Staustufe Griesheim, Hydroelectric power station and barrage in Frankfurt, Germany
The Staustufe Griesheim is a hydroelectric power station and barrage on the Main River in Frankfurt, generating electricity through three Kaplan turbines. It also has three roller gates and two lock chambers that allow vessels to pass through.
The structure was built between 1929 and 1932 after Frankfurt and the Reich government agreed to modernize the Main River. It replaced older infrastructure and improved both river transport and the regional power supply.
The power station building is an example of New Objectivity, a style that was common in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s. The facade has no decoration and shows clean lines, which were seen at the time as a sign of modernity.
The structure is easy to see from the walking paths on both banks of the Main, without needing to enter the site. Daytime visits in good light give the best view of the building and the lock areas.
The Kaplan turbines used here have blades that adjust automatically to the water level, which sets them apart from many other turbine types. This means the plant can produce power consistently even when the river runs higher or lower than usual.
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