Hydro Energy Research Articles

Coordinated operation of pumped hydro energy storage with reversible pump turbine and co-located battery energy storage system

Abstract This publication examines the coordinated operation of pumped hydro energy storage and battery energy storage systems to improve profitability. While pumped hydro energy storages offer high storage capacity but have slower response times, battery energy storage systems have lower capacity but faster response times. A hybrid system combining both can thus harness synergies. A mixed-integer linear programming model was developed to depict the coordinated use of both systems in the German market. The proposed approach is also applicable to other regional markets where energy and balancing services are traded in a similar manner. In this model, the pumped hydro energy storage operates in the spot market and provides automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve, while the battery energy storage systems supplies Frequency Containment Reserve. The model takes into account the costs caused by degradation effects in both storage types. The results show a 10.05 % increase in revenue through coordination compared to the independent operation of both storage systems. This added value can be achieved through more efficient use of the power capacity, particularly that of the battery energy storage systems, in coordinated operation.

Techno-economic assessment of 1TW Solar and wind system with thermal and pumped hydro energy storage in Saudi Arabia

Techno-economic assessment of 1TW Solar and wind system with thermal and pumped hydro energy storage in Saudi Arabia

Comprehensive assessment and analysis of cavitation scale effects on energy conversion and stability in pumped hydro energy storage units

Comprehensive assessment and analysis of cavitation scale effects on energy conversion and stability in pumped hydro energy storage units

Integrated Water Resources Management for Implementing Sustainable Energy Development—Challenges and Perspectives in Poland

Climate change causes a problem for the energy system in Poland, which is based on the availability of water resources throughout the year. In situations of water scarcity resulting from increased demand or due to water deficits caused by the phenomenon of drought, it is necessary to develop efficient management methods that take into account the needs of all stakeholders and obtaining approval for new investments. The principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) enable this efficiency to be achieved. The research used 51 questions in 3 surveys to assess the potential for IWRM implementation in 3 catchments located in an area of southern and south-western Poland with different topography, regional and socio-economic characteristics, i.e., the Białka (tourism domination), the Nysa Kłodzka (potential for hydropower) and the Widawa (lowland character). In order to interpret the results, the author’s method of grouping survey questions from different sources was applied. The results of the study showed that there is considerable social potential and willingness to develop cooperation between different stakeholder groups but there are barriers related to the state of knowledge and its transfer between stakeholders. It is important not to ignore the stakeholders whose resistance can effectively delay investment processes.

QUANTUM-INSPIRED CRYPTO SOLUTIONS:PIONEERING SUSTAINABLE FREQUENCIES

This project aims to develop a secure application that leverages quantum, computing and Google Quantum AI with a strong focus on sustainability .The application will employ advanced cryptographic techniques, including XOR gate signal processing and control engineering binomial z-transform methods, to ensure robust security and effectively prevent cybercrime. The application will be powered by renewable energy sources, specifically solar power, hydroelectric energy, and wind turbines. These renewable sources will be integrated with the quantum processor, utilizing AI predictive optimization control to efficiently manage energy consumption and maximize performance.This integration ensures that the application operates at peak efficiency while minimizing its carbon footprint. For example, the quantum processors operation can be optimized to align with the availability of renewable energy. During peak sunlight hours, solar panels can supply abundant power to the quantum processor, while the AI system predicts and adjusts the processors workload accordingly. Similarly, hydroelectric and wind turbine-generated power can be monitored and managed to provide consis- tent energy, ensuring that the quantum processor maintains high efficiency even when renewable energy availability fluctuates. Overall, this project represents a pioneering effort in the integration of quantum computing with sustainable practices, aiming to provide a secure and eco-friendly solution for modern cryptographic challenges.

