In 2023, almost 27 % of the energy generated in Austria was produced by hydropower, one of the country's most important renewable energy sources. The share continues to grow, as the new small hydropower plant in Lamnitz, municipality of Rangersdorf, shows. In future, it will supply around 800 Carinthian households with electricity. A 1,400 m long pressure pipeline made of glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) from Amiblu transports the water to the turbine - installed in record time.
Fast realisation despite difficult conditions
Fürstauer Bau GmbH from Winklern needed less than five months to lay the pipeline underground. Despite difficult conditions such as steep terrain and restricted access, the route was completed quickly.
The forest location also made on-site storage difficult, which is why the deliveries were precisely coordinated. Thanks to the lightness of the material used, the GRP, construction nevertheless progressed quickly.
Project manager Thomas Meixner from Kelag explains the decision in favour of GRP pipes: „The low weight enables quick installation, especially in hard-to-reach places like Lamnitz. In addition, short delivery routes are important in order to minimise the CO2 footprint. The pipes manufactured in Germany also fulfil this criterion.“
Adaptations to the terrain requirements
Flowtite GRP pipes with a diameter of DN 900 were used for the penstock. Due to the 130 metre drop, the decision was made to increase the nominal stiffness.
The upper part of the route in particular, which is very winding, presented the construction company with challenges. Here, 15 arches and around 430 m³ of concrete were used, as site manager Günther Fürstauer jun. reports.
Despite the difficult conditions and thanks to good weather conditions, the work was completed on schedule in August 2024.
Perfect solution for hydropower projects
According to the manufacturer, Amiblu pipes are particularly suitable for hydropower plants as their smooth, resin-rich inner surface offers optimum hydraulic properties.
This is said to lead to high flow rates and lower friction losses, which maximises the energy yield. In addition, the production of the pipes requires less energy than many other materials.
Contributing to the energy transition
The new Lamnitz hydropower plant, which went into operation in September 2024, generates around 2.8 million kWh of green electricity per year. Interesting side effect:
In winter, the above-ground route is used as a toboggan run. In this way, the power plant not only contributes to the energy transition, but also creates additional recreational value.
