Small hydroelectric power plant in Salzburg receives final touches

The pilot year is over. The power plant is off. “We are currently still working on many adjustments, such as reducing noise emissions,” says Franz Kock, head of the environmental energy exchange responsible for the project. There is a simple reason why the SINNhub mini-hydropower plant is out of operation: The Alm is currently being cleared for several weeks. This normally provides the energy needed for power generation. While the Alm is empty, the power source continues to operate. “That is what the mini-hydropower plant in Siesenheim is currently providing us with.”

Operation from end of September

The power plant in Riedenberg will be back in operation at the end of September. “We use the 1.50-metre-high canal to drive a hydroelectric screw with which we generate electricity,” says Kock, explaining how it works. Around a million euros have been invested in the power plant, and a few thousand euros have been added for various adaptation measures. Of all the adjustments that have been made and are still planned, according to Kock, the following point is fundamental: “To operate the power plant in such a way that, on the one hand, the highest possible level of electricity generation is ensured, and on the other hand, to keep the noise pollution of the neighbours as low as possible.”

As a social and economic non-profit, you have a clear obligation. Cook explains the noise pollution problem as follows: The overall noise level dropped by 10 decibels when the power plant started operating. “The water that is now being treated by the power plant was falling freely 50 metres up.” However, the lower baseline sound level means that some of the noise from the power plant or falling water is now more noticeable. The goal here is to make improvements where possible.