Evaluating the Potential of Copulas for Modeling Correlated Scenarios for Hydro, Wind, and Solar Energy

The increasing global adoption of variable renewable energy (VRE) sources has transformed the use of forecasting, scenario planning, and other techniques for managing their inherent generation uncertainty and interdependencies. What were once desirable enhancements are now fundamental requirements. This is more prominent in Brazil, given the large hydro capacity that has been installed. Given the need to understand the interdependencies within variable renewable energy systems, copula-based techniques are receiving increasing consideration. The objective is to explore and model the correlation and complementarity, based on the copula approach, evaluating the potential of this methodology considering a case test composed of hydro, wind, and solar assets. The proposed framework simulated joint scenarios for monthly natural energy (streamflows transformed into energy), wind speed and solar radiation, applied to a small case test, considering historical data from the Brazilian energy system. The results demonstrate that simulated scenarios are validated by their ability to replicate key statistical attributes of the historical record, as well as the interplay and complementarity among hydrology, wind speed, and solar radiation.

SWOT Analysis of Wind, Hydro, and Solar Energy Power Generation: Applications and Future Development in China

China is currently undergoing a transition in its energy structure, gradually reducing reliance on fossil fuels and increasing the proportion of clean energy sources. The government actively promotes the development of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, while encouraging technological innovation to enhance energy efficiency. Additionally, China is exploring and promoting new energy technologies like nuclear and hydrogen power to establish a greener and low-carbon energy system in line with sustainable development goals. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the current status of wind, solar, and hydro energy in China using a SWOT analysis approach. It examines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with each energy source, focusing particularly on their environmental impacts, technological hurdles, and resource distribution. Wind power stands out as an essential element within China's renewable energy mix due to its substantial potential for power generation capacity - ranking second globally. However, it confronts concerns regarding its environmental implications as well as output variability. Solar energy has advantages in directing solar power conversion and easy recycling; it exhibits promising prospects. But encounters conflicts related to land use and efficiency issues. Hydropower continues to be a major contributor; nevertheless, it poses ecological and social challenges. Furthermore, this paper scrutinizes China's leadership in renewable energy while offering recommendations for sustainable development and policy improvements that can facilitate its ongoing transition towards cleaner sources of power.

Pumped hydro energy storage to support 100% renewable energy

Abstract The rapidly growing scale of solar photovoltaics and wind energy coupled with electrification of transport, heating and industry offers an affordable pathway for achieving deep decarbonization. Massive integration of variable solar photovoltaics and wind energy requires large-scale adoption of short (seconds-hours) and long (hours-days) duration energy storage. Currently, long-duration pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) accounts for about 95% of global energy storage for the electricity sector. This paper discusses the Global PHES Atlases developed by the Australian National University which identify 0.8 million off-river (closed-loop) PHES sites with a combined 86 million Gigawatt-hours of storage potential, which is about 3 years of current global electricity production. These Atlases show that most global jurisdictions have vast potential for low-cost PHES with small water and land requirements, and that do not require new dams on rivers. The low capital cost of premium PHES systems ($ per kilowatt-hour) is pointed out. Methods for creating shortlists of promising PHES sites from the Atlases for detailed investigation are developed.

ENHANCING VOLTAGE STABILITY AND ENERGY OUTPUT OF PLTM SALIDO IN THE PLN DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Distributed generation (DG) integration in PLN’s extended distribution network often encounters voltage instability issues due to high voltage drops. These challenges restrict power delivery and can lead to disconnection, particularly during peak load conditions. This study investigates methods to enhance voltage stability and optimize the energy output of PLTM Salido. Using ETAP Power Station software, various operational schemes were simulated to address the problem of low terminal voltage. The study focused on the impact of reactive power injection and governor settings optimization to maintain generator performance under high demand. Results indicate that reactive power injection significantly improves terminal voltage, ensuring continuous power delivery. Adding a third generator unit further increased energy supply capacity, leveraging the full potential of available hydropower. The optimized operation of PLTM Salido with two generators increased daily energy output by 32.2%, while introducing a third generator boosted energy delivery by 107%. This research highlights the critical role of reactive power management and system configuration in enhancing the performance of small-scale hydropower plants in rural distribution networks.

