Periodic Reporting for period 2 - XFLEX HYDRO (Hydropower Extending Power System Flexibility)
Reporting period: 2021-03-01 to 2022-02-28
The overall objectives to demonstrate solutions to build a low carbon and climate resilient future for the energy system mix are the following:
- To demonstrate how to increase the potential of the hydroelectric technologies in providing flexibility to the electric power system while achieving an improved average annual overall efficiency of the hydroelectric machinery, providing high availability of the hydroelectric power plants and further maximising their performances;
- To demonstrate the system integration methodology of hydroelectric technology solutions such as fixed and variable speed, pump power regulation, battery hybridisation, advanced monitoring and digitalisation, and to draw the roadmap for the deployment of this system integration to all kinds of European hydroelectric power plants of all sizes; being existing, uprated or new.
Further the management and ethic main objectives, these overall objectives are achieved along the three innovation, demonstration and deployment actions, Figure 1.
- To demonstrate how to increase the potential of the hydroelectric technologies in providing flexibility to the electric power system while achieving an improved average annual overall efficiency of the hydroelectric machinery, providing high availability of the hydroelectric power plants and further maximising their performances;
- To demonstrate the system integration methodology of hydroelectric technology solutions such as fixed and variable speed, pump power regulation, battery hybridisation, advanced monitoring and digitalisation, and to draw the roadmap for the deployment of this system integration to all kinds of European hydroelectric power plants of all sizes; being existing, uprated or new.
Further the management and ethic main objectives, these overall objectives are achieved along the three innovation, demonstration and deployment actions, Figure 1.
The course overview of the project work packages is described in Figure 2. All the tasks scheduled during the first 30 months are successfully performed despite the mitigation measures to limit the pandemic impact.
In the D2.1 and D2.2 deliverables, the ancillary service matrix, Figure 3, is providing a synthetic mapping of new opportunities in the decarbonization plans of the economy.
The design of the SPPS, Smart Power Plant Supervisor, is achieved by defining all components, required information and control blocks, Figure 4 and Deliverable D3.1. The methodology enables to integrate advanced hydroelectric technology solutions, including advanced monitoring, control and communication with all the hydropower plant functional levels to increase the availability, flexibility and lifespan of the units and the ancillary services provision to the grid.
Z'Mutt PSP goal is to demonstrate the capability of variable speed technology to increase flexibility and to provide more services to the grid. Z’Mutt is part of the Grande Dixence scheme in Switzerland, Figure 5. It features 4 main storage pumps and a 5th reversible unit, regulating the glacier water inflow, to be replaced by a 5 MW Francis type variable speed pump-turbine. The initial studies are successfully performed and the unit installation is completed, Figure 6. The build of the damage hill chart, Figure 7, enables the adaptation of the SPPS to optimize the fast change-over sequences and the power regulation services.
Frades II PSP goal is to demonstrate the potential of variable speed combined with HSC, Hydraulic Short Circuit, mode, Figure 8, to further improve the average annual overall efficiency, the performance the maintenance intervals to minimize the outage time. In Portugal, Frades II is featuring 2 variable speed reversible pump-turbines units of 780 MW total power.
Grand Maison PSP goal is to demonstrate the potential of HSC mode combined with advanced control to further enhance provision of ancillary services. In France, Grand Maison is the largest PSP in Europe with 1'800 MW generating capacity and 1'240 MW pumping capacity. The 950 m head PSP is featuring 4 Pelton turbines located at ground level and 8 pump-turbine reversible units underground. The hydraulic investigations enable to specify the HSC mode. Then, the PSP is instrumented and the Hydro Clone digital twin deployed to perform qualification tests of the HSC operation, Figure 9. Such efforts reached their climax when the demonstrator was ready for trial run, in June 2021 and the demonstrator is put in industrial operation with a regular basis HSC mode for grid support.
