Author(s): Julius Maier; Daniel Heim; Kevin Rieger; Martin Weber; Nicole Saenger

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Fish friendly; Innovation; Small hydro; Zuppinger-waterwheel

Abstract: In times of high energy demand, every single kilowatt hour matters. However, even though it contributes to reaching the goal of sustainable and green energy, small hydropower with a performance less than 1 MW is not yet sufficiently utilized. Several hurdles must be overcome in order to get waterwheels into operation. Environmental policies such as the European Water Framework Directive are strict and constructions such as fishways are needed. Fishes and other aquatic life have to be able to pass the site easily and without harm. At Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, a waterwheel has been innovated to enable an ecological operation of small hydropower. The wheel is cut in the middle of its planks, making it a half-planked Zuppinger-waterwheel, also called a half-wheel. While the performance decreases due to the water passing beside the wheel, fishes may have a chance to move upstream from tailwater to headwater. Performance measurements have been completed and evaluated. The analyses of comparing power outputs of the conventional wheel and the half-wheel show promising results.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-90-833476-1-5_iahr40wc-p0467-cd

Year: 2023