The pre-project will form the foundation for a main project focusing on operation scheduling of hybrid systems of floating solar and hydropower. Norwegian power companies and SINTEF Energi AS/NTNU has a long history of optimal scheduling of hydropower systems, and the knowledge from Norwegian actors in this field is world leading. The project will seek to extend this knowledge to the scheduling of hybrid systems, which will increase the value of existing and new facilities worldwide. The main project will determine the technical and economic potential of operation scheduling of hybrid systems and identify the necessary development so that existing hydro scheduling tools can be extended to optimize hybrid systems. The main project will further test solutions/services in an operational setting and build a strong cooperative network to strengthen Norwegian export industry within the field of renewable energy from solar.
The formation of a diverse consortium spanning from universities to export industries will be needed both for the successful execution of the main project, but also for the successful exploitation of the potential for export to the global energy systems market. NTNU and SINTEF Energi AS is in a unique position to gather and lead such a consortium with their longstanding collaboration within both academia and industry, their competency base and their non-partisan and long-term commitment to research and development within this field for the good of society.