Commissioned in 1998, Freudenau is Europe’s largest urban hydropower plant and a key contributor to Vienna’s electricity supply. The guide began the tour with a brief overview of the historical and political context, explaining the plant’s controversial development and its importance in balancing energy production, environmental concerns, and urban development.

The guided tour focused on key technical aspects, including Kaplan turbine technology, grid integration, flood control, and river navigation. A highlight of the visit was descending about 15 meters into the active turbine chamber, where students could feel the vibration of the turbines and hear the Danube flowing above them—offering a striking demonstration of the scale and power of hydroelectric systems.

The plant’s multifunctional design and urban location provided a clear example of sustainable infrastructure. The excursion also reinforced key themes from our MSc curriculum, including the role of hydropower in the renewable energy transition, system integration, and long-term sustainability.

Our sincere thanks to the team at Verbund for their time and expertise. The excursion was a valuable learning experience that brought classroom theory to life.