Hydropower Plant Stegenwald

Draft design of the machine concept and hydraulic development

The Stegenwald hydropower plant (Salzburg, Austria) went into operation in September 2025 and is setting new standards in hydropower with its innovative technology.

We are delighted to have supported the project by assisting with the draft design of the machine concept and the subsequent hydraulic development of the turbines.

From draft design of the machine concept to turbine concept

In order to reduce the overall width of the power plant, the idea arose to rotate a classic vertical Kaplan turbine with a concrete semi-spiral concrete housing 90 degrees horizontally and replace the elbow-type draft tube with a straight draft tube.

To save on construction depth, an unconventional spiral was designed based on the model of a pump intake sump.

Optimised space requirements and environmental protection

The Stegenwald hydropower plant project has resulted in a modern facility that combines maximum efficiency with optimised space requirements. An innovative machine concept and extensive investments in environmental protection underline the forward-looking nature of the project. Using state-of-the-art numerical methods, a hydraulic concept was developed that not only exceeds all requirements but also guarantees additional safety for long-term operation.

Find out more interesting details about our draft design of the machine concept and hydraulic development here.