Manara pumped storage plant in Israel. Picture: Voith HydroDue to the global targets for reducing CO
2 emissions, electricity generation from renewable sources, especially solar and wind, is currently enjoying significant growth.
However, these ‘volatile forms of energy’, combined with new market requirements like electro-mobility, not only necessitate ‘corresponding transmission grids’ but also an expansion of energy storage systems.
The Tyrolean company
Tiroler Wasserkraft AG (TIWAG) is meeting these needs by building a large pumped storage facility and has appointed
Voith Hydro to supply pump turbines and all the necessary sub-systems for its Kühtai 2 project.
An extension to the existing Sellrain-Silz power station complex, it will enable the production of renewable energy, as well as the interim storage of electricity from other energy sources, thereby making an ‘important contribution’ to the transition to renewable energy.
Voith Hydro’s two new variable-speed pump turbines, each with an output of 95MW — as well as the necessary control technology and shut-off valves — are scheduled to begin operating in 2026.
The company has also secured an order for pumped storage equipment in Israel, where the government had decided to expand its pumped storage capacity some years ago. Following a ‘long and intensive project development phase’, Voith Hydro was awarded the order for the Manara pumped storage plant at the beginning of February.
The scope of supply includes the delivery and installation of the electrical and mechanical equipment for the complete power unit comprising pump turbine, motor-generator and control equipment (including sub-systems). With an electrical output of 156MW and a head of almost 700m, the system offers a fast response times to changing grid requirements.
The orders from Austria and Israel are worth about 80 million euros.