Page 54 - European Energy Innovation - autumn 2018 publication

54 Autumn 2018 European Energy Innovation
HYDROPOWER
aim is to enable wider operating
ranges, faster ramping rates and
longer lifetime. By effective use of
variable-speed operation, single-
regulated Francis turbines can
become double-regulated machines,
with wider efficiency curves and
increased operating range. Variable-
speed turbines also have significant
potential for improvement in quick
response for power output variations,
thus utilising the flywheel effect from Furthermore, more flexibility
the rotating masses.
In combination with modern power
electronic converter technology,
hydropower plants can provide a
set of ancillary services, such as
frequency control, reactive power
compensation, oscillation damping
and increased transient stability to
other units in the power system.
Converting existing hydropower
plants to pump-storage power
plants enable optimal adaptation to
markets variations and demands.
Just replacing a Francis turbine with
a pump-turbine gives cavitation
problems in pumping mode. This
can be resolved by using a booster
pump. The design of such a pump in
combination with the pump-turbine
is now being explored; it significantly encompasses a project portfolio that
reduces investment costs and
optimises use of existing facilities
compared to a full refurbishment.
demands more intermittent operation
of the plants, without increase in
operational costs. Hence, condition
modelling and lifetime assessment
becomes important issues for
research: detailed fatigue modelling
of turbine runners, optimal operation
of a fleet of aggregates, monitoring of A RELIABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY
in intakes and tunnels.
Effects of climate change is a
pressing issue, and the possibility
for water management in regulated
rivers has given hydropower a new
role related to flood dampening and
drought control. Still, hydropower
production affects local environment,
and increased flexible production
in the future could change the
conditions in the watercourses. Our
concept ‘Environmental Design’
develop specific tools and methods
to mitigate impacts and secure good
environmental standards in regulated
rivers, e.g. solutions for two-way
fish migration, fish-friendly intakes,
improvement of spawning habitats,
solutions for DNA-mapping and
biodiversity monitoring.
HYDROPOWER AT THE CORE
OF THE EUROPEAN ENERGY
TRANSITION: THE ENABLER FOR
SYSTEM
Reduction of GHG-emissions is not
optional: we do not have choice in
order to meet the growing demand
for electricity in Europe and in the
world. A full renewable energy system
is a huge part of the answer to this.
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu