New Pumping Station In Ischgl Ready For Power Generation

In 2022, the Silvrettaseilbahn AG rebuilt the Untere Velillalp (P10) pumping station and made it ready for electricity generation from hydropower. As with all alpine infrastructure projects since 2015, the Tyrolean engineering office AEP provided comprehensive support for the Silvrettaseilbahn AG.

The first systems for the large Ischgl/Idalpe snow system in the Ischgl ski area were built in 1985. Since then, the snow system has been continuously expanded by the Silvrettaseilbahn AG and adapted to the latest technical standards.

Since 2015, the Tyrolean engineering office AEP has taken on essential tasks to support the technical planning staff of the Silvrettaseilbahn AG in the planning and implementation of alpine construction projects. AEP was also responsible for the planning, coordination with the authorities and the approval process, the award of contracts and the technical and commercial site management for the new construction of the pumping station Untere Velillalp (P10).

Ready for own power generation

The aim of the Untere Velillalp (P10) project was the construction of a new pumping station with modern technology and a water tank expanded to 380 m³ to strengthen the snow system in the area of the Prennerhang valley run. As part of the general efforts of the Silvrettaseilbahn AG to reduce CO2 emissions, the decision was made at the beginning of the planning phase in spring 2021 - i.e. before the Ukraine war - to have the new pumping station ready for use as a small hydroelectric power plant close.

"There was an additional need for coordination in the official approval process, since the pumping station draws water from various networks - including sources that feed the drinking water network of the municipality of Ischgl," explains Andrea Ferrai, the responsible team leader at AEP. The quick handling of the coordination and the approval process on the part of AEP was then a prerequisite for starting construction work on the new pumping station in spring 2022.

Flexible interaction

While the local construction supervision was taken over directly by the technicians from Silvrettaseilbahn AG, AEP was responsible for the technical and commercial site management.

"When the client - as is the case with Silvreatteseilbahn AG - is directly on site at the construction site, it has proven to be extremely efficient that we at AEP are available for construction meetings practically 'on call'. This allows us to quickly and easily solve any issues that suddenly arise, which is definitely an advantage for the progress of the construction work,” says Andrea Ferrai.

Modern technology

The new pumping station P10 Untere Velillalp was completed on time in September 2022. A pump with 40 l/s and an outlet pressure of 12 bar is responsible for the snowmaking of the area of the Prennerhang valley run. Furthermore, internal pressure lines and various operating cases were planned.

The pumps come from KSB and are driven by a 90 kW Siemens motor. The transformer of the pumping station is designed for 630 kVA. The construction of the plant and the electrical equipment came from TechnoAlpin, the construction work for the new pumping station was carried out by Swietelsky. Grissemann Gottlieb Erdbau und Transporte was responsible for the earthworks.

Approval procedure for small power plants

While the pumping station Untere Velillalp (P10) for the optimized snowmaking of the Prennerhang is in use from the winter season 2022/23, the preparatory work for the approval process for operation as a small power plant is underway.

To ensure that water for the power plant can be taken from the existing water intakes of the snowmaking system throughout the year, precise water ecological investigations and observations must be carried out over a period of at least one year.

AEP is also playing a leading role in this. Provided the appropriate permits are obtained, the pumping station Untere Velillalp (P10) can be equipped with a water turbine for power generation from 2023 at the earliest.

Already implemented six pumping stations

The pumping station Untere Velillalp (P10) is already the sixth project in the field of pumping station expansion or pumping station construction, which the Silvrettaseilbahn AG has implemented together with AEP.
“In 2015 we looked around for a competent partner for our complex systems. We made the right choice for our cable car company with the engineering office AEP Planung und Beratung GmbH. In addition to the technical expertise, what should be emphasized about the AEP is the quick and uncomplicated processing and the fact that it is always on call,” explains Markus Walser, CEO of the Silvrettaseilbahn AG.

"Since the implementation of our first expansion stage at the Viderboden reservoir in 2017, I have been able to accompany all pumping station expansions and new buildings in the area of the complex large snow system Ischgl/Idalpe with planning, implementation and commissioning. The cooperation with the responsible personnel at the Silvrettaseilbahn AG is excellent and collegial," concludes AEP team leader Andrea Ferrai.

Technical data - Pumping station Untere Velillalp (P10)