ALK (Albula-Landwasser Kraftwerke in Switzerland) is the first pilot customer for etahydro. The Filisur power station in particular, with an installed capacity of 65 MW and an average annual production of around 290 GWh, is severely affected by a high suspended sediment load in the waterway. The need for action is correspondingly great, as is the potential for the etahydro solution.

The pilot at ALK was used to test etahydro in practice on the one hand and to check the cost-effectiveness of the solution on the other. The result of the profitability calculation for the Filisur hydro power plant is positive. The capital investment is amortized after less than three years. A key factor influencing the profitability is the electricity price. A price of 50 euros per MWh was assumed for Filisur. As electricity prices rise, profitability improves and etahydro also becomes financially attractive for less exposed hydro power plants.

Axpo and etaeval know the influencing factors based on the concrete implementation of etahydro at ALK. This enables us to examine the specific circumstances with interested power plant operators and make joint statements on economic profitability.