ReHydro – Demonstration of Sustainable Hydropower Refurbishment, aims to explore innovative solutions to raise the impact of hydropower as an energy source within the European Union.
In September, research scientists from SINTEF Energy Research visited the Norwegian rivers Brattlandsdalsåi and Roalkvamsåi.
"As part of the planned refurbishment, the Brattlandsdalsåi River will receive more water through pumping from the downstream lake, and the Roalkvamsåi River will receive water from a residual-flow power plant. To better understand impacts and how to design water release, we are monitoring flow, water temperature and habitat conditions. We will also use innovative technologies like eDNA to map biodiversity," said Atle Harby.
He is a Senior Research Scientist at SINTEF Energy Research and ReHydro’s coordinator.
Hydropower plants for the future energy system
ReHydro kicked off in June 2024 and is focused on sustainable refurbishment of hydropower plants across Europe.
ReHydro will show how European hydropower can be refurbished and modernised to be fit for the future market, taking into account sustainability requirements and societal needs in the context of climate change.
Seven countries, five demonstration sites
The project brings together an interdisciplinary consortium from 7 countries, consisting of 2 associations, 7 research institutions, 6 operators, 5 manufacturers and 3 suppliers. Collectively, they provide the expertise, visibility and network required to successfully achieve project objectives and maximise its impact. Numerous refurbishment measures are carried out at 5 different demonstration sites and their effects and added value will be explained in detail through this project.
Equipping plants – many of which were commissioned between the 1960s and 1980s – with new technologies will enhance their flexibility to meet current energy demands and improve their integration with variable renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, within the modern energy grid.
Biodiversity is important
ReHydro proposes new methods and tools to restore, improve and increase European hydropower capacity while taking biodiversity and other societal interests into consideration. The project will demonstrate innovative monitoring solutions for abrasive turbine erosion and power plant health, eel-friendly turbine design;;digital control of hybrid power plants, integrated monitoring system and sediment transport model; multi-market methodology for hydropower scheduling, retrofitting conventional hydropower with pumped hydro; and improve methods within eDNA, Life-cycle assessments and multicriteria decision-making. Thanks to this progress, which goes beyond the state of the art in hydropower technology, ReHydro will introduce a new paradigm to strengthen European leadership and competitiveness in the hydropower industry and offer new sustainable solutions that can be replicated at a European and global level.
ReHydro has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Pro-gramme under grant agreement N° 101147310.
