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Hydropower for future generations – Viennahydro 2022

Group picture from the panel discussion

Chaired by ORF presenter Stefan Gehrer (left), the panel included: DI W. Anzengruber (CEOs for Future), DI Dr. K.H. Gruber (Verbund), Prof. DI Dr. A. Haber, MBA (E-Control Austria), Dr. Jürgen Schneider (BMK) and Dean C. Bauer.

From November 09 to 11, 2022, the Viennahydro celebrated its comeback at the Conference Center in the Schlosspark Laxenburg after the cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic. For the first time, the "International Seminar on Hydropower Systems" was held in hybrid mode, so it was not only possible for the 230 participants on site to experience the top-class technical-scientific program, but interested people from all over the world could become a part of the conference. They had the chance to experience 64 technical lectures (in presence and online) and 12 presentations by prospective PhD students live and to discuss arising questions in the following technical discussions. The diverse lecture program was spread over three magnificent halls. Another two halls provided space for an extensive trade exhibition of national and international companies in the hydropower sector.

The 21st edition of Viennahydro was held under the slogan "Hydropower for future generations". Top-class experts comprehensively discussed future fields such as digitalization, intelligent grids, and quantum computing. Fittingly, the event was opened with a panel discussion on the topic of "Sustainable and secure power supply through renewable energy systems", and there was a lively exchange of views between well-known representatives from politics, the energy industry and E-Control. The first day of the event, which focused on small hydro, operation and maintenance, and environmental issues, was successfully concluded with an evening reception at Vienna City Hall. The second day of the event was dedicated to the "Young researcher contributions", i.e. the sessions in which prospective PhD students presented their research results. Other highlights included sessions on pumped storage, control & automation and numerical simulations. A visit to the traditional wine tavern Fuhrgassel-Huber in Neustift am Walde brought the day to a pleasant close. The presentations of the last day focused on the topics Operation and Maintenance and Pumped Storage.

We would like to thank our sponsors Andritz, EFG, TIWAG, Verbund, VOITH and are already looking forward to welcoming you again at the next Viennahydro in 2024. More information can be found on the Viennahydro homepage, opens an external URL in a new window.