• Sulzer flow equipment and support was recently selected by Eiffage, a leading civil engineering firm in Europe, to propel high volumes of water through a whitewater training course commissioned by the French government in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Situated in natural water along the river Vilaine in Cesson-Sévigné, the waterway features a new pump station with four submersible Sulzer VUPX pumps used to simulate a current and whitewater-like waves. The whitewater training course is being used by the French Kayak team and others to train for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Designed to deliver high flow rates with up to 10 meters in head, Sulzer’s VUPX series of submersible propeller pumps are known for moving large volumes of water quickly. Each of the four five-meter-high VUPX pumps is designed for maximum efficiency, featuring an optimized propeller design and fitted with premium-efficient motors and variable speed drives to ensure reduced energy consumption.

Sulzer provided technical advice and support to Eiffage throughout the project to ensure optimal installation and performance efficiency, including redesign of the pumping station.

Division President Flow Equipment Jan Lueder said: “We are proud to see our flow equipment and solutions supporting Olympic standards in design, performance, reliability and sustainability. Like the Olympic athletes, our teams at Sulzer are highly performance-driven and strive to push the boundaries of what is possible. Whether it’s the challenge of making whitewater rapids or supporting conservation and circularity, we also aim for gold.”

Renaud Adell, Director of Hydraulic Operations for Eiffage, adds: “Reliable pumps that perform efficiently at high flow rates are crucial to this project, and we selected Sulzer for its vast experience across all water applications. Their technical input and support during the installation was extremely helpful to our ensuring maximum efficiency, and we know the French Kayak team is delighted with the challenging waterway. I’d also like to thank the entire project team in the City of Cesson-Sévigné for their great cooperation, which cannot be underestimated.”