HERI – Research Actions Database

Welcome to the HERI Research Actions Database. The database provides details of past and present research actions related to all aspects of hydropower. The database has been structured following the categorisation developed for the HYDROPOWER EUROPE research and innovation agenda, and Strategic Industry Roadmap.

The database contents have been collated from a variety of organisations working on research actions across all sectors of the hydropower industry. The information has been share freely and is available as open access. You can search the database or add details of new initiatives to the database via the buttons below.

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INNOVATIVE STORAGE TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS IN HYDROPOWER

Description

STOR-HY aims to minimize CAPEX, OPEX for innovative pumped storage projects. This is achieved by enhancing the lifetime and recyclability of components and equipment, and devising operation strategies for unconventional schemes through sensor-based condition monitoring systems. These systems detect early failure mechanisms, enabling the postponement of unnecessary maintenance actions and avoiding unplanned outages. Furthermore, strategic use of digital tools for operational management is employed to improve efficiency, reliability, and availability of Pumped Storage Plants. Considering energy and market demand dynamics, variable renewable generation, and integration, STOR-HY addresses climate change effects and enhances flexibility and resilience of the EU energy grid. The project focuses on optimizing plant availability, offering increased storage potential, peak shaving, fast response regulation, and ancillary services for grid resilience. The integration of digital tools, real-time controllers, monitoring strategies, and predictive maintenance algorithms is consolidated in a Cyber-physical platform for Advanced Decision Support (CADS). This platform, along with high-tech computational models, enables the realistic estimation of critical component degradation in short- and long-term operations. This information supports informed decision-making in PSP operation and aids in the design of innovative control strategies for challenging conditions. These developments result in a broader operating range and increased flexibility in EU hydropower generation and storage potential. STOR-HY prioritizes building regional connections with local stakeholders, industry, academia, and policy institutions. Sustainability considerations encompass environmental, circularity, economic, and social aspects, drawing insights from previous projects. These insights include on-site impacts, societal acceptance, ecological concerns, and LCC.

Organisations

  • Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) - Coordinator
  • NORCE NORWEGIAN RESEARCH CENTRE AS - Partner
  • EDF Hydro - EDF R&D - Partner
  • vgbe energy e.V. - Partner

Funding

  • National funding
  • European funding

Specific Funding Sources:
N/A

Level of Action:

European

Applications

Large-hydro, Storage Hydropower, Pumped Storage

Keywords

Awareness, Communication, Digitalization, Economics, Financing, Flexibility, Grids, Maintenance, Modeling / Simulation, Networking, Policy, Pumps, Sediments, Sustainability, Turbines

Areas of Research

Research and Innovation Agenda

  • Developing and optimising hydraulic design and control strategies for pump turbines and waterway system in existing PSH
  • Developing design algorithm and innovative construction technologies for new PSH parallel to existing storage powerplants by using existing upper and lower reservoirs
  • Improving feasibility and cost-efficiency of seawater PSH
  • Further improving the efficiency and operation range of variable speed pump turbines
  • Developing suitable equipment for low-head PSH
  • Analysing the relation between flexible operation and lifetime reduction
  • Improvement of operation at minimum load
  • Developing reversible Pump-Turbines fit for purpose in seawater environment
  • Developing robust designs of hydro plant components
  • New simulation tools (also for power system level modelling) for new harsher operation conditions in conjunction with the material properties of the machine sets
  • Understanding and numerically predicting the power plant performance at off-design operating conditions
  • Development and application of a business model for flexibility to decarbonise the energy sector
  • Developing a seamless, integrated and knowledge-based system from components and system conditions, as well as resources to optimise revenue generation from energy and flexibility markets
  • Enhancing computer models to optimise the control system structures, including in run-of-river power plants
  • Further development of the high-performance approach for the Hydropower Modernisation Initiative (HMI) designing and development of devices satisfying dynamic demands
  • Developing cheap, easy-to-install, industrial WIFI-able sensors/actuators/controllers and energy-independent sensors
  • Developing monitoring techniques that isolate the effect of materials on lifetime needs and modelling the cost of service (wear and tear) in relation to expected gains
  • Develop new online monitoring and diagnostic systems with intelligent sensors that predict the optimal maintenance interval based on the method of operation
  • Development of novel coating material
  • Better understanding of the hydro-abrasion process and wear of hydraulic structures and its mechanical equipment to advance mechanistic abrasion models
  • Development of innovative resistant coat for turbines for turbid waters during suspended sediment release
  • Integrating storage and pumped storage in hybrid and virtual power plants
  • Developing and optimising Integrated Sea Water PSH and Desalination Plant (SWRO) schemes
  • Development of innovative, multipurpose tidal/kinetic schemes in marine environment
  • Measures and approaches to protect biodiversity

Strategic Industry Roadmap

  • Increase Awareness of European Citizens of the Importance of Hydropower Development
  • Development of Regional Multi-Stakeholder Forums
  • Development of Strategies for Better Communication of the Value of Hydro for Society
  • Giving a Single Voice to the Sector Within Europe
  • Contribute to supply Security, Decentralisation and Independence of the European Energy System with PSH
  • Increase Resilience by Mitigating the Impact of Ageing and Maintaining the High Safety Level of Power Plants
  • Develop Technical, Social and Environmental Innovations for Supporting the European Green Deal

Last Updated: 04/03/2025 13:35

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STOR-HY

Call Number

HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-01-16

Project Number

101172905

Start Date
2024
End Date
2028

Budget Range
€5,000,000 - €10,000,000

Project website

 

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Funded by
the European Union