How Hydropower Lasts Longer

Why Smart Wear Protection Is Becoming the Silent Superpower of the Energy Transition

Hydropower is one of the most reliable engines of renewable energy – yet it often remains in the shadow of solar and wind power. Material performance is crucial here, determining efficiency, availability, and economic viability. As soon as high heads, sediment loads, and extreme flow velocities come into play, standard solutions quickly reach their limits.

But what happens when components are designed not only to last, but to last significantly longer?
What if nozzle needles, rings, and other turbine components can easily withstand hydroabrasive wear?
What if service life triples to quintuples – and downtime is drastically reduced?
This is precisely what the long-standing collaboration between Kraftwerke Oberhasli (KWO) and Deloro Wear Solutions demonstrates. For over 30 years, this partnership has demonstrated how innovative materials, precise manufacturing processes, and in-depth plant expertise can transform the performance of entire power plant fleets.
Why does a specific alloy like Stellite 3 succeed where other materials fail?
How do testing processes work that eliminate even the slightest material defects?
And how can wear protection be implemented in a way that is not only technically but also economically viable?

This new user report provides answers – well-founded, clear, and with insights from practical experience.

Whether you work in the energy sector or simply want to know how high-performance materials make plants more efficient in the long term, this case study shows what modern wear protection can achieve today.

Read now and discover why durable components are key to a stable, CO₂-free energy supply.
Image © Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG / David Birri