Hydropower – the most resilient form of renewable energy: Natur Energietechnik plans and implements customized concepts for the efficient and sustainable utilization of hydropower.
With over 30 years of experience in development, design, and energy automation, Natur Energietechnik is your partner for modern hydropower plants – from planning, control systems, and commissioning to maintenance.
Our plants harness the natural power of water to generate energy reliably, efficiently, and emission-free. In doing so, we combine mature, detailed solutions with state-of-the-art control and regulation technology – customized to the specific site, water body, and energy requirements.
Whether it is a small-scale hydropower plant, the modernization of existing facilities, or the automation of control systems: We create tailored, turnkey solutions that perfectly combine economic efficiency and sustainability.
Energy from Nature and Motion
Hydropower Plants
Hydropower is one of the oldest and, at the same time, most reliable forms of energy generation. It harnesses the natural motion of water to produce clean and consistent energy – day after day.
It plays an important role in the modern energy economy: As a steady, predictable source of energy, it contributes decisively to stabilizing power grids and makes a valuable contribution to the sustainable supply of companies, municipalities, and entire regions. Natur Energietechnik offers innovative system solutions for this purpose:
Our services in the field of hydropower:
- Plant-specific software development
- Automation systems for turbines and power plant control
- Water level and energy optimization
- Data and remote transmission systems
- Process control systems and visualization
- Generators and electrical equipment
- Trash rack cleaning systems for efficient power plant operation
HYDROPOWER PLANTS
Control Technology
Precision, quality, and reliability – we place particular emphasis on these in the design and manufacturing of our control and switchgear systems. Every system is individually planned, carefully built, and designed for maximum operational reliability.
Natur Energietechnik specializes in the programming and commissioning of modern PLC control systems. In close coordination with our customers, we develop tailored control and visualization concepts – always with the goal of achieving an automation solution that is optimal both technically and economically.
Our core areas of expertise in control technology:
- Compact control cabinet construction with a clearly structured component layout
- High operational reliability through certified and durable components
- Use of high-quality brand-name products
- Deployment of standard, standardized control units (e.g., Siemens SIMATIC, Profibus systems)
- Integrated, regulated reactive power compensation
- Installation-friendly connections and maintenance-optimized design
Visualization of Control Technology
We develop software according to your specifications and requirements:
- Software project engineering for PLCs across many well-known control systems (e.g., Siemens, Beckhoff)
- CODESYS according to IEC 61131-3 for application development in industrial automation
- Visualization with ProTool, WinCC, as well as proprietary, customer-specific systems
- Bus couplings and fieldbus systems (PN/DP, ASI)
- On-site commissioning of the control systems
- Training for your service personnel
Remote Monitoring of Control Technology
Our remote monitoring systems enable seamless, reliable control of your hydropower plant – regardless of your location.
- Error analysis
- Data transmission via PC, smartphone, and tablet
- HD camera monitoring
- Fault and event alerts via SMS, email, or fax
- Cloud data storage, e.g., for regulatory authorities
HYDROPOWER PLANTS
Trash Rack Cleaners
Trash rack cleaners are an essential component of any hydropower plant – they keep the intake to the turbine free of debris, sediment, and ice formation. By doing so, they ensure an unobstructed water flow, prevent power losses, and protect both the turbine and generator from damage. Depending on the location, head, and water flow conditions, different systems are used, each tailored individually to the plant.
Natur Energietechnik offers various rack and cleaning systems that perfectly combine efficiency, operational reliability, and environmental compatibility.
Especially in small-scale hydropower plants, ice formation during winter ("anchor ice" or "frazil ice") can cause problems at the intake rack. A specially developed fine rack featuring an alternating rod sequence of rectangular and round bars prevents the rack bars from clogging and ensures a continuous water intake.
The design minimizes sticking caused by ice or debris and ensures a constant flow. Furthermore, a stainless steel execution guarantees a virtually unlimited service life – particularly in aggressive or acidic water environments.
- Simple and cost-effective manufacturing
- Execution in stainless material using standard profiles
- No icing or jamming caused by debris
Constant rack resistance and low maintenance requirements
The horizontal trash rack cleaner is a modern, exceptionally fish-friendly system. Due to its horizontal arrangement in the intake structure, the bar spacing can be chosen to be significantly smaller – down to 10 mm for new installations. This allows for fine filtration while maintaining a low flow resistance.
Debris is not laboriously extracted; instead, it is automatically routed downstream via a flushing gate or a bypass. This reduces maintenance efforts and preserves environmental conditions for aquatic life.
- High operational efficiency with low energy consumption
- Exceptionally fish-friendly design
- Small bar spacing for effective cleaning
- Automatic routing of debris via a flushing gate or bypass
Vertical trash rack cleaners are primarily deployed at plants with limited space or high hydraulic heads. They operate with a vertically arranged rack surface, where debris is automatically transported upward and removed. The cleaning mechanism can be powered electrically or hydraulically and is ideally suited for continuous operation.
This design combines high cleaning performance with straightforward maintenance, making it particularly suitable for plants facing a heavy influx of leaves, branches, or general debris.
