Mühlau – Small Hydropower Plants with AF-Colenco Ltd (July 2009)
In the area of Mühlau, the waters of the Thur River locatad in the north-eastern part of Switzerland are used already since 1865, to provide power and generate electricity. Mills, using the rivers power and built in earlier years in the picturesque canyon, gave the location it’s final name.
Early this century, the Energie AG Kirchberg (EAK) as the Owner of the actual plant (2.0 GWh annually) decided to renew the existing facility. Major parts of the civil structures as well as of the mechanical equipment had overtopped the usual life span. Further, studies and actual experiences showed that the existing capacities were insufficiently used. In addition, the old, gated weir crossing the Thur River did not reach the diversion capacities required by the Authorities. AF-Colenco was selected to perform studies of sizes and locations of a new power plant, to execute the final design, the tendering, site supervision and commissioning, as well as to perform the required environmental studies.
The existing concept of the power plant with a headrace canal was abandoned; the new run- of-river plant with 2 units and a total capacity of 1’300 kW will now be located right next to the newly designed and gated weir. Beside of others, this layout eliminated the problem of minimum flows in the river bed, and allows making better use of the actual and total flow in the Thur River. With the annual production of 5.1 GWh, the new facility will have an output which is 2.5 times the production of the old system.
Construction started late 2008. Meanwhile, civil construction is under progress – the new dam could be built, and the steel gates are produced and ready for installation. These days, the two draft tubes where poured. The plant will start commercial production in April 2010.
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| Form work for Draftube |
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Weir opening right side of river |
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Pit for Powerhouse and Turbines |
Walter Beeler - Hydropower Plants
AF-Colenco Info May 2009
Selected topics presented in the AF-Colenco Info give an insight into some of our latest projects.
