Drainage Assessment
We show the extent to which the planned plant will affect the flood risk in the neighbourhood
The authorities have been sensitised to heavy rainfall and flooding events since the Ahr valley floods in Germany at the latest. Depending on the region, drainage reports are therefore required in the approval process for a PV plant. These describe the rainfall-runoff behaviour of the project area before the project is implemented compared to the changes resulting from the construction of the PV plant.
Our drainage reports offer you the following advantages:
- Accepted by the authorities
- Detailed description of the rainfall-runoff behaviour of the area
- Different report variants available depending on requirements – from a basic variant to hydrodynamic modelling
- Solution-orientated: If necessary, we describe possible measures
- We suggest minimally invasive solutions that can be easily integrated into your project
The good news first: in general, the construction of a PV plant does not have a negative impact on the rainfall-runoff behaviour of a surface.
In order to answer the questions that arise in your project as well and efficiently as possible, there are several expert opinion variants available.
Drainage assessment - Project-specific answers
Sometimes very specific questions arise during the approval process – e.g. during the participation process (e.g.: “Is there a risk of flooding downstream of my house?”).
We are happy to answer your questions on a case-by-case basis. We often use hydrostatic models, analyses of drainage routes, areas of influence, etc. for this purpose.
German or English?
Of course, our reports can be prepared in German and also in English.
Drainage expertise - The basic variant
The basic variant is a brief analysis of the precipitation runoff situation and includes the following points:
- Literature research (impact of PV on precipitation runoff from open spaces)
- Assessment of the plant site with regard to precipitation runoff (overall impression, any critical zones, etc.)
- Research the spatial reference of the area (precipitation amounts, etc.)
- Development of general recommendations for improving the precipitation runoff situation
The brief analysis does not include a simulation/analysis of precipitation runoff.
Drainage expertise - Hydrodynamic analysis
Together with our partner, the Department of Hydrology at the University of Kassel, we create hydrodynamic models of the project area as required. This makes it possible to analyse the temporal development of water depths and water runoff for each point of the project area. This enables a detailed comparison of the change in water flows after a heavy rainfall event.
The simulations are normally carried out with a spatial resolution of 1 m² and a temporal resolution of 1 minute.
The results offer more certainty in the evaluation of the rainfall-runoff behaviour and can serve as a detailed basis for the planning of specific water retention measures.
Hydrodynamic analyses are only necessary in special areas.
