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Licentiate presentation Martina Nobilo

With the increase of electricity production from renewable energy sources, a problem of imbalance of the electric grid due to their intermittency has emerged. Hydropower can operate with variable loads and, therefore, mitigate the intermittency of other sources, which would require flexible and fast-responsive operation of the hydropower plant and its turbines. Hydro turbines have been designed to operate most of their lifetime at their best efficiency point (BEP). The flexible operation requires spending more time in transients and off-design operating conditions. This can cause the shortening of the lifetime of hydro turbines. In this thesis, numerical simulations on a Kaplan turbine model are used to perform analyses of flow during BEP and part load (PL) operating conditions, and a load reduction sequence.

Disputation – David Rondon

This thesis aims to propose models to study and predict the dynamics of hydropower generators, which would be beneficial for manufacturers and operators, reducing the complexity of the design without compromising accuracy.

Disputation – Shahab Shiraghaee

Shahab Shiraghaee på LTU disputerar med avhandlingen: Experimental Investigation and Mitigation of Part-load Pressure Pulsations in Hydro Turbines Using Solid-body Protrusion inside the Draft Tube.

Increased knowledge of environmental effects in regulated lakes

To achieve sustainable hydropower production, more knowledge is needed about the environmental effects in regulated lakes and reservoirs, about how the effects can be mitigated, and about how the conditions in lake ecosystems can be improved. Johan Östergren at SLU is now starting up a project with the aim of providing recommendations for how environmental design (e.g. various rehabilitation measures) can be used in regulated lakes and reservoirs, while balancing the needs of ecosystems and society with regard to a future climate.

Growing interest in glycerol in hydropower

Interest in glycerol as a lubricant in hydropower is growing. The lubricants in hydropower plants have so far been mostly fossil-based. Researchers at Luleå University of Technology are working to develop glycerol oils so that they can be adapted to the needs of hydropower plants. Yijun Shi, professor at LTU, is passionate about the development of glycerol and has both started companies and received awards for his glycerol research.