Successful Refurbishment Brings Turbine Back to Peak Performance

The refurbished turbine has been in operation since January 4, 2023, although the outdoor facilities were only completed at the end of March 2023 and were in provisional operation until then. To date, there have been no further incidents; only in September 2023 did the entire Mühlbach have to be drained for maintenance work, as is customary every two years.

Despite these challenges, the success of the renovation is reflected in the increased output of the turbine. In January 2024, the full average output of 100 kW was achieved for the first time, which corresponds to an increase of 10% compared to the previous maximum output of 89 kW. This led to a record electricity yield of 70,389 kWh in January, the highest figure since records began in 2003.

The synergy between photovoltaics and hydropower is particularly positive. The combination makes it possible to achieve higher outputs in winter thanks to meltwater, while in summer the photovoltaics compensate for the lower water level. In March, the power plant was already able to operate independently in favorable weather conditions, both in terms of water and solar energy.

The service life of the current turbine is estimated at 20 to 30 years, although minor maintenance work will be required on the outside facilities over the next few years. Although the refurbishment incurred costs, the additional income amounts to €10,000-12,000 per year. This income from the electricity produced clearly exceeds the investment costs.
In summary, the refurbishment has proven to be extremely profitable. In addition to extending the service life of the turbine, an increase in output of 10% was achieved. At the same time, the maintenance costs were reduced thanks to modern automation technology, which makes operation more efficient overall.