System optimization between power producer and grid owners for more efficient system services.

The global energy mix is poised to transform the world, paving the way for a future powered by clean, carbon-free electricity. However, the integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which are inherently less reliable, requires new system services to ensure energy security. A significant opportunity lies in the untapped potential of existing hydropower facilities, whose exceptional flexibility can facilitate a greater share of renewables in the power system. This potential can be fully realized if the value of hydropower services is recognized and compensated appropriately for the operational demands involved. The SysOpt project aims to create a real-time control and optimization platform for the efficient operation of hydropower plants. This platform will enhance profitability, maximize grid support services, and ensure cost and efficiency sharing between producers and the grid. By improving current control systems and enabling better coordination between hydropower plants, the platform will help reduce grid losses across the entire power system. The expected outcomes will significantly impact Norway’s electricity sector, including producers, transmission, and distribution, and may lead to the creation of new market opportunities. Several key players from the Norwegian power industry will participate in the project, fostering data sharing and ensuring maximum relevance and benefit for end users. The project’s consortium includes stakeholders from across the entire value chain, such as grid operators, power companies, TSOs, and equipment suppliers. Through collaboration with USN and NTNU, the project is set to develop critical new competencies. Additionally, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) from the US, supported by the Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) of the U.S. Department of Energy, will contribute to the project.

There is an expectation of increased electrification of the energy sector, and that more variable and less controllable wind and solar power will reinforce the need for more efficient system services, and strengthen the grid capacity and stability in vulnerable areas. In response to this call, this project intends to develop new knowledge and innovative methods within hydropower technology and voltage control to create opportunities in the following areas. a) Strengthening the national power system operational security of supply and power transfer while reducing investment costs and transmission losses; b) Optimize the interplay between the power producer and grid owner(s) (Transmission System Owner TSO, and the Distribution System Owner DSO) through enhanced coordinated actions. In particular, the project proposes a control design solution to optimize the hydropower plant operation, and the exchange of reactive power between power system players (service providers and grid owners). Moreover, the design will improve the control of existent control system, and coordinate online the different hydropower plant contribution for enhanced system services. One of the major goals of the project is to develop and test a prototype in real-life applications (made available by the partners) that will be of interest for the world market. The anticipated results of the project are new knowledge on how to design control systems for maximal grid support, optimal operation of the hydropower plant, cost-sharing, and energy efficiency in the operation of the power system. Further anticipated results are new guidelines for the industry, as well as increased national competence in monitoring and control in the power system fields. The project will pave the way in large-scale integration of the ever-increasing intermittent renewable sources, and improve the power transport efficiency (e.g., improve profit).