Mitigation strategies can alleviate power system vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather: a case study on the Italian grid

Abstract This study explores compounding impacts of climate change on power system’s load and generation, emphasising the need to integrate adaptation and mitigation strategies into investment planning. We combine existing and novel empirical evidence to model impacts on: (i) air-conditioning demand; (ii) thermal power outages; (iii) hydro-power generation shortages. Using a power dispatch and capacity expansion model, we analyse the Italian power system’s response to these climate impacts in 2030, integrating mitigation targets and optimising for cost-efficiency at an hourly resolution. We outline different meteorological scenarios to explore the impacts of both average climatic changes and the intensification of extreme weather events. We find that addressing extreme weather in power system planning will require an extra 5–8 GW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity, on top of the 50 GW of the additional solar PV capacity required by the mitigation target alone. Despite the higher initial investments, we find that the adoption of renewable technologies, especially PV, alleviates the power system’s vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events. In fact, renewable energy sources are generally less vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns, compared to thermal power and hydropower generation. Furthermore, enhancing short-term storage with lithium-ion batteries is crucial to counterbalance the reduced availability of dispatchable hydro generation.

Research on Future Development and Challenges of New Energy

Renewable energy has emerged as a crucial solution to address the twin challenges of global climate change and the depletion of traditional energy resources. This study aims to analyze the potential of various renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy, to replace conventional energy systems while mitigating environmental impacts. Through a review of current development status, this paper identifies key challenges, such as technological limitations, high initial costs, policy barriers, and resource intermittency, that hinder the adoption of renewables. Using a mixed-methods approach, including data analysis and case studies from leading renewable energy projects, the research highlights strategies for overcoming these challenges. The findings suggest that integrating innovative technologies, implementing supportive policies, and fostering international collaboration are critical to achieving a sustainable energy future. This paper concludes that while significant hurdles remain, renewable energy holds transformative potential to ensure long-term environmental and energy security.

Evaluation of future hydropower potential for mountainous headwaters in response to climate change

Snowmelt runoff and hydropower generation performance together with reservoir storages were evaluated for climate projections in two mountainous headwaters in Türkiye’s north (Black Sea Region) and south (Mediterranean Region). The EU-CORDEX database was used to obtain an ensemble of different Global Climate Models under two scenarios. Moreover, evaluations were performed regarding the Global Warming Levels. The results indicate that a dramatic increase in temperatures and alterations in precipitation patterns will bring significant decreases in snow variables and inflows, which will be particularly pronounced in the southern basin. HBV-Light and WEAP model were used to estimate future reservoir inflows and hydropower generation projections through reservoir operations, respectively. The hydropower generation is anticipated to decline up to 35% and 9% in the southern and northern basins, respectively, for far future (2075-2099). Four management scenarios (including increased irrigation and operational hydropower capacity) were assessed for reconsideration of operation strategies.

Potential assessment and analysis of renewable energy sources and technologies of Egypt’s present state: Toward a sustainable energy future

The need for renewable energy sources has increased recently due to the desire to mitigate climate change and achieve sustainability. The swift population growth in Egypt makes expanding the energy sector a pressing concern. In particular, renewable energy source (RES) applications are crucial to meeting energy demand. Therefore, Egypt has big plans for RESs to combine economic growth with a clean energy future. Egypt, one of the largest economies on the African continent, plays a crucial role in the international energy transit market. However, local energy demands continue to overburden the country’s energy sector. If traditional power generation methods supply Egypt’s energy needs, then the country’s CO2 emissions are projected to increase by around 125% between 2012 and 2035. This article summarizes Egypt’s current energy situation and looks at the country’s ability to produce electricity from sustainable sources. As part of an analysis of Egypt’s renewable energy projects, the hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy resources provided came with comprehensive and detailed explanations of the green technologies in use. The evaluation includes facts about the sites, land area, capital costs, electrical capacity, technical specifications, specifics about the machinery and equipment, and other relevant components of the projects. Also, waste role energy management is presented. Overall, research indicates that Egypt’s abundant and varied resources in the renewable energy industry are not yet fully utilized to generate sustainable energy. The Egyptian government is moving very quickly to increase the production of renewable energy in partnership with the private sector. The results of this study should assist Egypt and other nations in laying the groundwork for attaining the NET Zero goal, which the entire globe hopes to accomplish in the next decades.

