Research
Our mission is to develop fundamental and applied knowledge on fluid machines and energy systems.
Innovation
Our mission is to provide knowledge and innovative technologies to industries making leaders of the market of the future.
Teaching
Our mission is to transfer our knowledge on fluid machines and energy systems to the engineering students.
Overview & Laboratory Profile
The TES Lab (Turbomachinery and Energy Systems Laboratory) represents one of the five European centres fully equipped for conducting experimental activities in hydraulic machines. Located within the Department of Industrial Engineering (DII) at the University of Padova, the facility features state-of-the-art Francis, Kaplan, and Pelton turbine test rigs, alongside a versatile pump test rig.
In response to the evolving European energy landscape, the infrastructure has been adapted for innovative experimental campaigns on hybrid storage systems—combining hydropower assets with other energy storage vectors—as well as detailed investigations into the transient behavior of pumped-hydropower components.
Core Testing Capabilities
The facility is engineered to support a wide range of analytical and empirical testing protocols for academic research and industrial validation:
Hydraulic Component Validation
Comprehensive validation of hydraulic component design, performance mapping, and optimal operational strategies under varying head and discharge conditions.
Steady & Transient Behavior
In-depth analysis of steady and transient behavior of hydropower components, pumped-hydro storage systems, and hydraulic turbines during load variations and emergency shutdowns.
Cavitation Analysis
Detailed evaluation of cavitation inception, bubble dynamics, and erosion risk mitigation on runner blades and casing structures.
Technical Equipment & Infrastructure
TESLab's hardware infrastructure comprises precision hydraulic test loops paired with high-frequency data acquisition systems:
🌊 Open-Loop Hydraulic Circuit
Equipped with state-of-the-art Francis, Kaplan, and Pelton turbine test benches, high-precision electromagnetic flowmeters, and adjustable head tanks.
🔄 Closed-Loop Pump Test Rig
Dedicated closed-loop test rig designed for testing centrifugal and reversible pump-turbines under controlled pressure and temperature parameters.
Education & Training Programs
Advanced Course on Modeling and Grid Integration of Energy Storage Systems
This course is specifically designed for students, researchers, and professionals with a strong interest in improving their knowledge in the field of energy storage, particularly in its integration into the electrical grid.
The curriculum focuses on the use of energy storage models using Matlab/Simulink to integrate into different applications related to energy management. It extensively covers the real operation and control of different energy storage technologies connected to the grid, operating both independently and as hybrid energy storage systems.