The Alqueva PSP goal is to demonstrate low CAPEX opportunities to extend the operating range and flexible services offered with the help of the HSC mode coupled with the SPPS. In Portugal, Alqueva, Figure 10, is featuring Alqueva I and Alqueva II power houses, each with 2 fixed-speed reversible Francis pump-turbines of 520 MW total power. Further the initial studies, the technical feasibility of the enhanced modes and the baseline database of the SPPS are achieved. The database is built over a collection and analysis of operation historical data, dynamics numerical simulations, development of an improved damage model, Figure 11.
Alto Lindoso and the follower Caniçada SHP goals are to demonstrate low CAPEX opportunities to extend services offered by an existing SHP equipped with Francis turbine units and compare them to a variable speed conversion. In Portugal, Alto Lindoso, Figure 12, is featuring two 317 MW Francis Turbine of 288 m head and Caniçada is featuring two 35 MW of 121 m head. After the initial studies, the multi-dimensional approach is performed to develop the damage model of the two power plant units to feed the SPPS. This approach includes the historical operation data analysis, the CFD, FEM and transient operation numerical simulations, both the reduced scale model and the field tests. In particular, the reduced-scale model test of the Alto-Lindoso turbine is performed at the EPFL test rig, Figure 13. The resulting damage model will enable to optimize the unit operation in the enhanced operating range.
The Vogelgrün run of river power plant goal is to demonstrate the battery hybridization opportunity to extend services offered by an existing power plant. In France, Vogelgrün is featuring four 35 MW Kaplan Turbine of 12.5 m head. The hybridization shall provide improved grid services while reducing wear and tear and keeping the technology competitive. The battery size optimisation and hybrid controller algorithm are successfully performed and the battery system installed. Furthermore, the control algorithm is implemented at site to balance the load between turbine and battery to supply grid FCR. To establish the wear and tear model, a multidimensional approach uses the onsite data acquired through monitoring of both the hybrid and the sister non-hybrid units, together with the Hydro Clone digital twin, Figure 14, and with the actual components stress computation. The hybrid unit G1 went online as an industrial demonstrator on August 2021. Up to February 2022, the hybrid unit has achieved in total, 20 operation weeks.
Supplying the technical white paper providing the guideline to enhance the potential of a HPP based on the demonstrated innovative technological solutions and flexibility services is one of the main project objectives. The demonstrator implementation timeline is standardized and KPIs, Key Performance Indicators, are defined to each technology. The D10.1 deliverable is issued to provide KPIs for assessing and monitoring the flexible technology implementations throughout the project solutions demonstrations, Figure 15.
Both the D11.1 and D11.3 deliverables are issued for the industrial deployment in Europe.
In the D2.1 and D2.2 deliverables, the ancillary service matrix, Figure 3, is providing a synthetic mapping of new opportunities in the decarbonization plans of the economy.
The design of the SPPS, Smart Power Plant Supervisor, is achieved by defining all components, required information and control blocks, Figure 4 and Deliverable D3.1. The methodology enables to integrate advanced hydroelectric technology solutions, including advanced monitoring, control and communication with all the hydropower plant functional levels to increase the availability, flexibility and lifespan of the units and the ancillary services provision to the grid.
Z'Mutt PSP goal is to demonstrate the capability of variable speed technology to increase flexibility and to provide more services to the grid. Z’Mutt is part of the Grande Dixence scheme in Switzerland, Figure 5. It features 4 main storage pumps and a 5th reversible unit, regulating the glacier water inflow, to be replaced by a 5 MW Francis type variable speed pump-turbine. The initial studies are successfully performed and the unit installation is completed, Figure 6. The build of the damage hill chart, Figure 7, enables the adaptation of the SPPS to optimize the fast change-over sequences and the power regulation services.
Frades II PSP goal is to demonstrate the potential of variable speed combined with HSC, Hydraulic Short Circuit, mode, Figure 8, to further improve the average annual overall efficiency, the performance the maintenance intervals to minimize the outage time. In Portugal, Frades II is featuring 2 variable speed reversible pump-turbines units of 780 MW total power.
