CD Laboratory for Sediment Research and Management

Hydropower plants are a key pillar of the energy transition. However, erosion, transport and deposition of sediments influence watercourses far beyond the actual power plant site. The CD Laboratory aims to investigate these dynamics.

In the next 20 years, the majority of all investments and funding in the energy sector will be in the area of renewable energy generation, with hydropower contributing around a quarter of this. One of the main challenges of hydropower utilisation is the disturbed dynamics of sediment transport in the course of the affected watercourses. Only an appropriate understanding of the process to achieve sustainable sediment management can solve the economic, technical and ecological problems of hydropower plants, including increasing social acceptance.

This CD Laboratory researches ways to optimise the economic, technical and ecological use of hydropower, to improve sediment management in waterways and to extend the service life of various technical components of hydropower plants. Another aim of the planned work is to ensure flood safety while taking ecological criteria into account. Building on the current state of knowledge, the CD Laboratory is researching the fundamentals of erosion, transport, sedimentation and remobilisation of solids. In order to achieve an improved understanding of processes, the research approaches cover different scales, from the μm range to the investigation of entire catchment areas. A combination of laboratory tests and field investigations is planned.

The CD Laboratory is thus developing an expanded understanding of processes, insights into interactions and influences on ecology and thus the basis for the development of new monitoring and modelling technologies. This is expected to lead to general, innovative concepts for sustainable sediment management and action planning in industrialised river catchment areas. The research results will contribute to the definition of new standards in the field of economic, technical and ecological optimisation of hydropower use by the national and international hydropower industry. Furthermore, the implementation of the research results in water management plans, Directives and specific legislation in coordination with representatives of the hydraulic engineering administration and torrent and avalanche control is planned.