HERI – Research Organisations Database

Welcome to the HERI Research Organisations Database. The database provides details of organisations actively driving research projects, strategic actions, and other endeavours within the hydropower sector.

Explore the database to discover active organisations or contribute by adding your organisation's details to enrich this collaborative resource.

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CNR Compagnie Nationale du Rhône

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FRANCE

Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) is France’s leading producer of 100% renewable electricity with a total installed capacity of 4GW (3.1GW of hydro, 735MW of wind and 135MW of solar). CNR manages the Rhône river with 19 run-of-river multipurpose assets (navigation, irrigation, hydropower generation). It has expertise in hydraulic management of river systems and O&M, among others. It also has strong competencies in ecological restoration of rivers. Besides, CNR carries out missions of general interests to develop the territories. It also innovates to optimise its practices in renewable energies such as hydrogen, battery storage systems and flexibility, floating PV, agriPV and osmotic energy.

Areas of Research

 

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne - EPFL

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SWITZERLAND

EPFL is Europe’s most cosmopolitan technical university. It welcomes students, professors and collaborators of more than 120 nationalities. EPFL has both a Swiss and international vocation and focuses on three missions: teaching, research and innovation. EPFL collaborates with an important network of partners, including other universities and colleges, secondary schools and gymnasiums, industry and the economy, political circles and the general public, with the aim of having a real impact on society.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory
  • Hydraulic Constructions Platform
  • Technology Platform for Hydraulic Machines
Research Actions

EDF Hydro - EDF R&D

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FRANCE

EDF (Electricite de France) is one of the largest power Utility in Europe. As regard to Hydropower, it owns and operates a fleet of more than 20,000 MW Hydro domestic capacity in France, including 430 power stations, more than 240 large dams, and one of the largest tidal range power plant at la Rance.
R&D and Engineering teams of EDF group are very active in all fields of research and innovation areas related to hydropower : civil engineering, dam safety, mechanics, hydraulics, hydrology, environment and river/ocean ecology, sustainability, electro-technics, economy and markets, SCADA, digitalization ... covering the whole life cycle of hydropower assets : design, construction, refurbishment, operation and maintenance, decommissiong. R&I activity.
These teams are closely connected to research partners in France, Europe and worlwide. EDF Hydro research teams are also involved in many R&I projects in France and Europe.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • EDF Hydro : Centre d'Ingenierie Hydraulique (CIH)
  • EDF Hydro : Division Technique Generale (DTG)
  • EDF R&D : LNHE, OSIRIS, ERMES departments
Research Actions

Eurac Research (Accademia Europea di Bolzano)

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ITALY

Our research addresses the greatest challenges of the future: keeping societies healthy, fostering intact environments, promoting sustainable energy and developing well-functioning political and social systems. Seeking answers through interaction between a variety of disciplines, we develop concrete solutions for regional problems which can then be applied globally. We continually strive to open new paths with science and innovation, by responding to society’s complex questions with answers geared to the needs of people.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • Center for Climate Change and Transformation
  • Center for Sensing Solutions
  • Institute for Alpine Environment
  • Institute for Earth Observation
  • Institute for Renewable Energy
Research Actions

European Renewable Energies Federation

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BELGIUM

EREF is the European federation of national renewable energy associations from across EU Member States, representing all renewable energy sectors. Since nealry 25 years, the Federation has been defending the interests of independent, renewable-sourced producers of power, fuel and heat, and promotes giving non-discriminatory access to the energy market.

EREF’s Small Hydropower Chapter, composed of national (small) hydropower associations from EU Member States, represents the interest of the European small hydropower sector by promoting the benefits and opportunities for small hydropower at EU level to secure and enhance its place as an equally important part in the EU renewable energy mix and to create business opportunities for the many small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Europe.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • EREF Small Hydropower Chapter
Research Actions

SPAIN

Generation Scheduling and Control of Hydropower Plants (GSC Hydro) is a research team of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid with experience in the development of optimization models for the electric power generation scheduling and of dynamic simulation models for the analysis of the system's frequency stability and of the contribution of various generation and storage technologies to the system's frequency control.
GSC Hydro has a broad experience in modelling the performance of hydropower and pumped-storage power plants for the above purposes, considering particular plant configurations and operation modes (variable speed, hydraulic short-circuit, high inertia conduits, etc.).

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • Hydraulic, Energy and Environmental Engineering (UPM)
  • Physic Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics (UPM)

HES SO Valais

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SWITZERLAND

Hydro Alps is an applied research and development laboratory specializing in improving the monitoring and production of Alpine high-pressure and run-of-river power plants.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • Hydro Alps Lab

International Hydropower Association

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UNITED KINGDOM

The International Hydropower Association (IHA) is a non-profit membership organisation and the global voice for sustainable hydropower.