Grand Maison PSP goal is to demonstrate the potential of HSC mode combined with advanced control to further enhance provision of ancillary services. In France, Grand Maison is the largest PSP in Europe with 1'800 MW generating capacity and 1'240 MW pumping capacity. The 950 m head PSP is featuring 4 Pelton turbines located at ground level and 8 pump-turbine reversible units underground. The hydraulic investigations enable to specify the HSC mode. Then, the PSP is instrumented and the Hydro Clone digital twin deployed to perform qualification tests of the HSC operation, Figure 9. Such efforts reached their climax when the demonstrator was ready for trial run, in June 2021 and the demonstrator is put in industrial operation with a regular basis HSC mode for grid support.
The Alqueva PSP goal is to demonstrate low CAPEX opportunities to extend the operating range and flexible services offered with the help of the HSC mode coupled with the SPPS. In Portugal, Alqueva, Figure 10, is featuring Alqueva I and Alqueva II power houses, each with 2 fixed-speed reversible Francis pump-turbines of 520 MW total power. Further the initial studies, the technical feasibility of the enhanced modes and the baseline database of the SPPS are achieved. The database is built over a collection and analysis of operation historical data, dynamics numerical simulations, development of an improved damage model, Figure 11.
Alto Lindoso and the follower Caniçada SHP goals are to demonstrate low CAPEX opportunities to extend services offered by an existing SHP equipped with Francis turbine units and compare them to a variable speed conversion. In Portugal, Alto Lindoso, Figure 12, is featuring two 317 MW Francis Turbine of 288 m head and Caniçada is featuring two 35 MW of 121 m head. After the initial studies, the multi-dimensional approach is performed to develop the damage model of the two power plant units to feed the SPPS. This approach includes the historical operation data analysis, the CFD, FEM and transient operation numerical simulations, both the reduced scale model and the field tests. In particular, the reduced-scale model test of the Alto-Lindoso turbine is performed at the EPFL test rig, Figure 13. The resulting damage model will enable to optimize the unit operation in the enhanced operating range.
The Vogelgrün run of river power plant goal is to demonstrate the battery hybridization opportunity to extend services offered by an existing power plant. In France, Vogelgrün is featuring four 35 MW Kaplan Turbine of 12.5 m head. The hybridization shall provide improved grid services while reducing wear and tear and keeping the technology competitive. The battery size optimisation and hybrid controller algorithm are successfully performed and the battery system installed. Furthermore, the control algorithm is implemented at site to balance the load between turbine and battery to supply grid FCR. To establish the wear and tear model, a multidimensional approach uses the onsite data acquired through monitoring of both the hybrid and the sister non-hybrid units, together with the Hydro Clone digital twin, Figure 14, and with the actual components stress computation. The hybrid unit G1 went online as an industrial demonstrator on August 2021. Up to February 2022, the hybrid unit has achieved in total, 20 operation weeks.
Supplying the technical white paper providing the guideline to enhance the potential of a HPP based on the demonstrated innovative technological solutions and flexibility services is one of the main project objectives. The demonstrator implementation timeline is standardized and KPIs, Key Performance Indicators, are defined to each technology. The D10.1 deliverable is issued to provide KPIs for assessing and monitoring the flexible technology implementations throughout the project solutions demonstrations, Figure 15.
Both the D11.1 and D11.3 deliverables are issued for the industrial deployment in Europe.
The progress beyond the state of the art, expected results until the end of the project and potential impacts defined in the GA is still relevant. The project progress to enhance the hydropower potential and its capability to provide flexibility services to the grid is significant by demonstrating innovative methodology for system integration of hydroelectric technology solutions and analyse their impact on the modern power market. These innovative solutions enable to also optimise maintenance intervals, decrease outage times and increase the availability of the entire European hydroelectric power plant fleet.