Syzran Power Plant is one of the oldest in Russia. It is located in the picturesque bend of the Syzranka river. The capacity is rather modest but it still works being a monument of history and architecture at the same time. It’s nice that there are still people who are indifferent to the object.

The plan helps to understand where and what is situated.

1. Syzran reservoir with level 37,5 m and length about 20 km.
2. Spillway part of the dam has 14 bays each 6m wide.
3. Syzran power plant represents a hydroelectric power plant of diversion type.
4. Syzran bend pretty much resembles Samara bend in miniature.
5. Saratov reservoir.
6. Diversion canal.
7. Building of the power plant.

Syzran reservoir looks beautiful in dull winter weather.

Diversion canal bringing water to the head race of the power plant.

This is how it looked in 1929. In 1994-2000 the power plant underwent capital repairs of the hydro systems and the canal, steel plating of the walls.
It’s interesting that no special valves or cranes at the canal entrance are provided. It’s a truck crane and mother wit to help out.

Excursion

Head race

Three shields per one turbine

Stalingrad N/V means on the Volga. The reductors have both electrical and hand gear. But the second one takes about 5-6 hours for lifting.

Going down to the tailrace

Initially the project head of the power plant was equal to 13,5 m. By now it has been decreased to 9,5 m due to the backwater of the Saratov reservoir.

Building of the power plant. The wooden window is the window of the former office of the director, today it’s the room for a little museum.

That very office. On the floor – parquet of the beginning of the last century. Original books and furniture of that time.

The power plant didn’t stop working during WWII. Register of June 1941.

Guide vane, collector ring and generator stator coil.

Circuit breaker with ammeter of a lifting mechanism of turbine pits shields, 1929

Straight joint of the cable line, 1929

Electrodynamic watt measuring device

They began to build the power plant in 1925 almost manually, with shovels and picks. On Nivember 7th, 1929 was arranged a trial run.

“Do not touch the devices! Fatal danger!”

Information materials dated 1909

Some modern devices in the building

The holy place – control room. For about a century some “museum exhibits” have been working here.

This place has never seen accidents

Pre-war measuring devices and equipment

Process control system

On-Off

Pay attention to the incandescence

Place for a man on duty

Warning signs

Warning information posters

In 1947 Syzran heat station and later substation “Syzran-220″ began their work, so Syzran power plant became less significant for the city. Today it’s a non-polluting source of energy that doesn’t depend on coal, oil or gas.

Moscow, Mashinotrest, 1928

Leningrad electromechanical plant “Electrosila” (“electric power”)

Warning signs

Key parameters of the hydroelectric power plant: total capacity 2,04 MW, annual average yield – 5,5 millions kW-h.

Location: Syzran

via ruzovdmitry