Andritz to Modernize Innertkirchen 1 and Handeck 2 Hydropower Stations
Andritz Hydro, part of international technology Group Andritz, has received an order from Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG (KWO), Switzerland, to supply two Pelton turbines and one synchronous generator as part of the project to extend Innertkirchen 1 and Handeck 2 hydropower stations.
Commissioning is scheduled for 2016. The project to modernize the two plants built over 60 years ago makes a substantial contribution towards covering peak energy demand to compensate for volatile wind and solar energy supplies. Due to the modernization, an additional 70 gigawatt-hours will be generated every year, thus covering the energy demand for more than 14,000 households.
The order comprises supply, installation, and commissioning of two vertical, six-jet Pelton turbines with an output of 150 and 90 megawatts, respectively, and of a vertical synchronous generator (output: 165 megavolt-amperes) including additional equipment. This upgrade will boost the overall output of the two hydropower plants by 280 megawatts to reach 670 megawatts.
By building a second head race, the flow rate of the water and thus the friction losses in the pressure pipes will be reduced. As a result, more energy can be generated from the water volume used in both power stations. A new return water reservoir also upgrades the plant to provide ecological benefits.
With 26 units in nine hydropower plants, Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG, one of Switzerland’s leading hydropower plant operators, provides a total output of approximately 2,350 gigawatt-hours, representing around 7% of the total output from all Swiss hydropower plants.
Source: ANDRITZ AG
