The Zermatt hydroelectric power company, which operates three hydroelectric power stations in the famous Valais resort, discovered cracks in the shaft of the machine set in one of its installations a few years ago during a regular inspection.

When faced with the choice of repairing the more than 40-year-old machines at KW Findelnbach or effecting a complete replacement, the operators decided to have the entire electromechanical equipment replaced by Troyer AG the South Tyrolean hydroelectric power specialist. The new four-nozzle Pelton turbine, which went into operation almost a year ago, now has a capacity of approx. 4.3 MW, about one third more than the existing capacity, also not least owing to a slightly higher flow rate. At the same time, noise abatement played a major role in the conversion. For this reason a comprehensive noise abatement concept was developed. The core of this concept was, on the one hand, to completely decouple the foundation of the machinery set from the building and, on the other hand, to design the interior of the building as soundproof as possible. The machinery unit was placed on isomer mats, which reduce the transmission of structural noise to a minimum. The operators invested around CHF 3.4 million in the conversion and refitting of the traditional hydroelectric power station.