Since August 2006, after a four-month construction period, the facility that supplies the two communities with water has now also become a producer of 600,000 kWh of eco-electricity, matching the electricity consumption of 170 households. To use the water which falls from a height of 391 m for electricity production, the two partners joined forces with the turbine builder Troyer from South Tyrol.

Together they devised a surprisingly simple concept, which consisted in interposing a power station in the existing drinking water piping system. The power transmission lines in this area had to be upgraded to facilitate a seamless distribution of the energy generated. IKB chief executive Elmar Schmid underscores the important side benefit of this measure: “Stepping up the power grid ensures higher voltage, which in turn improves the quality of electricity supply. Now, for instance, it is even possible to supply the mountain areas of Aldrans with higher-voltage electricity.”

IKB chief executive Harald Schneider also takes pride in the accomplished eco-energy project: “The Schreyerbach power station allows us to tap a new energy source with only minimal effort. And it all works without the need to interfere with nature as the essential components ranging from catchment to piping system have already been there.” What adds to the eco-friendliness of the plant is the low-noise and low-vibration conversion of pipe pressure inside the by-pass port in case of a power station breakdown.

The system automatically switches between drinking water supply (which always has priority) and electricity production. The water level inside the collecting shaft is kept constant via a fully automated water-level control system. A hydraulically and weight-actuated rotary valve preceding the turbine regulates the water flow. The water is processed through a one-nozzle Pelton turbine.

The steel-concrete powerhouse additionally accommodates a generator (120 kVA; n = 1,500 r. p. m.), a low-voltage switching system, the control, automation and generator field, and batteries for emergency operation. The energy produced (less the energy needed for self-consumption) is transformed from 400 volts up to 950 volts and transmitted to the Starkenbühel substation via an existing 1 kV underground cable, where it is fed into the low-votage grid. All plant components in contact with water are specially designed and material-tested for safe use in drinking water supply.

Project participation is proportionate to drinking water consumption: Aldrans holds a two fifth share, which is expected to earn the community an annual e 17,000 in electricity revenues. IKB holds the remaining three-fifth share in the e 450,000 drinking water power station. IKB is also in charge of plant operation and maintenance. The power station is connected to the IKB control centre (at Langer Weg) through wireless communication.
(Source: aqua press Int. 4/2006, Mag. Christof Hahn)

Contact & Information:

IKB Stromerzeugung
DI Herbert Schmid
Sillwerk 1
6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Planning coordination:
wasser tirol

Project execution:
Turbinenbau Troyer
Karl-von-Etzel-Straße 2
39049 Sterzing, Italy