Funil Hydroelectric Power Plant

Funil HPP

Inauguration

December 10, 2002

Installed Power

180 MW

Generating Units

3 UGs

Main River Basin

Rio Grande

Feeding Capacity

Supply of 685 thousand inhabitants

The Engenheiro José Mendes Júnior Hydroelectric Power Plant, popularly known as the Funil Power Plant, was inaugurated on December 10, 2002 and since March 2015 has been part of Aliança Energia’s portfolio of own plants.

It is located in the Rio Grande Basin, in the southern region of Minas Gerais, between the municipalities of Perdões and Lavras. The Funil Plant was built in a record period of 33 months and its first generating unit went into commercial operation 27 months after implementation. The works began in September 2000 and were completed in July 2003, with the delivery of the third generating unit.

The Funil Power Plant has an installed capacity of 180MW with 84.6 MW of average assured energy in operation. This energy would be enough to supply a city of approximately 685 thousand inhabitants.

The plant was the first in Brazil to install the Fish Transposition System (STP) through a complete lifting system. The structure aims to allow the continuity of the migration process of fish species from the Rio Grande. The fish elevator started operating in January 2004 and in 15 years of operation it has transported more than 400 tons of fish.

Come and visit the Funil Hydroelectric Power Plant/MG

Aliança's socio-environmental performance at the Funil HPP/MG

Turbines

The Funil HPP has 3 Kaplan-type turbines, coupled to the three generators with generation capacities of 60MW each, totaling 180MW of installed capacity. This energy is enough to supply a city with about 685 thousand inhabitants.

Spillway

The Funil HPP has 4 regulation gates, which can be activated to control the water level in the reservoir during rainy periods, when there is an increase in the affluent flow. Annually, the floodgates are tested to assess the adequacy of response during opening, they are the so-called Extravasor Tests (check out the video of the tests on our YouTube channel). The structure is designed to withstand decamillenar floods.

Fish Transposition System -STP

The transposition of fish at the Funil HPP is carried out by means of an elevation system, unique in the country, due to the height of the dam.
The System works during the spawning period, from November to February, when the fish go up the river for reproduction. In the STP, monitoring is carried out, which quantifies and qualifies the species. These studies also contribute to the adoption of measures for the protection and conservation of fish species in the region.

Powerhouse

The Power House concentrates the entire operation of the hydroelectric plant. In it, the 4 galleries are located: electrical, mechanical, piping and suction and also the Generating Units for energy production. The powerhouse also houses the control room, from where the systems and equipment that make up the Funil Plant are operated. The Funil HPP is tele-assisted and can also be operated from Cemig’s Operation Center in Belo Horizonte.

Auxiliary Dam

The dam of the Funil Plant is 50m high, from the crest to the base, and is made up of part concrete and rockfill, a mass composed of compacted rock blocks and earth. The structure has dozens of stability monitoring equipment.

Substation

The energy generated at the Funil Plant is taken to a substation, a high-power electrical installation, and from there it goes to the distribution lines. From there, the energy is distributed by the local energy distribution companies.