Power Storage & Balancing
“Managing the wide-scale introduction of intermittent renewable energy sources into electricity transmission networks is essential for ensuring the stability and flexibility of the grid, especially in an HVDC context. Innovative, hybrid storage solutions will enable us to do this.”
Renaud Guillaume, Department Director – Power Storage & Balancing
To support the integration of renewable energies within the European electricity network, the Power Storage and Balancing department adapts and develops hydraulic storage solutions based on the use of pumped storage plant (PSP) technology.
Because wind and solar energy are highly variable, using them on a wide scale requires massive and reactive means of storage. Although hydraulic storage is a mature technology – today it represents 97% of electrical energy storage worldwide – it must be significantly adapted to meet the challenges of the energy transition.
We focus on adapting conventional or variable speed pump turbines and improving their hydraulic characteristics. We also study the hybridisation of PSPs with other means of storage, exploring the economics of ancillary services.
SuperGrid Institute’s hydraulic platform makes it possible for us to test every kind of reversible pump turbine in all four quadrants, gathering data on efficiency, cavitation and dynamic behaviour according to IEC 60193 standard requirements.
Another platform, HydroPHIL, simulates the performance of hydroelectric dams. It focuses on hydraulic transitions within the power grid and, more generally, on unsteady regimes associated with the operation of hydraulic turbines: power build-up, start-ups, shutdowns, etc.
Recent publications
Managing turbine fatigue while maximizing solar energy use: adding a battery to the system
The use of a 15-minute solar forecast obtained from real-time sky video is analysed to minimize this overloading of the actuators.
SuperGrid Institute opens the doors to its hydraulic laboratory at the Hydro 21 “RDV Experts” event
The “RDV Experts” are events organised for members of the Hydro 21 association on key themes surrounding the hydraulics ecosystem.
“RDV Experts” from Hydro 21: a unique opportunity to visit our hydraulic platforms
Come and discover our hydraulic laboratory on the 3rd of April at the "RDV Experts" event, organised in collaboration with HYDRO 21.