People have used the power of water for centuries. One would almost believe that the generation of electricity from water has been extensively studied. However, there are always the latest discoveries, even from the Mühlviertel. Hydroelectricity is one of the main pillars of sustainable energy generation worldwide. For that reason alone, the search is worthwhile. In this way, old technology can be continuously optimized.
At Global Hydro in Niederranna – according to their own statements the world market leader in small hydro technology – a team of experts is working on the further improvement of the three types of turbines used worldwide, which everyone knows from physics lessons: Francis, Pelton, Kaplan. The Hydro Lab established at the Mühlviertler company last year offers researchers ideal conditions for research and development. “The interdisciplinary team works closely with the mechanical, electrical and software development departments,” explains Thomas Eder, head of product development at Global Hydro. The area of responsibility is diverse: The HydroLab team is intensively involved in innovative developments in the field of materials testing and measurement technology. Efforts that can pay off for Global Hydro in the short term.
Modified systems in use
“The modified turbines work optimally both when the water level is low and when it is high. In view of the climatic development, this is an extremely important point for the power station operators,” says turbine expert Christian Witti. Until now, two different turbines had to be installed in power plants to provide the right power for each water level. Witti: “Now we can do this with a turbine, which of course saves our customers high investment costs and increases the profitability of the systems.” The modified turbine type can also be easily installed in existing plants.
Global Hydro managers also see great potential in a cooperation project with the Technical University of Munich. The Bavarian university has developed a pit power plant whose infrastructure is completely under water. Global Hydro’s experts have developed the ideal type of turbine for this. “This new type of system is perfect for existing weir systems or low-head irrigation channels, such as those often found in Asia,” Witti explains. With such systems it is possible to generate up to three megawatts of electricity and a first pilot project will be put into operation in Kyrgyzstan in 2024. In the last financial year, Global Hydro generated a turnover of around 57 million euros with around 210 employees.