- Efficient cleaning even with a high volume of debris
- Space-saving design – ideal for narrow intake structures
- Automatic control and monitoring capabilities
- Robust construction built for continuous operation
HYDROPOWER PLANTS
Control Cabinet Construction
Our control cabinets are deployed across a wide range of industries, including hydropower plants, the automotive sector, plant and mechanical engineering, and special purpose machinery. During production, we rely on highly skilled professionals and components from renowned manufacturers to provide our customers with cost-effective, premium-quality solutions.
Our Services in Control Cabinet Construction
- Individual planning and design according to customer requirements
- In-house production of control and power cabinets
- Use of high-quality components from leading manufacturers
- Clean, compact, and maintenance-friendly design
- Testing and documentation according to current standards and safety regulations
- Application across diverse industries – from hydropower to automation technology
- High cost-effectiveness through precise manufacturing and durable construction
HYDROPOWER PLANTS
Hydraulic Systems
Our hydraulic systems are designed as compact, powerful units and are individually tailored to each specific application. They are characterized by maximum operational reliability, precise control, and durable components.
Our Core Focus Areas in Hydraulic Systems
- Dimensioning with a sufficient power reserve
- Operationally reliable function even during power failures – achieved via gravity actuation or bladder accumulators
- Continuous monitoring of oil level, pressure, and temperature
- Use of reliable control units and high-quality valves
HYDROPOWER PLANTS
Generators
Every percentage point increase in efficiency translates to a noticeably higher yield – and therefore cash in hand. Investing in high-quality, custom-engineered machinery typically amortizes within a short period. Since water flow throughout the year is usually below the maximum design capacity, and generators frequently operate in part-load conditions, part-load efficiency plays a decisive role.
Depending on the plant type and performance requirements, air-cooled or water-cooled generators are used.
Our generators are engineered so that their efficiency at around 75% load is just as high as, or even higher than, during full-load operation. Therefore, it is not the initial purchase price alone that matters, but rather the long-term cost-effectiveness over the entire lifecycle of your plant.
Permanent Magnet Generator
- Extremely high efficiency, even at part-load
- Converterless grid-parallel operation
- No gearbox required – ideal even for low rotational speeds
- Grid-parallel and island (stand-alone) operation possible
- Applicable in low- and medium-voltage grids
Synchronous Generator
- High efficiency
- Grid-parallel and island (stand-alone) operation possible
- No compensation required
Asynchronous Generator
- Simple design
- Low-maintenance
- Energy efficiency classes IE2, IE3, and IE4
- Suitable for grid and converter operation
Asynchronous Generator with Copper Bar Rotor
- Extremely high efficiency
Is the construction or modernization of a hydropower plant even still worth it today?
Yes – hydropower remains one of the most reliable and economically viable forms of renewable energy today. Modern plants operate efficiently, require low maintenance, and can achieve significantly higher yields and operational reliability when equipped with automation and control technology from Natur Energietechnik.
How high are the maintenance requirements for modern hydropower plants?
Modern plants equipped with automated control and cleaning systems operate almost completely independently. Trash rack cleaners, hydraulic controls, and process visualization minimize the need for manual intervention. Regular visual inspections and software updates are usually sufficient to maintain full performance capabilities.
What are the benefits of modernizing existing hydropower plants?
Many existing plants still operate with outdated mechanical components or control systems. By retrofitting modern turbines, generators, trash rack cleaners, and automation systems, efficiency can be significantly increased and maintenance requirements reduced.
Particularly through modern control and remote monitoring technology, largely unattended operation becomes possible. Plants can be automatically regulated, monitored, and adjusted remotely if needed. This increases operational reliability, reduces personnel costs, and optimizes energy yield.
What role does automation play in hydropower?
Automation is the key to efficiency and safety today. With individually programmed PLC control systems, visualization systems, and remote monitoring solutions, Natur Energietechnik offers maximum control over all operating conditions – from water level regulation to power monitoring.
References
Our Projects at a Glance
From medium-sized businesses to municipalities – Natur Energietechnik has been implementing high-performance energy solutions for decades: hydropower plants, automation solutions, photovoltaic systems, energy storage, and charging infrastructure. Projects that increase efficiency, conserve resources, and actively shape the future of energy.
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In 4 steps to an efficient hydropower solution
Whether for new construction, modernization, or automation – Natur Energietechnik supports you from the initial idea to the turnkey plant. We develop tailored concepts that enable you to efficiently generate, regulate, and monitor your energy. Step by step toward greater economic viability, independence, and security of supply.
Consultation & Analysis
We examine your existing hydropower potential, analyze the site, head, and water flow, and discuss potential technical approaches with you.
Planning
Based on the analysis, we develop your individual plant concept – from turbine and generator selection to control and automation technology.
Manufacturing & Installation
In our own workshop, we manufacture control systems and control cabinets, assemble the plant on-site, and handle the commissioning.
Operation & Optimization
We provide you with modern systems for remote monitoring and process visualization, integrate them into your plant, and train your staff in their operation.