Wehr small-scale hydropower plant - Flowing energy
In order to ensure that the Wehra flows, water flowing from it into Wehra reservoir is carried south along a diversion tunnel and discharged into the lower course of the river. There is a dam power plant in the outlet structure. This is a small-scale hydropower plant in which renewable electricity is generated using the power of the river water. The plant benefits from the drop height of between 16 and 36 metres, depending on the fill level of Wehra reservoir. The water then flows into the Wehra and from there into the Rhine.
With its output of 1.3 megawatts, the dam power plant generates up to 3.5 million kilowatt-hours of purely renewable energy every year. Schluchseewerk AG regards this as another important and sensible contribution to the eco-friendly use of hydropower over the long term.
Energy transition
Being able to store electricity in large quantities and generate it within seconds when needed is now more important than ever. The sun and the wind have long been playing their part in generating electricity in Germany and are producing an ever increasing share. Yet these generation sources fluctuate depending on the weather and are unreliable. Pumped-storage power plants come into play when too much electricity overloads the grid or a lack of electricity threatens the supply. They work within seconds, produce zero emissions and generate outputs that rank them among the best of all available storage technologies.
How pumped-storage power plants work
Pumped-storage plants consist of an upper and lower basin. Between them are power plants, which pump water uphill if there is excess electricity and allow it to flow down again through turbines to generate electricity when power is needed. They are precisely tailored to meet the needs of the grid at all times. As such, they help to secure the supply – cleanly, effectively and reliably.
Schluchseewerk AG
With its five pumped-storage power plants, Schluchseewerk AG is one of Germany’s largest suppliers and leading experts. As a partner to its shareholders, it oversees the safe and reliable operation of all its facilities, thereby helping to stabilise the power grid and playing its part in safeguarding the energy supply for today and tomorrow. Schluchseewerk – we are driven by water!
Technical data:
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Construction period: | 1999 to 2000 |
Construction cost: | Around 1 million euros |
Average drop height in metres: | 29 |
Generator output in megawatts (average): | 1.3 |
Water displacement volume: | 4 cubic metres per second |
Runner diameter: | 100 centimetres |
Facts and figures
- The small-scale hydropower plant generates enough power annually to supply around 1,000 three-person households with electricity for one year
- Wehra reservoir is the lower reservoir of Wehr underground hydropower plant and has a storage capacity of 4.3 million cubic metres of water