Hydropower Last Updated: 17 January 2013
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UKERC – Landscapes - Hydropower Last Updated: 17 January 2013 UKERC RESEARCH LANDSCAPE: HYDROPOWER Section 1: An overview which includes a broad characterisation of research activity in the sector and the key research challenges Section 2: An assessment of UK capabilities in relation to wider international activities, in the context of market potential Section 3: Major funding streams and providers of basic research along with a brief commentary Section 4: Major funding streams and providers of applied research along with a brief commentary Section 5: Major funding streams for demonstration activity along with major projects and a brief commentary Section 6: Research infrastructure and other major research assets (e.g. databases, models) Section 7: Research networks, mainly in the UK, but also European networks not covered by the EU Framework Research and Technology Development (RTD) Programmes Section 8: UK participation in energy-related EU Framework Research and Technology Development (RTD) Programmes Section 9: UK participation in wider international initiatives, including those supported by the International Energy Agency Prepared by Dr George Aggidis, Lancaster University Last Updated: 17 January 2013 This document is provided free of charge. While the UKERC will continue to make every effort to ensure accuracy of information, it cannot be held responsible for any errors; any risks associated with the use of the data remain entirely the responsibility of those downloading it. Users are reminded that they should acknowledge UKERC in all cases where the information is used. UKERC retains copyright of all documents; your use of this information should conform to UK Copyright “Fair Dealing” (http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/p27_work_of_others) UKERC – Landscapes - Hydropower Last Updated: 17 January 2013 1. Overview Return to Top Characterisation of the Field The first known reference to harnessing power from moving Hydropower or Hydroelectric power defines the generation and water was by the Greek poet Antipater of Thessaloniki in the first distribution of electricity derived from the energy of moving century B.C. who describes the freedom from toil of the young water or water pressure. Hydropower accounts for around 21% women using small hand mills to grind corn with the use of an of the world’s electrical generating capacity, currently producing “Overshot” vertical water wheel. From the 1700s onwards, around 1650MW of power in the UK, with an additional 2788MW major improvements were made to water wheel designs. From from pumped storage. However, recent surveys have shown a 1752 to 1759, John Smeaton conducted a series of experiments further 2GW of potential capacity in the UK remaining. on model water wheels, publishing a paper describing the efficiency of overshot wheels over other designs. The first water Hydropower can be broken down into dams, run-of-the-river turbine was invented by the French experimenter Benoit schemes and pumped storage. Dams involve the impoundment Fourneyron and patented in 1832. Tests showed that of a volume of water which can be used for energy extraction at Fourneyrons’ turbines converted as much as 80% of the energy any chosen time; run-of-the-river schemes involve the from water into useful mechanical output and were used in many harnessing of energy from the natural flow of water in river factories around the time. systems and pumped storage involves the use of two catchments at a head difference where generation can take place when Many turbine designs followed this, including the Francis Turbine required and pumping in reverse when excess energy is developed by James Bicheno Francis in 1848 and Uriah Boyden available. The technology required for effective hydropower as an improvement on the Boyden Turbine. In 1856, The Vortex schemes is based largely around the use of turbines which are Turbine No. 1 was developed by Professor James Thomson of developed to run at high efficiencies at a specific operating head Queens College and manufactured by Williamson Bros (now and rate of flow or discharge. In general, where there is a large Gilkes) to convert the energy from moving water into electricity. head and a low discharge such as large dams, Pelton turbines Later on, in the late 1870’s, Lester Pelton developed the first are most efficient and with a low head and a high discharge such impulse turbine, the Pelton Wheel, utilising the kinetic energy of as run-of-the-river schemes, Kaplan turbines are used. For the water instead of the pressure or weigh of a stream, and able intermediate head and discharge values, Pelton turbines or to achieve efficiencies in excess of 90%. In 1913, Victor Kaplan Crossflow turbines operate at higher efficiencies. A useful tool developed the Kaplan turbine as an evolution of the Francis for hydropower development is LUREG’s (Lancaster University Turbine. 1919 saw the invention of the Turgo Impulse turbine by Renewable Energy Group) Hydro Resource Evaluation Tool, also Gilkes of Kendal, Cumbria. The design and manufacture of Small showing the turbine designs which will perform best at given Hydro turbines continued right up until the early 60s, primarily heads and flow rates. UKERC – Landscapes - Hydropower Last Updated: 17 January 2013 for private developers to produce regular energy for the an essential tool for continual sustainable hydropower expanding industrial activities and growing village populations. development. Large hydropower schemes, particularly dams have many negative environmental impacts such as reduction of Over the following two decades, small hydro activity decreased water availability, inundation of ecosystems as well as having low and virtually disappeared, being replaced by medium to large public acceptance, high initial investment and long approval and scale hydro schemes driven by large electricity companies, and construction cycles. Further challenges include dam safety and equipping the majority of medium and large hydro schemes emergency action planning as well as the rehabilitation of old found in Europe today. dams. These problems indicate many research and development challenges, however the misconception that large hydropower is In recent years however, since 1980, small hydro has a mature technology means implementation of any reappeared strongly in many countries, complimented by political advancements is slow with insufficient investment. support and incentives creating attractive investments. With the recent increase in investment returns from small-hydro projects, Small hydropower schemes such as run-of-the-river are manufacturers are driving towards developing low cost, short recognised as one of the most cost effective means of producing delivery time, reliable and serviced small hydro products. Work clean, renewable electricity with higher efficiency and reliability is focussed on high quality product using new technology for than wind, solar and ocean energy. The energy payback ratio for research, development and design that allow cost reductions of run-of-the-river hydro is in the region 170-267, by far the turbines and associated equipment without loss of quality, highest of any other energy generation technology. There is performance or reliability. currently ongoing extensive research into low head hydro power technology, improving efficiencies and outputs of turbines. Hydropower basic and applied research covers a vast scope of However low head hydro applications remain high cost. disciplinary inputs. It includes Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Research challenges for small hydropower include: Low head Engineering and focuses around turbine and generator turbine development; investment cost reduction; environmental development, transformer and power electronics, fluid dynamics, impacts (such as impact on migratory fish); grid connection construction as well as environmental and economic aspects. difficulties and design of intakes in sediment carrying rivers. Recent research focuses on the analysis of the environmental Applied research and development carried out by Small Hydro implications of hydropower schemes bringing Environmental and companies is focussed on developing new simplified designs Sustainable engineering into the range of disciplinary inputs. using new technology for research and development, design and manufacture of turbines and associated equipment. The primary goal is development of small hydro products which are low cost Research Challenges with a fast delivery without compromising quality and Although research into hydropower development has been active performance for over a century, current research and development efforts are UKERC – Landscapes - Hydropower Last Updated: 17 January 2013 2. Capabilities Assessment Return to Top The UK’s capabilities vary widely within the Hydropower industry. technology and materials. With the limited potential for large hydropower schemes in the UK, the commissioning is led by For many years, UK companies have been global leaders in large EU and American companies however, with the high turbine manufacture, consultancy and assessment running potential for low-head small hydro power plants; it is a growing projects throughout Europe and the rest of the world. The market, with UK involvement in small scale hydro manufacturing, consultancy and feasibility analysis sector is world renowned in research and development and holding a dominant position in the hydropower field. The UK holds a high global market share global hydropower consulting in