New solutions for hydropower plants to enhance operational range, performance, and improve environmental impact

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Currently, hydraulic turbines are employed across a broad spectrum of operational regimes. A particular case is represented by environmental flows (E-flows), which are essential for the conservation of fluvial ecosystems but often force to operate out of design parameters or even switch off the hydropower plants (HPPs). Besides, the impact of HPPs on water quality and biodiversity is enormous and should also be a target for refurbishing actions.

In this context, the SHERPA project will develop and validate innovative technologies for refurbishing current HPPs, namely,
1) AM metallic patches and coatings to minimize damage enhancing resistance to cavitation,
2) new strategies to adapt rotational speed to the flow range,
3) advanced air injection systems to improve water quality and efficiency;
4) new runner for E-flows performance.

Modelling, simulation, and monitoring tools will assess the new solutions in terms of energy output, flexible operation, cost-effectiveness, and impact on biodiversity. The goal is to expand and adapt the operational range of the HPP to include lower flows, without harming their lifetime, economic viability, and environmental and social impact.

AIMEN will participate in SHERPA mainly in the development of:
1) an AI generative design tool for turbine components based on CFD method to convert existing turbines into new optimized turbines increasing their low-flow performance, and
2) AM-materials and coating solutions to minimize cavitation.

• Sectors: Energy
• Financing programme: HORIZON EUROPE
• R&D&i: Additive manufacturing, Artificial intelligence, Coating technology, high power and high throughput laser processing, Laser assisted processing, Optical technologies for monitoring and control of natural resources
• Leader: Iberdrola Renovables Energía, S.A.U.
• Partners: AIMEN Centro Tecnológico, Zabala Innovation Consulting S.A., ZABALA BRUSSELS, Voith Hydro Holding GmbH & Co. KG, EPRI Europe, INNOMERICS, AECOM
• Acronym: SHERPA
• Ambit: International
• Web: https://sherpahydro.eu/