An Integrated Strategy for Hybrid Energy Storage Systems to Stabilize the Frequency of the Power Grid Through Primary Frequency Regulation

As the penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) in power systems continues to increase, their volatility and unpredictability have exacerbated the burden of frequency regulation (FR) on conventional generator units (CGUs). Therefore, to reduce frequency deviations caused by comprehensive disturbances and improve system frequency stability, this paper proposes an integrated strategy for hybrid energy storage systems (HESSs) to participate in primary frequency regulation (PFR) of the regional power grid. Once the power grid frequency exceeds the deadband (DB) of the HESS, the high-frequency signs of the power grid frequency are managed by the battery energy storage system (BESS) through a division strategy, while the remaining parts are allocated to pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES). By incorporating positive and negative virtual inertia control and adaptive droop control, the BESS effectively maintains its state of charge (SOC), reduces the steady-state frequency deviation of the system, and provides rapid frequency support. When the system frequency lies within the DB of the HESS, an SOC self-recovery strategy restores the BESS SOC to an ideal range, further enhancing its long-term frequency regulation (FR) capability. Finally, a regional power grid FR model is established in the RT-1000 real-time simulation system. Simulation validation is conducted under three scenarios: step disturbances, short-term continuous disturbances, and long-term RES disturbances. The results show that the proposed integrated strategy for HESS participation in PFR not only significantly improves system frequency stability but also enhances the FR capability of the BESS.

Renewable Energy in the Western Balkans and EU Policy: Pathway to Regional Net-Zero

Abstract The six Western Balkan countries (WB6), which include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, are in a critical phase of their development and face various economic, political and environmental challenges. Political uncertainties, economic imbalances, and institutional weaknesses have hindered their progress in achieving sustainable development goals. Among these challenges, the energy sector stands out as a priority due to its significant impact on economic growth, climate change, and environmental sustainability. The energy landscape in the region is dominated by conventional and non-renewable energy sources, leading to concerns about energy security and environmental degradation. Dependence on fossil fuels exposes these countries to volatile energy prices and increases their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. There is an urgent need to develop cleaner and sustainable energy sources to promote economic growth while mitigating the harmful effects of climate change. Hydropower capacity in the WB6 countries is estimated to be significant and offers the opportunity to generate clean energy. A comprehensive overview of the hydropower potential in the WB6 countries considers factors such as river systems, water availability, topography, and technical capabilities. The promotion of renewable energy, especially sustainable hydropower, is central to achieving a sustainable future in the WB6 countries. By harnessing their hydropower potential and addressing environmental and social concerns, these countries can boost their economic growth, combat climate change, and improve their energy security for a prosperous and sustainable future.

Runoff simulation and hydropower resource prediction of the Kaidu River Basin in the Tianshan Mountains, China

The Tianshan Mountains of Central Asia, highly sensitive to climate change, has been comprehensively assessed for its ecosystem vulnerability across multiple aspects. However, studies on the region’s main river systems and hydropower resources remain limited. Thus, examining the impact of climate change on the runoff and gross hydropower potential (GHP) of this region is essential for promoting sustainable development and effective management of water and hydropower resources. This study focused on the Kaidu River Basin that is situated above the Dashankou Hydropower Station on the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, China. By utilizing an ensemble of bias-corrected global climate models (GCMs) from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model coupled with a glacier module (VIC–Glacier), we examined the variations in future runoff and GHP during 2017–2070 under four shared socio-economic pathway (SSP) scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) compared to the baseline period (1985–2016). The findings indicated that precipitation and temperature in the Kaidu River Basin exhibit a general upward trend under the four SSP scenarios, with the fastest rate of increase in precipitation under the SSP2-4.5 scenario and the most significant changes in mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, compared to the baseline period (1980–2016). Future runoff in the basin is projected to decrease, with rates of decline under the SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios being 3.09, 3.42, 7.04, and 7.20 m3/s per decade, respectively. The trends in GHP are consistent with runoff, with rates of decline in GHP under the SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios at 507.74, 563.33, 1158.44, and 1184.52 MW/10a, respectively. Compared to the baseline period (1985–2016), the rates of change in GHP under the SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios are −20.66%, −20.93%, −18.91%, and −17.49%, respectively. The Kaidu River Basin will face significant challenges in water and hydropower resources in the future, underscoring the need to adjust water resource management and hydropower planning within the basin.

