Adaptions of a model-tested Kaplan turbine for a cost-effective hydro power plant layout by means of CFD

At present, hydro power as renewable energy is not able to fully participate in the advantage of state-supported feed-in tariffs for green energy. Regular electricity prices are rather low for several years already – with dramatic impacts on hydro power projects as no new investments are made. These days, in order to realize a green field project in Central Europe, new ideas and cost-optimized power plant layout designs have to be developed which differ significantly from conservative approaches. Hydraulic design aspects have to be analyzed in depth and particular attention has to be paid to cost drivers. Each component must not be seen as single simplified component but has to be analyzed cross-linked to all the other components. The overall dimensions have to be reduced in order to reasonably influence excavation costs whereby the intake inflow condition still has to reach a satisfactory level. Additionally, a minimization of the construction depth has to be considered as well. For a new hydro power plant on the river Salzach a thorough investigation of the main components was performed during the project development phase.