ENGIE Deutschland is upgrading the hydropower plants at the Pfreimd: Scheduled continuation of the reconditioning work

Pfreimd, April 6, 2021 - On April 6, 2021, the second part of the reconditioning work started in 2020 in the Pfreimd power plant group with the emptying of the Rabenleite high reservoir. The fish stock removed from the high reservoir was released in the lower reservoirs of the power plant group. The focus of this year's revision work is the installation and commissioning of four ball valves at the Reisach power plant. These closure devices for two pumps and two turbines protect the machines against the pressure of the 180 meter high accumulated water and are able to close safely within a few seconds.

The installation of the 75-ton units and the commissioning of the four ball valves will take place from the beginning of April to the end of August 2021. The old valves are removed, the concrete foundations are elaborately machined and after installation the oil-hydraulic connexion and the control and monitoring connections are produced. For the safe operation of the modern valves, substantial innovations in the field of power plant control technology are also necessary. Further focal points of this year's revision work are the renovation of pipelines, buildings and electrical and control equipment of the Pfreimd power plant group. Many of this work is due to extensive inspections during the first part of the major reconditioning in 2020.

The reconditioning work is carried out under strict COVID safety precautions. To this end, occupational health and safety was extended to include a comprehensive pandemic concept with strict protection and hygiene measures. These include strictly separate work areas, additional toilet and washroom containers and regular tests.

In 2020, the reconditioning work began with the replacement of the four large machine transformers that connect the pumps and turbines to the 110-kilovolt power grid. In addition, the Reisach power plant's pumped storage units were equipped with modernized turbine control software, and the electrical protection of the generators at the Reisach power plant and their excitation system were renewed. In addition, there were various structural repairs within the power plant group, including at the water lock near the Tanzmühle power plant. 

Important contribution to climate neutrality
ENGIE Deutschland is investing more than ten million euros in the site as part of the major reconditioning, which makes a significant contribution to the transition to climate neutrality. The power plant not only generates CO2-free electricity in running water power plants, but also contributes to the stabilization of the networks with the pumped storage power plants. ENGIE undertook the last major overhaul of the plant in 2015; At that time, the specialist for energy, technology and service had updated numerous mechanical, electrotechnical and control system components, in particular at the Tanzmühle power plant, in addition to the structural repair of the underground pressure tunnels and the high reservoir.