Schils, Switzerland

Renewal and energy optimization

ANDRITZ Hydro was awarded a contract for the complete electro-mechanical equipment for the Schils hydropower plant in the Flums Valley in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

In 2014, SAK (St. Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke AG) acquired the historic hydroelectric power plants of the former spinning mill Spoerry & Co. AG. As part of the acquisition, EW Schils AG, part of SAK, committed to rehabilitate the existing facilities in accordance with existing laws and the implementation of several environmental measures. After thorough evaluation and discussions, a very interesting project was developed. The plant, which today consists of five control centers and eight machine groups, will be reduced to one control center with two machine groups (2 MW Aeuli and 12 MW Bruggwiti).

Besides the two Pelton turbines, the scope of supply for ANDRITZ Hydro comprises the delivery and installation of the complete control system, the heating and ventilation equipment, the electrical installation, and the powerhouse crane system.

The new center is SAK’s first project fully based on BIM (Building Information Modeling). This means that the entire project will be engineered as a 3D-model down to the smallest details before project execution starts. The goal of BIM is to discover possible engineering conflicts at an early stage and to coordinate interfaces between the various companies involved as efficiently as possible. The progress of the construction works on site can also be followed via a live webcam from SAK.

Rehabilitation of the plant will increase the total annual energy production by about 20% from 39 GWh to 48 GWh. As a result, about 2,000 additional households will be supplied with renewable electricity.

Construction works were completed on time and installation of the powerhouse equipment is due to be finished by the end of 2020. Currently, wet commissioning tests are taking place and readiness for operation is scheduled for the end of the first quarter of 2021.