Modeling and Optimal Operation of Hydraulic, Wind and Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems

The transition to 100% renewable energy in the future is one of the most important ways of achieving "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" and of reducing the adverse effects of climate change. In this process, the safe, stable and economical operation of renewable energy generation systems, represented by hydro-, wind and solar power, is particularly important, and has naturally become a key concern for researchers and engineers. Therefore, this book focuses on the fundamental and applied research on the modeling, control, monitoring and diagnosis of renewable energy generation systems, especially hydropower energy systems, and aims to provide some theoretical reference for researchers, power generation departments or government agencies

Research on joint dispatch of wind, solar, hydro, and thermal power based on pumped storage power stations

In the context of energy conservation and emission reduction, the integration and consumption of large-scale wind and solar resources is an inevitable trend in future energy development. However, with the increase of wind and solar grid-connected capacity, the power system also requires more flexible resources to ensure safe operation. To enhance the economic efficiency of the complementary operation of wind, solar, hydro, and thermal sources, considering the peak regulation characteristics of different types of power sources, the study of the joint dispatch model of complementary utilization of various generation methods like wind, solar, hydro, thermal, and storage is of great significance for the economic dispatch of the power system. Existing studies mainly focus on traditional thermal power units or hydropower units, with few studies investigating the impact of pumped-storage power stations on the absorption of renewable energy. Firstly, this paper introduces the composition and function of each unit under the research framework and establishes a joint dispatch model for wind, solar, hydro, and thermal power. Secondly, the paper elaborates on the objective function within the model, mainly covering the operating costs of thermal power units, hydropower units, pumped storage, wind and solar units, the cost of discarding new energy, and the cost of load shedding. Subsequently, the paper presents the constraints of the system model, mainly the feasible boundaries for the operation of each unit within the system. Finally, The results of the calculations show that the proposed model reduces the total operating cost by 12% and the power abandonment rate by 82% compared to the conventional model. It is shown that the proposed model can not only significantly improve the economic efficiency of the system operation but also reduce the level of energy waste and load shedding, effectively enhancing the degree of energy utilization within the system

Exploring the Regulation Reliability of a Pumped Storage Power Plant in a Wind–Solar Hybrid Power Generation System

In the coming decades, the proportion of wind–solar energy in power system significantly increases, resulting to uncertainties of power fluctuation in abundant wind–solar energy regions. The flexibility operation of Pumped Storage Power Plants (PSPPs) has already been widely recognized to regulate wind–solar power fluctuations; however, less is known about the regulation reliability of the PSPP affected by them. It is a challenge, since various uncertainties exist during this regulation process. Here, a mathematical model with a solar–wind–hydro hybrid power generation system is adopted to investigate the regulation reliability of PSPP. The uncertainties and limitations of model parameters are considered during this process. Five regulation indexes, i.e., rise time, settling time, peak value, peak time and overshoot of the reactive power generator terminal voltage, guide vane opening and angular velocity, are extracted to evaluate the PSSP’s regulation quality. Finally, the PSPP reliability probability affected by parametric uncertainties is presented. The obtained results show that the inertia coefficient is the most sensitivity parameters for the settling time, peak value and peak time with sensitivity index 33.7%, 72.55% and 71.59%, respectively. The corresponding total contribution rate of the top 10 sensitive parameters are 74.45%, 93.45% and 87.15%, respectively. Despite some types of uncertainties not being considered, the results of this research are important for the regulation reliability evaluation of PSPPs in suppressing power fluctuations of wind and solar generation.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Performance for Very-Low-Head Micro and Pico Kaplan Hydro-Turbines with Rim-Driven Generators

Renewable energy plays a significant role in new power generation worldwide, and hydropower is contributing to 86% of renewable electricity production within all other renewable energy resources. Simultaneously, hydropower shares 83% of U.S. renewable energy capacity and accounts for 77% of actual renewable electricity generation. However, most of the installed hydropower consists of large plants. Much potential hydro generation remains untapped, particularly at lower power and head levels. There is a substantial opportunity worldwide and across the U.S. in specific to add new hydropower generating capabilities at low-head sites such as non-powered dams, canals, and conduits with a water height of less than 30 meters, especially, where the potential of solar and wind is not available. As stated by the U.S. Department of Energy, there is an estimated potential hydropower capacity of 12,000 MW of the existed 80,000 unpowered dams with at least 3 feet of water head available. In this research, investigation of power-efficient micro and pico Kaplan hydro turbines at very-low-head with rim-driven generators to be studied and evaluated, specifically, at heads of less than 3 meters (10 ft). Optimization of performance and design for a 3D-printed conventional -with shaft- 7.6 cm (3-inch) Kaplan turbine to be carried out based on an experimental setup in the Hydro Turbines Laboratory of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in addition to the utilization of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Then a shaftless rim-driven generator-based turbine (RDT) to be introduced and optimized. Such a new hydro turbine perception will increase the efficiency (of power generation) of hydro turbines in general, and the efficiency of low-head turbines in specific. The design optimization includes; the number of the blades for the turbine’s rotor (runner) and stator, the blade wrap-angle of the rotor, intake and draft tubes angles, lengths and shapes, and the guide vanes. The performance in terms of the power output and the efficiency is evaluated for the conventional turbine by utilizing CFD and by testing a 3D-printed model of the turbine in a custom-built experimental setup at different water heads (from 2.0 m to 2.6 m) and different rotational speeds (0 – 4000 rpm). The CFD setup is based on 3D transient turbulent featuring the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model, and STAR-CCM+ is the CFD software. In addition, the high-performance computing (HPC) cluster of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is used for solving the complex CFD simulations. To evaluate the advantage of the RDT over the conventional turbines, the rim-driven shaftless turbine is introduced in this research at the same boundary conditions. The RDT is not expected only to increase the efficiency of hydro turbines. It will also contribute saving the environment by allowing debris or fish to pass through the central area of the turbine, especially in the case of run-a-river hydro turbines applications. Furthermore, some applications of the RDT are presented in this study. The utilization of RDT in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is one example where WWTPs usually have low or very-low head between the discharge point of the plant and the water body where the treated water is supposed to be disposed. At the same time, a significant continuous water flow rate is available all over the year for feasible hydro turbine installations. Such utilization will improve the energy efficiency of WWTPs

