Post by ANDRITZ Hydro

From damage assessment to long-term reliability: Turning repairs into lasting improvements at Braskereidfoss After Storm Hans, the Braskereidfoss hydropower plant sustained significant damage. What began as a repair effort quickly developed into a broader upgrade project focused on long-term reliability. ANDRITZ was engaged to assess the situation, establish safety anchor points, and replace gate seals, marking the start of a comprehensive waterway upgrade. As often happens, addressing one issue revealed others. Like fixing a flat bicycle tyre, you soon discover worn brake pads, a rusty chain, and new requirements and recommendations that have emerged in the meantime. Together with Hafslund and Norconsult, several targeted upgrades were identified early to restore safe and efficient operation. One example emerged in discussions during the project: operators had to climb down to lubricate the mechanical chain hoists. By installing stainless, maintenance-free chains, both the need for manual maintenance and a key safety risk were eliminated. The rehabilitation of the waterway was completed this spring, including new emergency hoisting systems for three flood gates. Originally commissioned in 1978, the plant is now ready for the future, prepared for the spring flood and decades of operation ahead. We thank Hafslund for the excellent cooperation and look forward to future projects. #Hydropower #RenewableEnergy #Engineering #OperationalExcellence #Partnership