Hydropower development refers to the construction and operation of run-of-river or storage-based generation facilities. Uncontrolled seepage from conveyance channels, forebay basins and settling ponds reduces hydraulic efficiency and threatens structural integrity. Carbofol® geomembranes, Bentofix® geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) and Secutex® protective geotextiles provide reliable, long-lasting sealing solutions engineered for the demands of hydropower civil works.
Reliable sealing of open channels conveying water to the turbine headworks
Watertight retention of hydraulic head upstream of the penstock intake
Impermeable containment to protect turbines from sediment inflows
Seepage protection and load distribution around buried pressure pipework
Slope stabilisation, erosion control and traffickable access on soft ground
Hydropower structures face a demanding combination of hydraulic pressure, UV exposure, freeze-thaw cycling, root penetration and construction traffic. The hydraulic performance of any hydropower scheme depends on the integrity of its water-retaining structures. Naue geosynthetic lining systems are engineered to withstand all of these loads throughout a design life and address every lining requirement from simple channel sealing to complex multi-layer barrier systems.
Practical advantages:
Not every hydropower structure has the same seepage risk. Canals on highly permeable soils or fractured rock require a different approach from ponds on a clay subgrade. The table below provides a decision guide and further selection advice is available in the Naue SolutionFinder software tool.
Key principle: The geomembrane lining controls seepage and the protective geotextile preserves lining integrity long-term.
The selection of the correct lining system depends on subgrade conditions, structure type, hydraulic head, installation constraints and cost targets. Use the decision table below as a first-cut guide and contact us for project-specific selection and design assistance.
| Criterion | Carbofol® HDPE geomembrane | Bentofix® GCL | Carbofol® + Bentofix® |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subgrade type | Prepared granular or compacted fill; sharp-object-free subgrade | Irregular, rocky or variable subgrade; beneath RC slabs | High-risk sites: permeable subgrade + critical structure |
| Hydraulic head | Suitable for all heads when correctly welded and anchored | Low to medium head; higher head requires a composite system | Recommended for high heads or critical containment |
| Puncture/protection | Secutex® protection geotextile above and below in aggressive subgrades | GCL geotextile layers provide inherent protection | Full protection system: GCL + geomembrane + geotextile |
| Installation conditions | Dry, accessible conditions preferred; welding equipment needed | Wet or remote conditions possible; underwater installation possible | Standard site conditions; phased installation possible |
| Certifications | EN 13361, EN 13362, GRI GM13 | EN 13361, EN 13362, ETN-CCL | Both certification sets apply |
| Recommended product | Carbofol® + Secutex® | Bentofix® | Carbofol® + Bentofix® + Secutex® |
Normative compliance and design flexibility
Carbofol® and Bentofix® are certified to EN 13361 / EN 13362. Design parameters (hydraulic conductivity, tensile strength, elongation, OIT) are fully documented, enabling normative specification at project level.
Long design life
A correctly installed and protected geomembrane lining reduces maintenance interventions and avoids the revenue loss associated with seepage. HDPE geomembranes are designed for a long service life in buried conditions.
Fast and verifiable installation
Carbofol® rolls up to 100 m long reduce the number of field seams. Double-wedge welding creates an air-test channel and every seam is pressure-tested. Bentofix® panels overlap and self-seal on hydration. Geosynthetic lining uses significantly less material by volume than compacted clay and no specialist concrete work is required.
Integrated single-source system
Naue supplies geomembrane, GCL, protection geotextile and erosion control systems from a single source with matching certifications. This reduces procurement complexity, ensures system compatibility and simplifies the approval process for the lining system.
Hydropower lining refers to the installation of geosynthetic barrier systems in canals, forebay basins and settling ponds serving hydropower generation plants. Uncontrolled seepage reduces available head, cuts energy yield and can undermine embankments. A correctly specified geomembrane or GCL system maintains hydraulic efficiency and structural integrity for the full design life of the scheme.
Product selection depends on subgrade conditions, hydraulic head, site access and installation constraints. Carbofol® HDPE geomembrane suits prepared granular subgrades with controlled construction traffic. Bentofix® GCL is preferred on irregular or rocky subgrades and beneath reinforced concrete structures. A composite system with Carbofol® over Bentofix® is recommended for high-head or high-risk containment.
Relevant European standards include EN 13361 (reservoirs and dams) and EN 13362 (canals) for geosynthetic barriers, and EN ISO 12958 for drainage geocomposites. The ETN-CCL certification applies to GCLs used as clay liner equivalents. National standards may additionally apply. Carbofol® and Bentofix® carry the required CE marking and third-party certification documentation.
The subgrade is compacted and freed of sharp objects. A Secutex® protection nonwoven geotextile is placed first. Carbofol® rolls are unrolled and welded using a double-wedge machine, creating an intermediate air channel. Each seam is pressure-tested before backfilling. Naue recommends engaging a certified specialist installer and conducting a pre-installation inspection of the subgrade. Full CQA documentation is available. Please see the laying and installation services page for more info on Naue´s installation offer.
Yes. Carbofol® HDPE geomembranes and Bentofix® GCLs are manufactured without plasticisers and are chemically stable in contact with fresh water. On remote sites, the low weight and volume of roll-goods reduces transport requirements compared with bulk clay. Secumat® erosion control mats support revegetation of disturbed banks, aiding compliance with the EU Water Framework Directive.
Bentofix® GCLs are certified as geosynthetic barriers to EN 13361 (reservoirs and dams) and EN 13362 (canals), and to ETN-CCL (clay liner equivalence). The hydraulic conductivity of Bentofix® is k ≤ 5 x 10-11 m/s. CE marking and Declaration of Performance documents are available from Naue on request.
Carbofol® HDPE contains carbon black (2 - 3% by mass) and has an OIT of ≥ 100 min (EN 728), providing resistance to UV degradation and oxidative ageing in exposed conditions. Bentofix® GCL benefits from the resilience of sodium bentonite under freeze-thaw cycling: bentonite re-seals on re-hydration. Both products have been installed at high altitude and in alpine climates.
Carbofol® geomembranes are anchored at the crest of canal banks and basin embankments using a buried anchor trench (typically 500 mm deep and 300 mm wide) filled with compacted soil or concrete. On steep side slopes, intermediate anchor strips or continuous anchor seams may be specified to resist downslope creep under hydraulic head. For floating or exposed liners, ballasting with pea gravel or concrete slabs prevents wind uplift. Naue’s software tools and engineering teams provide assistance for project-specific system design in accordance with EN 13361, EN 13362 and DVWK or BAW guidance.
Bentofix® GCL panels are overlapped at longitudinal and end joints. Bentofix® NSP grades feature a bentonite-enriched border strip on all four edges, which provides self-sealing at the overlap on hydration so that no additional sealant is required for standard installations. For applications with elevated ionic water chemistry (saline or contaminated inflows), contact Naue’s engineers to confirm GCL grade selection and overlap specification.
The dimensioning of geosynthetic lining systems for hydropower structures follows recognised European and international standards. Naue’s software tools assist you in selecting the correct product type, barrier class and protection level for your project - compliant and fully documented. You can also request personal advice by the Naue engineering team:
Naue Carbofol® is a HDPE liner for landfill sealing, mining containment, and groundwater protection.
Naue Bentofix® is a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) for waterproofing in landfill engineering, groundwater protection and hydraulic applications.
Naue Secutex® is a mechanically bonded nonwoven geotextile for separation, filtration and protection in roads, railways and hydraulic engineering projects.
Naue Secumat® is an erosion control mat for the protection of slopes, channels and embankments.
