Dénoyer une galerie en charge pour améliorer la flexibilité d’une centrale hydroélectrique

Abstract

The development of new stochastic sources of renewable energy requires the availability of flexible energy sources also renewable to guarantee the stability of the electricity grid and the environmental commitments. As part of the “SmallFlex” pilot and demonstrator project, the increase in flexibility of a small run-of-river hydroelectric power station, equipped with two Pelton turbines, has been studied. The particularity of this high-head plant, with an installed capacity of 14 MW, is the absence of an upstream reservoir, which limits the control of the production to the prediction of the incoming flow. To increase the capacity of this plant, a storage volume including the grit chamber, the forebay tank and the upper part of the gallery has been identified. The present study focuses on the technical possibility of using this volume by performing analytical studies, scale model tests and on-site measurements. In addition, 1D digital simulations have identified the possibility to provide a primary control service to the grid by using this additional volume. Finally, the economic analysis shows the possibility of increasing the winter production and offering a primary control service thanks to this additional storage volume.