VERBUND's large-scale power plant receives eco-certificate

VERBUND, Austria’s leading electricity company, is increasingly putting the focus on improving efficiency and technical innovation. Optimised application and monitoring of the Danube power plants via centralised plant management, cutting-edge control technology and sophisticated process support – this is the magic formula for future electricity production on the Danube. All nine VERBUND Danube power plants will be monitored and controlled via Vienna-Freudenau.

Since 2003, the VERBUND power plants have been gradually converted to the cutting-edge processing and control technology. The total costs run to 43 million Euro. "The Austrian Danube power plants form the backbone of domestic electricity production. They generate so much electricity that, mathematically speaking, it would be possible to supply all Austrian households with electrical energy. On account of this great importance alone, we view it as our responsibility to continuously maintain the plants in a state-of-the-art condition and to utilise all optimisation potentials," said Ulrike Baumgartner-Gabitzer, VERBUND board member responsible for hydropower.

Remote control and monitoring around the clock
From July 7, all Austrian Danube power plants will be operated remotely via the Vienna-Freudenau control headquarters. A more coordinated and target-oriented application will thereby be possible even faster and safer. Karl Heinz Gruber, Technical Director of VERBUND Hydro Power AG, underlined the innovative character of the long-term project: "We are proud that, by means of the installed automation and control technology, we are moving on a top global level and are thus able to make a very significant contribution to the security of our plants and to flood control on the Danube."

The control room is manned – around the clock – by specially trained personnel. "With a qualitatively high level of employee training in both simulation and practical experience, we are equipped for a smoothly running operation," says Michael Amerer, Commercial Director of VERBUND Hydro Power AG. The core of the "power plant pilot" training is the "virtual power plant", a simulation programme developed by VERBUND together with the power plant school in Essen (D) and ANDRITZ Hydro. This permits a realistic exercise in power plant implementation.

Securely and optimally equipped for every eventuality
In the event of flooding or malfunctions, all Danube power plants can be manned by local personnel within the shortest space of time. The present power plant control rooms will remain in existence.