The revitalisation of the Danube power plant at Wallsee-Mitterkirchen has reached another milestone: turbine no. 3 has a new impeller.
After almost 60 years of service, the Danube power plant Wallsee-Mitterkirchen is getting new machinery. The first of six new Kaplan impellers was successfully installed yesterday. Thanks to extensive preparatory work and the skilful interaction of the VERBUND ship's crew, power plant operations and specialist departments, another important milestone has been reached. The 95-tonne runner was installed at its designated location with millimetre precision.
The new Kaplan runner has an impressive diameter of 7.8 metres. Its design and materials are state of the art. At 65.2 rotations per minute, the impeller alone generates enough electricity to supply an average of 65,000 households per year. The total weight of 95 tonnes requires the team to exercise enormous concentration and precision during loading and, above all, when lifting it into place. The clearance to the runner blade is only 3.9 millimetres.
VERBUND project manager Stephan Benda is extremely satisfied: ‘Everyone is literally pulling together here. From the supplier to the assembly team, our Danube boatmen and the power plant team, everyone is working with great enthusiasm, and the result is impressive. The new runner is not only a technical highlight but also visually stunning.’
This measure is part of a modernisation package for the Danube power plant Wallsee-Mitterkirchen. After the project is completed in 2030, the power plant will be able to supply an additional 18,000 households with electricity from hydropower. (german only)
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