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- Improved Hydro Modeling with DOE NREL
Improved Hydro Modeling with DOE NREL
Project ID: 200
Principal Investigator: Todd Gaston
Research Topic: Improved Power Generation
Funded Fiscal Years:
2016 and
2017
Keywords: None
Research Question
Hydropower facilities can provide a key source of flexibility for maintaining electric grid stability—particularly those with a high penetration of variable energy generation such as wind and solar. As more variable renewable generation sources come online, a better understanding of the capabilities and limitations of hydropower resources is important for efficient grid planning. However, modeling hydropower facilities is difficult due to a wide variety of constraints that can be broadly categorized as environmental (e.g., those imposed to limit negative impacts on the environment), operational (e.g., limitations of the generation equipment), and regulatory (e.g., binding obligations to water users).
Need and Benefit
As penetration levels of solar and wind continue to increase, power system flexibility will become increasingly important, creating a rising need to better understand and model the true capabilities of the hydropower generation fleet. Understanding and accurately modeling the limitations and capabilities of hydropower will enable better preparation for future integration of variable energy sources.
Contributing Partners
Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.
Research Products
Bureau of Reclamation Review
The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.
Improved Hydro Modeling with DOE NREL (final, PDF, 422KB)
By Toss Gaston, Brady Stoll, Juan Andrade, Stuart Cohen, Greg Brinkman, Carlo Brancucci Martinez-Anido
Research Product completed on September 30, 2017
Improved Hydro Modeling with DOE NREL (final, PDF, 422KB)
By Toss Gaston, Brady Stoll, Juan Andrade, Stuart Cohen, Greg Brinkman, Carlo Brancucci Martinez-Anido
Research Product completed on September 30, 2017
