Hydro power development for peaking and load balancing - HydroPEAK

The main objective of this project is to study how the hydropower system can be used to support increasing amounts of non-regulated renewables in the Nordic and European power system, and to assess what type of adaption that are needed both in the existing and in the future hydropower system.

Some specific project aims are: 

• to identify the changes in load characteristics in the hydro system in the new load scenario for the European power system
• to identify related technical and environmental problems in the hydropower system, in particular related to higher peaking demand
• to develop methods for mitigating or reducing negative effects
• to develop improved methods for optimizing operation of the hydropower system
• to develop knowledge and methods for planning of upgrading/refurbishment to meet the new demands on the hydropower system
• to identify needs for new hydropower development in a new operational regime
• to build capacity within selected areas (MSc and PhD students)
• to disseminate information and project results in Norway and internationally

The research activity in HydroPEAK will be organized in a number of sub-projects or work-packages, most of these including a PhD projects. A brief description of each work-package is given on the following pages.