Abstract

The Génissiat hydropower plant (6 x 70 MW) is one of the most flexible in the Rhône cascade in France operated by CNR, with sufficient tidal range to modulate the flow and provide flexibility to the Grid. It is currently undergoing refurbishment, and CNR is leveraging this opportunity to optimise productivity and get value from the increase in environmental flows. In this article, CNR and SuperGrid Institute investigate several options to maximise productivity while improving environmental performance through the use of highly flexible Francis turbines, hybridisation of the power plant with electrochemical batteries, and the implementation of an additional small Francis unit.

The article first describes the objectives for the flexibilisation of the Génissiat hydropower scheme and presents the different options considered in the study. It then outlines the economic modelling used to assess these options and concludes with the advantages of each solution.

Quentin Boucher, Quentin Boucher, Fabien Grand Perret, Benjamin Graff

Presented at Hydro 2025