As part of an energy tour of the country, German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel visited Voith Hydro’s R&D laboratory Brunnenmuehle in Heidenheim on 27 August. During the visit she was accompanied by a high-ranking delegation consisting of leading politicians from the region, Rainer Bruederle, German Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, and Stefan Mappus, Prime Minister of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
For Chancellor Dr. Merkel, the last day of her energy tour started at the construction site of Rheinfelden hydro power plant where Voith Hydro is currently installing four bulb turbines. Upon completion, the power plant will supply clean energy for approximately 200,000 households and will allow for yearly carbon dioxide savings of around 300,000 tons.
Dr. Merkel’s next stop was Heidenheim visiting the Brunnenmuehle, the laboratory where – amongst many others –the Rheinfelden machines were developed. The Brunnenmuehle laboratory is the heart of Voith Hydro’s global R&D network. More than 150 engineers work in one of the most modern test centers for hydropower technology, which was thoroughly modernized and extended with an overall investment of around EUR 20M in 2008.
According to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety hydropower accounted for approximately 19,000GWh green power generation in Germany in 2009. Even though traditional hydropower in Germany is highly developed, modernization project still offer possibilities for increased outputs.
German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel visited the technology company Voith during her
energy tour. From left to right: Rainer Bruederle, Federal Economics Minister, Stefan Mappus, Minister President of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, Dr. Hubert Lienhard, President & CEO Voith Group
German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel in Voith Hydro’s R&D facility Brunnenmuehle on the last day of her energy tour. From left to right.: Dr. Roland Egli, Senior Vice President
Research & Development Voith Hydro, Rainer Bruederle, Federal Economics Minister,
Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, Dr. Hubert Lienhard, President & CEO Voith Group.