill the gap in the industry’s product range for 300 MW/272.7 rpm pumped-storage generator-motors.

The successful development of the 300 MW/272.7 rpm generator-motor prototype represents not only a significant milestone in technological advancement for the pumped-storage industry, but also a vivid demonstration of Harbin Electric Machinery Company’s commitment to independent innovation and breakthrough of critical core technology barriers. It holds important strategic significance for advancing the high-quality development of pumped-storage units and facilitating the transformation of the energy structure.

The Lianghekou Hybrid Pumped Storage Power Station is currently the world's largest and highest-elevation hybrid pumped storage facility, as well as China’s facility with the greatest head variation. It is also the first large-scale hybrid pumped storage power station approved in China. The station will feature four 300 MW pumped-storage units, with the Harbin Electric Machinery Company responsible for manufacturing two of them. Previously, the Harbin Electric Machinery Company supplied six 500 MW conventional hydro turbines for the Lianghekou Hydropower Station, all of which were commissioned and began generating power in 2022, demonstrating excellent operational performance across all indicators.

Compared to conventional pumped storage power stations, hybrid pumped storage power stations utilize existing reservoirs as upper reservoirs, offering advantages such as lower project investment, no resettlement requirements, minimal environmental impact, and shorter construction periods. Once the station is fully completed and commissioned, it will effectively optimize the power grid’s generation mix, enhance grid regulation capacity, and provide important support for ensuring national energy security.

To achieve optimal comprehensive performance for the Lianghekou Pumped Storage Project, Harbin Electric Machinery Company's R&D team conducted targeted technological innovation. In the generator-motor design, they adopted for the first time a 272.7 rpm speed design and fractional-slot fractional-pole 4-circuit winding technology, successfully overcoming the industry challenge of matching capacity, voltage, and speed. Meanwhile, by establishing a closed-loop analysis system of “theoretical design - prototype testing - measured data back-analysis,” they comprehensively validated the application effectiveness of the new design and new technologies on the 1:1 scale prototype, achieving optimal compatibility between unit performance and power station operational requirements.