Source Own illustration according to IRENA 2022
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 8:45 am
There are different types of hydroelectric power plants, which differ mainly in the location where they are built and the way they extract energy from the water. The main types of hydroelectric power plants are presented below:
1. Storage power plants use the potential energy of water that is stored in a reservoir. A dam is used to store water and create an artificial lake. The water is then released through a pipe when needed. At the end of the pipe there is a turbine that is driven by the incoming water. Storage power plants are controllable and are used to cover peak loads and to provide system services (e.g. control power). Pumped storage power plants are a special case because they are able to pump water from the lower basin back into the reservoir and are currently the standard practice for storing electrical energy.
2. Run-of-river power plants use the energy of flowing water to generate algeria consumer email list​ electricity. They are often built on rivers that have enough water to permanently drive the turbines. Run-of-river power plants are traditionally used to cover the base load due to their continuous operation.
3. Tidal power plants generate electricity using the force of the tides. They are typically built in coastal regions and use the power of ocean currents caused by the tides.
4. Wave power plants convert the movement of ocean waves into electricity. These power plants are built in coastal regions in particular and, unlike tidal power plants, do not use the tidal range but the power of the wave movements to drive turbines.
The installed capacity of hydroelectric power plants worldwide can be seen in the following figure.
hydroelectric power plants in a grid-friendly power plant network
As already mentioned, hydroelectric power plants are able to provide system services and can therefore be used to benefit the grid. Due to their low volatility in electricity generation, the output provided can be easily forecast.
In the VideKIS research project, a virtual power plant network is to be regulated by a central control system in such a way that primary control services can be provided. This requires precise forecasts of the power that can be generated and reliable systems in order to meet the strict market requirements. The integration of hydroelectric power plants offers a solid basis for creating reliable forecasts and thus offering primary control services exclusively from renewable energies.
As part of the project, two small hydropower plants in the Hochsauerland district in North Rhine-Westphalia, which together have an installed capacity of 1.2 MW, will be integrated into the virtual power plant. A new type of controller will enable the plants to offer primary control services. The first test trials are planned for spring 2023 and we will keep you updated with further blog posts.
You can find more exciting topics from the adesso world in our previously published blog posts .
Ellen Szczepaniak is an experienced project manager with a focus on consulting companies in the energy industry. In her projects, she has gained experience as a requirements engineer and scrum master in an agile environment as well as an interaction room coach and management consultant in classic projects. She is particularly distinguished by her structured and analytical approach as well as her expertise in the context of the energy industry and electromobility.
1. Storage power plants use the potential energy of water that is stored in a reservoir. A dam is used to store water and create an artificial lake. The water is then released through a pipe when needed. At the end of the pipe there is a turbine that is driven by the incoming water. Storage power plants are controllable and are used to cover peak loads and to provide system services (e.g. control power). Pumped storage power plants are a special case because they are able to pump water from the lower basin back into the reservoir and are currently the standard practice for storing electrical energy.
2. Run-of-river power plants use the energy of flowing water to generate algeria consumer email list​ electricity. They are often built on rivers that have enough water to permanently drive the turbines. Run-of-river power plants are traditionally used to cover the base load due to their continuous operation.
3. Tidal power plants generate electricity using the force of the tides. They are typically built in coastal regions and use the power of ocean currents caused by the tides.
4. Wave power plants convert the movement of ocean waves into electricity. These power plants are built in coastal regions in particular and, unlike tidal power plants, do not use the tidal range but the power of the wave movements to drive turbines.
The installed capacity of hydroelectric power plants worldwide can be seen in the following figure.
hydroelectric power plants in a grid-friendly power plant network
As already mentioned, hydroelectric power plants are able to provide system services and can therefore be used to benefit the grid. Due to their low volatility in electricity generation, the output provided can be easily forecast.
In the VideKIS research project, a virtual power plant network is to be regulated by a central control system in such a way that primary control services can be provided. This requires precise forecasts of the power that can be generated and reliable systems in order to meet the strict market requirements. The integration of hydroelectric power plants offers a solid basis for creating reliable forecasts and thus offering primary control services exclusively from renewable energies.
As part of the project, two small hydropower plants in the Hochsauerland district in North Rhine-Westphalia, which together have an installed capacity of 1.2 MW, will be integrated into the virtual power plant. A new type of controller will enable the plants to offer primary control services. The first test trials are planned for spring 2023 and we will keep you updated with further blog posts.
You can find more exciting topics from the adesso world in our previously published blog posts .
Ellen Szczepaniak is an experienced project manager with a focus on consulting companies in the energy industry. In her projects, she has gained experience as a requirements engineer and scrum master in an agile environment as well as an interaction room coach and management consultant in classic projects. She is particularly distinguished by her structured and analytical approach as well as her expertise in the context of the energy industry and electromobility.