As Europe strives for a sustainable energy future, the ambitious EU funded initiative ReHydro are underway to improve energy production of existing hydropower plants. By integrating new technologies and enhancing environmental conditions, the project will ensure that hydropower continues to play a key role in the region’s energy landscape.
Inspection of power plants in Røldal-Suldal as part of the ReHydro project. Photo: SINTEF Energy.
Many hydropower plants were built between the 1960s and 1980s. By upgrading these plants with new technologies, it will be possible to increase flexibility to meet current energy demands. These upgrades will also facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, into the modern power grid.
Hydropower for the future energy system
Launched earlier this year, ReHydro focuses on the sustainable rehabilitation of hydropower plants across Europe. The project aims to demonstrate how European hydropower plants can be modernized to meet future market demands, while aligning with sustainability goals and addressing societal needs in the context of climate change.
The project will demonstrate innovative solutions for monitoring turbine erosion and power plant conditions, develop digital control systems for hybrid power plants, design eel-friendly turbines, manage sediments, and convert traditional plants into pumped-storage power plants. It will also improve methods for monitoring biodiversity using environmental DNA, conduct life cycle analyses, and develop decision-support tools.
ReHydro’s work will in turn provide the industry with sustainable solutions that can be scaled globally, enhancing the competitiveness and standing of Europe’s hydropower sector.
Demonstrating modernization of norwegian water systems
Researchers from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and SINTEF Energy has now visited the Norwegian rivers Brattlandsdalsåi and Roalkvamsåi in the Røldal-Suldal water system, one of the project’s main demonstration sites. With the construction of a pumping station by Lyse and Hydro, as well as expansion and modernization of the waterway, will enable the Brattlandsdalsåi river to receive more water, while Roalkvamsåi will be supplied by an environmentally-friendly power plant.
- To understand the impact of these changes and design optimal water discharges for environmental purposes, we are monitoring water flow, temperature, and fish habitats. We will also employ innovative technologies such as environmental DNA to map biodiversity, says Atle Harby, senior researcher at SINTEF Energy and ReHydro project coordinator.
Pumping water from Suldalsvatnet to a reservoir in Brattlandsdalsåi will ensure that the river maintains adequate flow during dry periods, protecting spawning grounds for fish.
Hydropower and biodiversity
ReHydro focuses on integrating new methods and tools to enhance hydropower capacity while safeguarding biodiversity and other societal interests. Protecting biological diversity in waterways is crucial, as these ecosystems provide vital ecosystem services.
- Within ReHydro, we will demonstrate how this can be achieved in a case study from Lyse by examining biodiversity before and after environmental measures are implemented. We will use environmental DNA, a genetic technique that detects species by filtering water, alongside other methods like benthic sampling and electrofishing to monitor fish populations, explains Line Elisabeth Sundt-Hansen, senior researcher at NINA.
By combining these methods, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity and key organisms in the ecosystem, both before and after environmental measures such as maintaining minimum water flow. This will showcase effective strategies for improving the environmental condition of regulated watercourses.
Five demonstration sites, seven countries
Rehabilitation measures will be carried out at five demonstration hydropower plants. In addition to the Norwegian plants, two are located in France, one in Switzerland, and one in Portugal.
The project brings together an interdisciplinary consortium of 22 partners from seven countries, including seven research institutions, six operators, five manufacturers, three suppliers, and two industry organizations. Together, they possess the expertise, visibility, and networks required to achieve the project’s goals and ensure the results will have significant impact.
Learn more here
Contact:
Line Elisabeth Sundt-Hansen, NINA
Atle Harby, Sintef Energy