HYDROMINE project meeting in Chania
On September 21 and 22, the next in-person consortium meeting took place at the Technical University of Crete in Greece. The project partners gathered to discuss technical progress, agree on upcoming priorities, and coordinate the next steps. Following a warm welcome, the first day focused on the presentation and discussion of current project results. The main topics included, in particular:
geotechnical analyses and stability assessments of potential former open-pit mining sites,
hydraulic optimization of the PAT unit,
finalization of the pipe material formulation, taking into account the determined material and
processing properties of bio-based HDPE materials,
the life cycle assessment of the environmental impacts of bio-based plastic piping compared to steel piping,
the development of a holistic method for assessing the potential of former open-pit mining sites for the application of the technology,
and the development of the demonstrator’s peripheral components, consisting of a floating platform, electrical components, and control technology
The first day was rounded off by a joint consortium dinner at a traditional restaurant in the centre of Chania, organised by the host of the meeting, Technical University of Crete.
On the second day, we visited the Small Hydropower Plant in Agia. It offered an interesting journey through the history of electricity generation in Greece. The facility tells the story of how the country progressed from an era of limited electrification to meeting the growing energy demands of the 20th century and ultimately transitioning to renewable energy sources.
The exhibition hall showcases the original, fully restored electromechanical equipment and provides insight into the early days of hydropower and the technological evolution of energy systems.
