The overhead crane was successfully installed in mid-February PHOTO: Porr

Porr Tunnelbau has completed the concreting of the crane runway beams for the Rudolf Fettweis power plant conversion in Germany.

After the concrete had hardened, the anchors were tightened. These ensure that the crane runway beams are securely fixed PHOTO: Porr

The crane runway is used to transport materials during the construction period. The crane runway beams serve as supports for the wooden vaulted ceiling of the Schwarzenbach part of the cavern. After the required hardening time of the concrete, the anchors were tightened to ensure the beams were fixed securely. The formwork, which served as a support structure during the work, will then be systematically dismantled.

The crane was lifted into place in mid-February.

Installation of the crane runway beams follows the breakthrough of the energy diversion tunnel and its full connection to the cavern in mid-January.

Excavation on the Schwarzenbach access tunnel began in early February. The access tunnel will create a connection between the surge tank and the shaft head cavern. From there, raise-boring work will be carried out this summer, in which a circular shaft will be drilled from bottom to top along a pilot bore. This work is essential for the further construction phases and is an important prerequisite for the planned infrastructure.

The total excavated length of the project is around 5.3km, of which around 4.7km is tunnels.

The power plant cavern is approximately 123m long, 20m wide and 42m high. In total, around 400,000m3 is being excavated, of which 200,000m3 is intended for water storage in the main and secondary tunnels.

The final concreting of the crane runway beam was completed at the end of January PHOTO: Porr

Construction works started in autumn 2023 and the project is due to be completed in 2027.

The heritage-protected run-of-river power plant was commissioned in 1914 and converting it to a pumped storage power plant will significantly increase its efficiency.