Modelling reactive transport of metals in Wujiang cascade reservoirs under coal-fired, hydro power generation and fishing ban scenarios

Modelling reactive transport of metals in Wujiang cascade reservoirs under coal-fired, hydro power generation and fishing ban scenarios

Social Acceptance of Green Infrastructure Adoption in Lithuania

Lithuania aims to have entirely renewable energy sector in the future, which will increase demand for sustainable infrastructure that integrates wind, solar, hydro, bio, geothermal, ocean, and hydrogen energy sources. This study uses demographic data to assess public acceptance of green infrastructure. While older, lower-income, rural, and less educated groups are more sceptical, younger, wealthy, urban, and highly educated people exhibit greater acceptance. These observations highlight the need of taking demography into account when trying to achieve broad acceptability and a successful transition to sustainability.

The dynamic linkage and network connectivity of renewable energy and electricity markets from a time-frequency perspective

The information spillovers between renewable energy and electricity markets are more frequent, and there is a complex dynamic linkage. Based on the time-frequency perspective, this paper adopts the methods of Time Varying Parameter-Vector Auto Regression-Stochastic Volatility and network topology analysis to examine the dynamic linkage of various renewable energy and electricity markets. The results show that the risk spillover between renewable energy and electricity markets has time-varying asymmetric. Specifically, the spillover path of electricity, hydro, and geothermal energy markets has not changed significantly before and after major emergencies, but wind, solar energy, and green power have been affected. Additionally, the time-varying spillover effect between renewable energy and electricity markets has time-lag and periodicity. In other words, the shock of electricity to renewable energy markets lasts for one week and reaches its maximum in the current period, while the shock of renewable energy to the electricity markets exceeds ten weeks and reaches its maximum after about five weeks. Finally, the medium-term negative impact of electricity on renewable energy markets is more significant, while the short-term and medium-term negative impact of renewable energy on electricity markets is stronger, except for wind energy. These findings provide valuable insights for government regulation and investment decisions in the energy market.

Unlocking Hydropower’s Potential: Retrofitting Infrastructure and Harnessing Unconventional Sources for Clean Energy Transitions

Abstract Hydropower holds a pivotal role within the water-energy nexus for facilitating the clean energy transition, particularly in unconventional and retrofit opportunities. As a renewable energy source, hydropower contributes to decarbonizing the energy sector while simultaneously supporting water management objectives. By integrating hydropower generation into existing infrastructure such as water supply systems, weirs, irrigation networks, and wastewater treatment facilities, synergies can be leveraged to optimize resource utilization and enhance system resilience. This further offers some options for diversifying the electricity mix and speeding up the clean energy transition. However, the complex interaction between water availability and energy production necessitates careful planning and adaptive strategies to mitigate risks associated with climate variability and changing demand patterns. Unlocking the potential of hydropower through these unconventional and retrofitting opportunities is thus instrumental in advancing sustainability goals and ensuring the success of clean energy transitions in the face of various challenges. By leveraging existing infrastructure and exploring innovative solutions, countries stand to significantly enhance its energy resilience and reduce its carbon footprint. Moreover, such initiatives align with broader international objectives, including the Paris Agreement’s vision of transitioning to a zero-emission society by 2050 and the European Union’s FIT for 55 targets. Under these considerations, this paper seeks to explore the potential of retrofitting existing infrastructure and harnessing unconventional hydropower sources with examples in Czechia, South Africa and Türkiye to address electricity shortages, mitigate carbon emissions, and contribute to the broader clean energy transition agenda. The insights gained from this analysis can inform policy frameworks, investment strategies, and technological innovations aimed at fostering sustainable energy practices.