6365 Intelligent hydropower control using digital twin technology

The DIGITEC-Hydro project introduces the "Equivalent Power Plant" (EPP) concept to enable small-scale hydropower plants to participate in grid balancing services. By aggregating multiple plants and using digital twin simulations, the project calculates energy output, even for run-of-river (RoR) plants without reservoirs. Supercapacitors, which store and release energy quickly, help these smaller plants adjust their output rapidly, overcoming their natural slower response times. This approach reduces machinery wear and environmental impact by allowing gentle control of physical generators. By integrating digital twins and supercapacitors, the EPP system allows smaller hydropower plants to contribute to the stability of the grid while minimizing risks and maximizing their participation in energy markets.

The DIGITEC-Hydro project will develop a novel 'Equivalent Power Plant' (EPP) concept for aggregated control of hydropower plants. This will enable smaller-scale hydro plants to participate in grid balancing markets, using digital twin simulations of waterway and powerplant, plus super-capacitor energy storage technology, to optimally deliver grid balancing services without negative impact on the plant or the environment. By using digital twin simulations, we can calculate the dispatchable storage capacity from RoR and small-scale hydropower plants without reservoirs. The use of rapid discharge supercapacitors as short-term energy storage allows RoR powerplants with slow response time, and small-scale hydropower plants without a full-fledged turbine regulator, to contribute to these higher value ancillary services markets through interconnection in an EPP system. Coordinated control of power plants and supercapacitors together mean the aggregated power delivery from an EPP can be changed quickly, while the physical generators are controlled in a gentle manner thanks to energy temporarily delivered from supercapacitors, leading to reduced wear on machinery, reduced risk of failure or accidents, and low environmental impact.