Welcome to WaRP, NHA’s new Waterpower Research Portal.

The goal of this project is to develop a standardized methodology to identify equipment degradation and cost impacts of start/stops and cycling. The methodology is intended to be easy to use and will produce inputs and outputs are similar and comparable across hydro plants and utilities so that members can record, illustrate, and evaluate the phenomenon of accelerated start/stop and cycling costs

With the increased penetration of variable renewable energy sources (wind and solar) into the electric grid’s energy mix, a greater need for a more flexible power system is required to maintain grid reliability. Hydropower has been shown to outpace variable generation energy sources on a relative basis when providing the flexibility that is needed by the electric grid. Unfortunately, this flexibility comes with a potential decrease in fatigue life that is caused by the increased cycle activity, which was not envisioned when the assets were originally designed. The analytical study aimed to continue expanding the knowledge of the implications that a flexible operation schedule could have in hydropower assets. The project that is the subject of this report focused on investigating—using state-of-the art numerical simulations—the aging acceleration that a representative Francis runner can undergo when its operation changes from a baseload to a more flexible strategy.

Deliverables will include a report comprising hydro machine condition monitoring best practices and relevant, authoritative hydro machine condition monitoring resources for powerhouses. Scope to include hydropower generator, turbine, exciter and governor.