Page 53 - European Energy Innovation - autumn 2018 publication
P. 53
Autumn 2018 European Energy Innovation 53
HYDROPOWER
have investigated future needs renewables in Europe, uniting high increasingly fluctuating. This stresses
for flexibility to maintain a secure, flexibility with new technologies. the components; it reduces lifetime
renewable energy system. A general and increases maintenance costs.
conclusion is that hydropower, due NEW NEEDS – NEW RESEARCH AND
to its quick response time and good INNOVATION Through new research, we are able
ramping capabilities, represents a At the Norwegian Research Centre for to develop the technology necessary
very important asset for the system Hydropower Technology – HydroCen , for hydropower plants to operate
operator. the main objective is to ensure future in tune with future market needs,
value creation from one of the most grid requirements, environmental
Hydropower has been a reliable efficient renewable energy sources. constraints and water management
energy source for over a century and For more than a century, Norway has regulations. In order to achieve
often regarded as a ‘conventional’ developed its hydropower system to this, we address the system across
technology. Yet, hydropower is 100% deliver our entire domestic electricity disciplines: dams, intakes, tunnels;
renewable and utilises over 90% of demand; industrial, commercial and turbine and generators; market and
the potential energy of water, where households. Thus, Norway has led services; environmental design.
solar cells and wind turbines (and the way for hydropower innovations,
coal) have an efficiency of 15-40 excellent engineering competence, THE INNOVATION POTENTIAL
percent. Hydropower plants have and in recent years, environmental Innovation requires connection
significantly longer lifetime with 60 design. between theory and application. In
years and upwards. Hydropower can HydroCen we have gathered a partner
be regulated and stored in reservoirs, Still, the future energy system consortium that covers the whole
and is able to deliver very quick presents new challenges. Historically, value chain, from basic research to
response on production and power hydropower plants were typically tech developers and consultancies.
for balancing and ancillary services. designed to operate with stable
In this respect, hydropower is a key loading over longer periods (seasons). One pressing topic is variable
player for development of more However, load requirements become speed operation of turbines. The
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