Water as an Energy Source

The energy sector in Germany is faced with the challenge to provide the population and industry with a reliable energy  supply while achieving the German government’s climate goals. This challenge is a key topic of the 43rd International International Symposium on Hydraulic Engineering in Aachen (IWASA), organized by the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management headed by Professor Holger Schüttrumpf.

 

Among the regenerative and fossil energy carriers, water has a special position, as it is widely available and its use typically results in low CO2 emissions and operating costs. Concerning the sustainable use of water, relevant topics include the development of geothermal and water energy, the necessity of pumped-storage hydro plants, and free passage in water bodies.

The conference will present methods to generate energy from geothermal heat and innovations to improve the efficiency and eco-friendliness of hydro energy.

As water bodies affected by hydro power stations are often not passable for fish, one section of the conference is dedicated to current research on the upstream and downstream passage of fish. Furthermore, new types of pumped storage plants, such as underground pumped storage plant, will be presented.

The recognized hydraulic engineering conference is primarily targeted at civil engineers working or doing research in the fields of hydraulic engineering and water management, but is also open to a more general audience. About 400 participants are expected to attend the conference, which takes place at the AGIT Technology Center at Europaplatz, Aachen.

Participants do not need to register for the event. Entry is free of charge, thanks to the generous support from the NRW Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Consumer Protection; the proRWTH association; and the IWW support association.