Austria-based Felbermayr has expanded one of the largest transformer stations in Austria to support electricity transmission between its home market and Germany.
As part of plans to utilise Austrian hydropower and German wind power towards electricity production, a joint project between Austrian grid operator Austrian Power Grid (APG) and German electricity grid operator TenneT will see two main distribution facilities equipped with a new infrastructure and the required electricity pylons. These are in Altheim, Bavaria, and St. Peter am Hart, Upper Austria.
Construction for a transformer foundation for a 550 MVA grid coupling transformer for 380/220 kv began at the 21,000 sq-m construction site in November 2024. The pit, measuring 30 m x 17 m x 3 m, was excavated – with more than 1,500 cu m of soil dug out and improved, before being filled with water and checked for leaks.
“To move the transformers to their final position later on, we have also installed mat tracks in each transformer box,” said Volker Brand, the Felbermayr project and construction manager in charge. A mobile crane then lifted the prefabricated parts of the box walls and the fire protection wall into place.
“Since gas insulates better than air, the pipes can be placed in the most confined of spaces, thus saving space on the site,” added Brand. At 45 m long,18 m wide and 18 m high, a hall for the gas-insulated switchgear was erected following extensive earthworks, which included improving around 500 cu m of soil.
A 200-tonne mobile crane then lifted 15 prefabricated wall components into place, which each measured 5 m x 3 m. The external walls were supported and secured in two phases using steel columns around 8 m and 12 m high.
In September 2024, Felbermayr began expanding the site’s existing extinguishing water system – from 300 cu m to 500 cu m of storage volume. After the cistern was expanded, a prefabricated pump house was then erected on top of the ceiling, with a 100-tonne mobile crane installing the pump house – which measured 6 m x 4 m. A sewer and hydrant line will also be laid across the site.
“After the expansion of the extinguishing water system, we will start constructing a building for our own needs in April 2025, which will provide a secure DC and AC power supply, including a battery system and inverter,” detailed Brand.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
In November 2024, HLPFI reported that Felbermayr had completed two projects as well as a crane lift at sites across Europe.