Analysis of emerging technologies in the hydropower sector

The paper reviews recent research and development activities in the field of hydropower technology. It covers emerging and advanced technologies to mitigate flow instabilities (active and passive approach) as well as emerging magneto-rheological control techniques. Recent research findings on flow instabilities are also presented, especially concerning fluid-structure interaction and transient operating conditions. As a great number of the existing large-scale hydroelectric facilities were constructed decades ago using technologies that are now considered obsolete, technologies to achieve the digitalisation of hydropower are also analysed. Advances in the electro-mechanical components and generator design are presented; their potential role to adapt hydropower to the current operating conditions is also highlighted. The text explores current efforts to advance hydropower operation, mainly in terms of European projects. It provides a detailed overview of the recent efforts to increase the operational range of hydraulic turbines in order to reach exceptional levels of flexibility, a topic of several recent research projects. Variable speed hydropower generation and its application in pumped storage power plants are presented in detail. Moreover, revolutionary concepts for hydroelectric energy storage are also presented with the analysis focusing on underwater hydro storage and hydropower's hybridisation with fast energy storage systems. Efforts to minimise hydropower's environmental footprint are also presented via the utilisation of small-scale and fish-friendly installations

Hybrid CFD-BEM modelling of a diffuser-augmented vertical axis wind turbine and comparison with an existing solution for sustainable buildings

Nell'ambito di un'analisi di sistema di un edificio alimentato da differenti fonti energetiche (solare, eolico e fossile) è stato scelto di ottimizzare il componente più critico: la turbina eolica. Dapprima, l'aerodinamica di una turbina ad asse verticale a portanza è stata indagata attraverso simulazioni URANS CFD e, successivamente, è stato formulato un modello ibrido BEM-CFD che ha consentito un notevole risparmio di sforzo computazionale. Ciò ha permesso lo studio e l'ottimizzazione di un diffusore in grado di aumentare le potenza di un fattore 5. Infine, è stata valutata la possibilità di integrazione con il sistema edificio e i possibili vantaggi e criticità

Technological Innovations and Advances in Hydropower Engineering

It has been more than 140 years since water was used to generate electricity. Especially since the 1970s, with the advancement of science and technology, new technologies, new processes, and new materials have been widely used in hydropower construction. Engineering equipment and technology, as well as cascade development, have become increasingly mature, making possible the construction of many high dams and large reservoirs in the world. However, with the passage of time, hydropower infrastructure such as reservoirs, dams, and power stations built in large numbers in the past are aging. This, coupled with singular use of hydropower, limits the development of hydropower in the future. This book reports the achievements in hydropower construction and the efforts of sustainable hydropower development made by various countries around the globe. These existing innovative studies and applications stimulate new ideas for the renewal of hydropower infrastructure and the further improvement of hydropower development and utilization efficiency

Susceptibility of Riverine Fishes to Anthropogenically-linked Trauma: Strikes from Hydropower Turbine Blades

Hydropower accounts for nearly 40% of renewable electricity generation in the US; however, dams significantly impact the surrounding aquatic ecosystems. One of the most visible impacts of hydropower―beyond the dam itself―is the direct negative impacts (injury or death) to fish populations that must pass through hydropower turbines to access desired downstream habitat. During passage, fishes face many potential stressors that can cause severe injuries and often leads to high rates of mortality. In this dissertation, I have focused on quantifying how fishes respond to impacts from turbine blades that may occur during turbine passage. Laboratory research into blade strike impact has a nearly 30-year publication record and observed trends in injury and mortality rates are generally true for most species. Additional research on untested species (American eel, bluegill, paddlefish, American shad, blueback herring, and brook trout) was successfully completed and new biological response models are also available. Quantitative support of surrogacy―applying biological response models for blade strike from one species to represent another species or group of species―was also confirmed. For example, Oncorhynchus and Salvelinus species had approximately the same biological response curves suggesting data from one could be used to infer mortality for the other. Live animal response data are invaluable, but the paucity of data on actual physical forces of turbine blade strike necessitated developing novel technology. A new biomimetic model (i.e., Gelfish) was successfully created using additive manufacturing techniques, ballistic gelatin as a tissue surrogate, and a sensor to detect changes in acceleration during blade strike. Importantly, preliminary blade strike testing also suggested the Gelfish prototype responded in a similar way to live fish. Finally, I compiled an anatomical and morphological fish traits dataset that was used to delineate species into functionally relevant groups. The resulting anatomorphic functional guilds were also found to account for variation in relative flexibility better than purely taxonomic groups among the riverine species studied. Combined, these results suggest that the available biological response models can be used to represent untested species within the same anatomorphic functional guilds, and will help calibrate/validate newer versions of Gelfish that maximize biofidelity