Abstract

In the framework of the new Swiss feed-in-tariff system for Small Hydropower Plants (SHP), the aim of the SmallFLEX project, led by HES-SO Valais and performed in collaboration with EPFL, WSL, EAWAG, PVE and FMV, is to show how SHP can provide winter peak energy and ancillary services, whilst remaining eco-compatible. The pilot and demonstrator site selected is the new SHP of Gletsch-Oberwald (KWGO) owned by FMV and commissioned end of 2017. This run-of-river power plant is equipped with two six-jets Pelton turbine units featuring a maximum power of 7.5 MW each while the average annual power is lower than 5 MW, with a maximum of production during the summer. The capacity of infrastructure, equipment, and other adaptation measures to produce in a flexible way is being assessed while measuring the impact of this new operation on the environment, production and revenues. The paper focuses on the two experimental campaigns and the numerical simulations carried out to assess the flexibility of the power plant by means of smart use of existing infrastructure as additional storage volumes: the settling basin, the forebay and the upper part of the headrace tunnel.

Details

Title
Production flexibility of small run-of-river power plants: KWGO smart-storage case study
Author
Münch-Alligné, C 1 ; Decaix, J 2 ; Gaspoz, A 3 ; Hasmatuchi, V 3 ; Dreyer, M 4 ; Nicolet, C 4 ; Alimirzazadeh, S 3 ; Zordan, J 5 ; Manso, P 5 ; Crettenand, S 6 

 Institute of Sustainable Energy, School of Engineering, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Rawil 47, 1950 Sion, Switzerland; Institute of Systems Engineering, School of Engineering, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Rawil 47, 1950 Sion, Switzerland 
 Institute of Sustainable Energy, School of Engineering, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Rawil 47, 1950 Sion, Switzerland 
 Institute of Systems Engineering, School of Engineering, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Rawil 47, 1950 Sion, Switzerland 
 Power Vision Engineering, Saint Sulpice, Switzerland 
 Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Platform of Hydraulic Constructions LCH, Lausanne, Switzerland 
 Forces Motrices Valaisannes, Sion, Switzerland 
Publication year
2021
Publication date
Jun 2021
Publisher
IOP Publishing
ISSN
17551307
e-ISSN
17551315
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2540830203
Copyright
© 2021. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.