Leveraging BIM for rehabilitation of the Happurg pumped-storage upper reservoir, Germany

After beginning operation in 1958 with a capacity of 80 MW, the Happurg pumped-storage scheme in Germany underwent a significant upgrade in 1963, doubling its capacity to 160 MW and becoming the largest pumped-storage plant in Bavaria. However, in 2011, structural damage to the base of the upper reservoir and resulting seepage issues led to the decommissioning of the plant. The owner, Uniper, has since embarked on a comprehensive rehabilitation project, for which the design works have been completed and the construction works began in August 2024. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2027. This initiative encompasses rehabilitation of the upper reservoir, as well as other critical components such as the powerhouse. Recognizing the need for optimization throughout all project phases, from design to operation and maintenance, the decision was made to use Building Information Modelling (BIM). The entire design process has been carried out meticulously in 3D, as explained in this paper.