The assessment of damage rates of fish during turbine passage is a major challenge in ecological management of hydropower. The use of turbine design guidelines to deduct relevant hydraulic parameters allows wide applicability as well as improved and more detailed prognosis compared to former approaches. A generalized model for runner blade strike probability calculation explains differences in prediction for previous modelling approaches of other authors. The integration of basic damage mechanisms provides a comprehensive modelling of physical load and resulting biological response, which is so far only conducted in the scope of CFD based studies. The application of the recent developments in modelling fish passage through turbines demonstrates the large influence of fish behaviour on resulting damage rates. Passage location, fish orientation and fish swimming speeds are crucial for exact predictions of fish damage in turbines. The comparison of modelling results with experimental data provides accuracy assessment, also in relation to previous modelling approaches. It shows generally suitable range for basic ecological management. Detailed statements can provide orientation for the development of favorable machine design and operation. The work provides outlooks for future research in assessment and reduction of fish damage in hydraulic turbines.
Die Zeitschrift Zeitschrift WasserWirtschaft ist das Fachmagazin für Wasser- und Umwelttechnologie. 10x im Jahr bietet sie wissenschaftlich fundierte Informationen über u.a. Wasserbau- und Wasserkraft, Talsperren ...