Author(s): Franz Geiger

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: No keywords

Abstract: At hydropower plants (HPPs), the fish downstream migration is related to fish passage through the turbines which can result in serious injury and mortality rates of the fish and endanger fish populations. Apart from special fish species and HPP sites, the most common and reliable approach for fish protection and downstream passage at HPPs are mechanical barriers, typically fine screens, in combination with bypass systems. This is related to high constructional efforts, intense maintenance, reduced electricity production and in many cases the feasibility is not given. An alternative approach was developed at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the “Induced Drift Application” (IDA). Experimental investigations and fish damage rate modelling indicate, that fish damage rates depend on the fish behavior during turbine passage. A targeted manipulation of the fish behavior could thus be employed to reduce damage rates. The particular fish sensitivity to electric fields, especially electro-taxis and electro-narcosis, provide favorable options for this purpose. A European patent was granted for fish protection techniques by behavior manipulation.

DOI:

Year: 2022