As an association, we believe that all new hydropower projects should be developed and operated responsibly and sustainably.

IHA's mission is to advance sustainable hydropower by building and sharing knowledge on its role in renewable energy systems, responsible freshwater management and climate change solutions.

We seek to deliver on our mission through advocacy, research and policy initiatives and championing sustainable good practices.

Encompassing over 100 organisations operating in more than 120 countries, IHA's members include the world's leading hydropower developers, operators and manufacturers committed to the delivery of sustainable hydropower under the guidelines of the San Jose Declaration.

Areas of Research

 

Research Actions

NORCE NORWEGIAN RESEARCH CENTRE AS

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NORWAY

NORCE is an independent research institute that conducts research for both public and private sectors, to facilitate informed and sustainable choices for the future. We deliver research and innovation in energy, health care, climate, the environment, society and technology. Our solutions address key challenges for society and contribute to value creation on the local, national and global levels.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • DARWIN (Data, AI and Robotics)
  • The Laboratory for Fresh Water Ecology and Inland Fisheries
Research Actions

Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet - NTNU

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NORWAY

NTNU, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, is a university with a main profile in science and technology. With more than 40 000 students and 7 100 employees, it is Norway’s largest university. NTNU has four strategic areas of research in 2014-2023: sustainability, energy, oceans and health. As a supplier of high quality graduates, NTNU has a broad range of contacts with the industry. The annual budget of NTNU is around € 950 million. Four departments from NTNU are involved in the HydroFlex project.

The Department of Energy and Process Engineering at NTNU is an international driving force within education and research on the total energy chain from resource to customer. The focus is how to produce energy, which can be used by man and machine in a sustainable way, taking into consideration health, climate changes and available resources. One of the department’s principal focus areas is hydropower research, where most of the activity takes place in the Waterpower Laboratory, which combines 100 years of experience with state-of-the-art facilities that are unique in Europe. It plays a leading role in the development of global hydropower, including efficient design of hydro turbines.

The Department of Electric Power Engineering at NTNU covers the broad interdisciplinary aspects of power engineering in its research and education: generation, transmission, conversion and the use of electric energy, including the accompanying techno-economic aspects. Its mission is to contribute to the fundamental and applied knowledge of electric power engineering, and to develop technology and systems for the planning, operation and maintenance of efficient, sustainable energy systems.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NTNU provides competence and technological solutions within our areas of expertise for application in both the public and private sectors. Students and researchers graduating from our programs provide our partners with expertise and skills in the areas of civil and transportation engineering, structural engineering, water and wastewater engineering, and hydraulic engineering.

The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at NTNU has broad interdisciplinary expertise in the fields of logistics, machine design, product development, materials science and risk and reliability of complex systems. The research at the department focuses on development, optimisation and improvement of industrial processes and production systems. One of our goals is to secure the Norwegian industry and administration with access to knowledge and expertise on an international level.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
  • Electric Power Engineering
  • Energy and Process Engineering
Research Actions

Rebecchi Group

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ITALY

Our mission is to provide solutions for industry and companies to help them face the complex and constantly changing challenges of the future. Technological and scientific development doesn’t follow a linear path, infinite scenarios and opportunities open up before us, the strength of our group lies in the capacity to respond to new, complex needs with diversified skills, with our production capability, with our experience and our capacity for research at different levels. From communication to precision mechanics, from machinery to the production of energy from renewable sources, our commitment is to make the future work.
Rebecchi group has followed the evolution of the market developing new technologies and services and today the Group is driven by the passion and philosophy inherited from its founder: flexibility and care in following all the clients using best available technology standards and maximum commitment.
Rebecchi Group wanted to seize upon new incentives and opportunities offered by the market with projects of environmental sustainability and environmental integration and protection, such as the Hykinetics project (for the enhancement of water resources) and Jois (to reduce pollutants and develop a sustainable economy in the agricultural sector).

Areas of Research

 

Research Actions

Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico - RSE SpA

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ITALY

RSE carries out analysis, studies and research activities, applied to the energy sector as a whole. The big challenges and innovations stemming from advancements in the sustainable generation, distribution and storage of electrical energy, sustainable mobility and the flexibility and resilience of the energy systems provide the subject matter for RSE’s projects. RSE carries out them through a broader perspective that encopasses system scenarios, in line with the goals of the national energy policy and EU Energy Programmes. The results of RSE’s research activities are available to the full range of stakeholders in the energy field, thus being shared for the benefit of companies, market operators and citizens. RSE spans its research activity through four departments which cover the different topics of the energetic system: Materials and Generation Technologies Department (TGM); Transmission and Distribution Technologies Department (TTD); Energy Systems Development Department (SSE); Sustainable Development and Energy Sources Department (SFE). This promotes a strong interconnection between the technological (TGM and TTD) and systemic approach (SSE and SFE).

