Energy through hydroelectric power plants
Will there soon be run-of-the-river power plants on the Elbe again
The University of Magdeburg is coordinating with the growth center Fluss-StromPlus for the prospective generation of energy on Europe’s waterways.
The Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg is supporting the prospective generation of energy on Europe’s rivers with four research projects. Under the regional growth center Fluss-StromPlus, the intention is to implement environmentally friendly energy generation through ecologically sound run-of-the-river power plants in the near future.
On 27 September 2016, logistics operators, mechanical engineers, process engineers, river ecologists, energy companies, and representatives of environmental organizations and associations will meet for the first time and will discuss the current research state. Amongst other things, this will involve flood protection and fish-friendly weirs, drinking water production and remote monitoring of turbines, and also the demands of customers and investors.
Scientists from various faculties at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg are involved in the network’s four our of a total of five research sub-projects.
Amongst others, process engineer Prof. Dominique Thévenin is simulating the rivers’ complicated flow and turbulences at the Faculty of Process and Systems Engineering’s testing facilities in order to hydrodynamically optimize the newly developed turbines and waterwheels. “The research on waterwheels was halted at the end of the 19th century, since turbines were much more efficient thanks to impoundments. We are therefore picking up where our colleagues left off 130 years ago, but with completely new methods. I’m very curious to see what we will be able to gain with modern technology,” says the flow expert.
More information at www.flussstrom.eu.
(Source: OVGU press release)