Hydropower to provide green energy for Wietersdorf cement plant

The two-year revitalisation of the Wietersdorfer power plant chain along the Görtschitz came to an end in October 2021. A total of twelve million euros have been invested to completely rebuild two power plants and to optimise another. Now producing 18 000 MWh of electricity per year, it is possible to cover a quarter of the total electrical energy requirement for the Wietersdorf cement plant with self-produced green electricity. “Thanks to extensive investments in the latest environmental technology, the Wietersdorf site is now one of the cleanest cement plants in the world. That is why I am pleased that we are taking another important step towards low-CO₂ cement production with the opening of the revitalised power plant chain. But that will not be the end of it. Together we – industry and politics – are called upon to think intensively today about the development of further renewable energy reserves in order to actually be able to implement the green transformation, ”explains Christina Fromme-Knoch, owner representative and chairwoman of the Wietersdorfer Group's supervisory board. With the expansion of the renewable energy supply, the Wietersdorfer are underlining their commitment to sustainable management and a continuous reduction of the CO₂ footprint in the sense of the Green Deal.

State welcomes sustainable development

At today's official opening of the revitalised power plant chain, State Councilor for Energy and Climate Protection Sara Schaar, who was present on behalf of the Governor, underlined the great importance of such projects for coping with climate change: “Our common goal is the energy transition, so that future generations will be one have a fair chance of a happy future in an environment worth living in. With the successful renewal of the Wietersdorfer power plant chain, we have come a step closer to this goal today. "The State Councillor for Economic Affairs, Sebastian Schuschnig, was delighted with the investments in sustainable power supply for the main plant:" Industry in Carinthia has envisaged decarbonisation as one of its core tasks. Sustainable electricity production through the power of nature is increasingly becoming a location factor. "Provincial Councillor Martin Gruber, who himself comes from a neighbouring municipality, also emphasised the great value of such projects for positive development in the region: "Successful companies are an essential driving force Employment and prosperity in rural areas. As the largest employer in the region, the Wietersdorfer Group has not only reduced its ecological footprint by revitalising its power plant chain, but has also made a clear contribution to securing the location in the region”. Gabriele Dörflinger, member of the state parliament and mayor of Klein St. Paul, also took part in the official opening ceremony.

Three power plants deliver 18 000 MWh of green electricity

“With six modern Francis turbines, 18 000 MWh of green electricity are generated in three power plants along the Görtschitz. This means that we can supply a quarter of the Wietersdorf cement plant with self-produced renewable energy. That roughly corresponds to the supply for 3600 four-person households,” explains Florian Salzer, technical director of w&p Zement and responsible for the revitalisation of the Wietersdorf power plant chain. All structural measures were carried out between September 2019 and October 2021. The old power plant in Wietersdorf was replaced by a new one. The two power plants in Hornburg and Eberstein were merged and also replaced by a new building. Finally, the automation technology was renewed at the third power plant in Wieting, which was modernised in 2016. In addition, special consideration was given to accompanying ecological measures at the power plant sites, such as the construction of fish ladders in the area of ??the weir systems.

Apprentices right in the middle of the action

The revitalisation of the hydropower plants was also used by the people of Wietersdorf to give young employees access to exciting practical challenges. A total of six apprentices from the 3^rd and 4^th year of apprenticeship in different branches – from plant/operating technicians to mechanical engineering technicians – had the opportunity to use and expand their skills and knowledge in the revitalisation of the hydropower plants over the past two years.

Wietersdorfer products in use in power plant construction

In the course of the power plant renewal, the entire product expertise of the Wietersdorfer Group was used. For example, the 1900 m of pressure pipes installed come from the subsidiary Amiblu, which specialises in the production of fibreglass-reinforced plastic pipes. The subsidiary w&p Zement in turn produced the binding agents at the Wietersdorf site, which were processed into almost 6000 m³ of concrete by w&p Beton in Klagenfurt, and which were installed during the construction of the power houses and the weir systems.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/24112021/hydropower-to-provide-green-energy-for-wietersdorf-cement-plant/