| Zillergründl Dam | |
| Location Map: | Austria |
| Coordinates: | 47.1208°N 12.0619°W |
| Country: | Austria |
| Status: | O |
| Construction Began: | 1981 |
| Opening: | 1986 |
| Owner: | Verbund AG |
| Dam Type: | Arch, variable-radius |
| Dam Height: | 1860NaN0 |
| Dam Length: | 5020NaN0 |
| Dam Width Crest: | 60NaN0 |
| Dam Width Base: | 360NaN0 |
| Dam Volume: | 13730000NaN0 |
| Dam Elevation Crest: | 1850.70NaN0 |
| Dam Crosses: | Ziller River |
| Res Name: | Zillergründl Reservoir |
| Res Capacity Total: | 89500000m2 |
| Res Capacity Active: | 88800000m2[1] |
| Res Catchment: | 670NaN0[2] |
| Res Elevation: | 18500NaN0 |
| Plant Hydraulic Head: | 7440NaN0 |
| Plant Name: | Häusling Power Plant |
| Plant Coordinates: | 47.1461°N 11.9672°W |
| Plant Commission: | 1986-1988 |
| Plant Turbines: | 2 x 180 MW Francis-type |
| Plant Capacity: | 360 MW |
| Plant Annual Gen: | 179.4 GWh |
The Zillergründl Dam is an arch dam on the Ziller River in the upper Ziller Valley of Tyrol state, Austria. It lies 160NaN0 east of Mayrhofen. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports a 360 MW pumped-storage power station. As part of the Zemm-Ziller Development, construction on the dam began in 1981 and, along with the Häusling Pumped Storage Power Plant, it was completed in 1986. The power plant was fully commissioned by 1988. The dam is the second tallest in Austria.
At an elevation of 1850.70NaN0 above sea level, the Zillergründl is a 1860NaN0 tall and 5020NaN0 long variable-radius arch dam with a structural volume of 13730000NaN0. The dam is 60NaN0 wide at its crest and 360NaN0 at its base. Its reservoir has a capacity of 89500000m2, of which 88800000m2 is active (or "useful") capacity. At normal levels, the reservoir has a catchment area of 670NaN0. The reservoir operates at elevations from 18500NaN0 to 17400NaN0, which is the draw-down level.[1] [2]
Water released from the reservoir reaches the Häusling Power Plant 100NaN0 downstream. The power plant is located at an elevation of 10600NaN0 and contains two 180 MW Francis turbine-generators. It is afforded 7440NaN0 of hydraulic head given the difference in elevations.[3] Using its pumped-storage capability, the power-station receives water from the Stillupp Reservoir 80NaN0 to the west in an adjacent valley at and pumps it up to the Zillergründl Reservoir. The pumping and replenishment of the reservoir occur at night, during low energy demand periods. The process is repeated; electricity is generated during high-demand periods and pumping occurs during low-demand periods when electricity is cheaper.[4] [5] [6]