Sustainable Energy at a Height of 140 Metres: UASTW Tests Micro Wind Turbines for Installation on Europa Bridge

Starting in October, eight micro wind turbines will generate sustainable electricity on Austria’s highest bridge: ASFINAG wants to use the small wind turbines at a height of 140 metres on the pillars of the Europa Bridge in Tyrol to supply the toll station in Patsch with energy in the future. The advantage of the concept is that the wind turbines do not have to be built on their own masts because they can use existing infrastructure. Micro wind turbines from the German company Mowea will be used.

The UAS Technikum Wien is also indirectly involved in the project: At the Lichtenegg Energy Research Park, the turbines for installation on the Europabrücke are currently being tested with regard to their performance and noise emissions. Around 4,800 kilowatt hours of electricity are to be generated by the eight wind turbines once they have been commissioned.

“To check the performance of the small wind turbines, the electrical power is measured within a certain wind speed range and recorded as a power curve. This information is important to be able to estimate the yield in kWh at a location,” explains Alexander Hirschl-Schmol from the Renewable Energy Systems competence field. In addition to the output, the UASTW also tests the sound emissions of the turbine type at the Lichtenegg Energy Research Park to ensure that no residential or nature conservation areas are disturbed by noise in such projects.

Because all rotating devices emit vibrations to their supporting structure, the experts at the energy research park are also investigating the vibration behaviour of the wind turbines. The aim is to estimate how high the load on the bridge piers is.

A wind turbine similar to the one being tested at the Lichtenegg research park.

The Europa Bridge in Tyrol (Photo: Matteo Ceruti – stock.adobe.com)