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • Energy Systems Development Department (SSE)
  • Materials and Generation Technologies Department (TGM)
  • Sustainable Development and Energy Sources Department (SFE)
  • Transmission and Distribution Technologies Department (TTD)

SuperGrid Institute Hydropower

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FRANCE

SuperGrid Institute Hydropower develops technologies for future electricity transmission & distribution systems. We play a key role in the field of grid balancing and energy storage solutions. Our experts are particularly involved in the economics of grid balancing services including energy trading and optimised management of storage assets. They also focus on enhancing the flexibility of hydropower plants through hybridisation technologies for hydraulic systems as well as improving the performance of hydraulic turbines through expertise, simulations, and testing. Testing activities are supported by two test rigs, one dedicated to validation of model test for Francis and PSP runners according to IEC60193 standard, and another one dedicated to real-time and transient tests.

Areas of Research

 

Trinity College Dublin

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IRELAND

Civil Engineering has been taught at Trinity College Dublin since 1841, and since then has played a prominent role in the development of civil engineering as an academic subject. We currently offer a range of Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses which are multi-dimensional, having a strong technical focus but also an emphasis on the development of team working skills, knowledge of ethics and an awareness of the social and environmental impacts of their work. Graduates often end up working on multi-disciplinary projects that require innovative approaches and thinking, offering exciting careers both in Ireland and abroad, including work in developing countries.

Our strong research focus on quantitative and analytical methods, the application of innovation and the development and use of new technology to solve problems in the natural and built environments. We work with industry, governments and universities across the world on research which has economic, social, political, scientific and engineering dimensions.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • Civil Engineering
Research Actions

UBITECH ENERGY

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BELGIUM

UBITECH ENERGY was founded by a blend of experienced ICT Consultants and Energy Research Innovators, with a long track record in the identification, design, development and commercialization of research and innovation smart energy projects.

Building upon a deep and thorough understanding of energy systems current needs and future challenges, these projects have been addressing a wide range of technologies and domains – including smart grid solutions, energy efficiency, IoT, cybersecurity and data privacy, renewables integration, energy markets and services, blockchain technology, cloud computing and big data analytics.

The vision of UBITECH ENERGY is to revolutionize the energy value chain with new technologies and pave the way for its new digital era.

Areas of Research

 

Research Actions

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)

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SPAIN

CDIF is a R&D center within the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC).

The research activities are developed by a group of Ph.Ds in industrial engineering, with over 30 years of experience in the field of turbomachinery vibrations, diagnosis and preventive maintenance, damage detection and fluid dynamics.Our goal is to provide technological support to industry worldwide in areas related to the field of power generation groups diagnosis, focusing on hydropower.

Our center offers technology transfer services to industry by means of consultancy and technological innovation projects in our areas of expertise: analysis and diagnosis of vibration problems in turbomachinery, remote on-line monitoring, predictive maintenance, fluid dynamics studies and on-site specialized training.

We are part of the UPC's Mechanical Engineering, Fluids and Aeronautics Ph.D. program. Our main research lines are: Structural Analysis, Diagnosis, Fluid Dynamics Simulation and Cavitation. We actively participate in leading scientifical societies/meetings/congresses in our area of expertise and our research results are published in top tier scientific journals internationally.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • Centre for Industrial Diagnostics and Fluid Dynamics (CDIF)
Research Actions

University of Padova

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ITALY

The research Group on Turbomachinery and Energy System is deeply involved in research activities dealing with fluid machines and in particular with hydropower. The group has also a research infrastructure with 4 open test-rigs for experimental analyses on turbines and pump-turbines. The main research topics are: design optimization, CFD analyses, cavitation, sediment transportation, hybridization, machine and system modelling for optimal management and predictive maintenance.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • Department of Industrial Engineering
Research Actions

vgbe energy e.V.

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GERMANY

vgbe energy e.V. is the technical association of energy plant operators. Our members are companies that operate power, heat and cooling, energy storage and sector coupling plants worldwide.

vgbe energy l Hydro Power, as part of vgbe energy, is the first address for interested parties in techno-economic and ecological issues as well as application-oriented research concerning hydropower and maintenance and it performs as the collective European platform and key representative for operators, manufacturers and suppliers of the hydropower community.

Areas of Research

 

Departments
  • Hydropower
Research Actions