For 100 years, the Versuchsanstalt Obernach of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has been dedicated to water research. Founded by science pioneer Oskar von Miller, the test facility focuses on advancing hydropower and, increasingly, on questions related to climate impact research and prevention for people and nature.
TUM ProLehre The Versuchsanstalt plays an important role not only in international research, but also for hydropower operators in Germany and abroad, and - more important than ever - for public water management authorities, for example in the areas of river engineering, flood protection, and dams. It has an outdoor test site with large flow rates and even enables full-scale experiments. In addition, it offers large testing halls, workshops, and its own teaching laboratory for TUM students in civil and environmental engineering.
Water Research Is Climate Research
Bavaria's Minister of the Environment, Thorsten Glauber, congratulates the Versuchsanstalt Obernach on its 100th anniversary: "Water means life. It is our most important resource, from energy production to safeguarding the foundations of our existence. 100 years of water research in Obernach represent a unique combination of scientific excellence and practical application. Technological progress constantly opens up new possibilities for us to develop innovative solutions. This knowledge is crucial for further strengthening flood protection in Bavaria and adapting our infrastructure to the growing challenges of climate change. The Versuchsanstalt Obernach makes an indispensable contribution to public safety."
TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann emphasized: "We have made enormous progress in our computing capacity and expertise in the numerical modeling of complex turbulence and morphological processes. Nevertheless, the physical laboratory and field experiments in Obernach are and will remain an indispensable corrective and ensure the validity of forecasts for dealing with extreme weather events, flood protection, and the ecological transformation of our energy system. Oskar von Miller's guiding idea is more alive than ever: science and technology for the benefit of humanity."
The Director of the Versuchsanstalt Obernach, Prof. Nils Rüther, said: "Water is becoming a key resource for our future - shaped by climate change, extreme events, and increasing conflicts of use. That is exactly why we have been developing solutions in Obernach for 100 years that connect science and practice. Our goal is to continue finding concrete solutions in the future to make our water infrastructure resilient and to make the use of water as a resource sustainable."
Importance of Hydropower
When the Versuchsanstalt was founded in 1926, hydropower was a key driver of the industrialization and electrification of the Free State of Bavaria. At that time, Bavaria's electricity demand could be met almost exclusively through hydropower. Even today, hydropower remains a cornerstone of renewable energy and provides up to 12 percent of the total renewable primary energy in Bavaria.
The initiator of the Versuchsanstalt, Oskar von Miller, is considered the father of hydropower in Bavaria. Among other projects, he planned the construction of the Walchensee Hydroelectric Power Plant, which is still in operation today, and he also founded the Deutsches Museum in Munich, the world's largest museum of science and technology.
