Hydroelectric power plants play a very important role in Europe’s power supply, especially in the event of a blackout, as these power plants can resume operation without electricity from outside.
This primarily requires turbines, which are currently being modernised at the dam. Tom Hollerich, Head of Planning and New Construction at Société Électrique de l’Our (SEO), explains exactly what work is being carried out.
“We have to replace our machines here every 30 years, and they were last replaced in the early 1990s. What we are doing exactly? We do a complete overhaul of the generator, the turbines and improve the fire protection. We are also converting our grease-coated bearings to water-coated bearings.”
The whole renovation is expected to cost a few million euros.
While the two generators and turbines are being renovated in Germany before being returned to Vianden, the fire protection and electrical control technology will be completely renewed.
The Vianden mill can produce up to 4 megawatts of electricity that is not fed into the wider grid but is integral to the operation of the SEO. Nonetheless, the fact that the generators and turbines are currently not there has no impact on the operation of the power plant because there are two other machines for the plant’s own needs.
In terms of the dam wall itself, Tom Hollerich assures there is in no need for major works:
“The dam is monitored daily using measuring devices, pendulum ball plumbs and bottom water pressure measurements. And there are no major problems with the wall.”
The Vianden pumped-storage hydroelectric plant was officially commissioned by the SEO in 1964. With a potential output of almost 1,300 megawatts, it is now one of the most powerful facilities of its kind in Europe.
