A new generation of small hydro and pumped-hydro power plants: Advances and future challenges

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews Vol. 31; pp. 746 - 761
• Main Authors: Ardizzon, G., Cavazzini, G., Pavesi, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; CFD; Energy; Energy of waters: ocean thermal energy, wave and tidal energy, etc; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engines and turbines; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Hydroelectric power plants; Hydropower; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Natural energy; Optimal management strategies; Pumped-hydro energy storage plant; Small hydro power plant; Variable-speed pump-turbine; CFD; Variable-speed pump-turbine; Hydropower; Pumped-hydro energy storage plant; Optimal management strategies; Small hydro power plant; Hydroelectric power plant; Electric power plant; Computational fluid dynamics; Turbine; Pump; Hydraulic power; Electric power production; Energy storage
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2013.12.043

Hydropower is not only a renewable and sustainable energy source, but its flexibility and storage capacity also makes it possible to improve grid stability and to support the deployment of other intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. As a result, a renewed interest in pumped-hydro energy storage plants (PHES) and a huge demand for the rehabilitation of old small hydropower plants are emerging globally.
As regards PHES, advances in turbine design are required to increase plant performance and flexibility and new strategies for optimizing storage capacity and for maximizing plant profitability in the deregulated energy market have to be developed.
During the upgrading of old small hydropower plants, the main challenges to be faced are the design of new runners, that had to match the existing stationary parts, and the development of optimal sizing and management strategies to increase their economic appeal.
This paper traces an overview of the prospects of pumped-hydro energy storage plants and small hydro power plants in the light of sustainable development. Advances and future challenges in both turbine design and plant planning and management are proposed. PHES and hybrid wind/solar-PHES are illustrated and discussed, as well as the limits and peculiarities of the new design strategies, based on computational fluid dynamics, for both PHES and small hydropower plants.