More flexible hydropower to support the green transition

Luleå University of Technology is leading a new research project aimed at analyzing the role of hydropower in the future fossil-free energy system. The project seeks to identify how the flexibility of hydropower can be adapted to balance the increased electricity production from solar and wind power. The goal is to create the conditions needed to identify solutions that simultaneously support a sustainable energy transition and meet the needs of the growing industrial sector in northern Sweden.

The need for flexible electricity production is increasing as Sweden transitions to more renewable energy. Hydropower, which can regulate electricity production quickly and efficiently, already plays a central role in balancing variations in electricity demand throughout the day and between seasons. As the share of electricity from wind and solar grows, a new type of flexibility is required. However, increasing hydropower flexibility also necessitates careful consideration to avoid damaging the ecosystems in and around rivers. "To meet climate goals, we need an energy system that can adapt to both large and small variations in demand. Our goal is to find solutions that make it possible to use hydropower more flexibly without compromising environmental goals," says Anna Krook-Riekkola, Associate Professor of Energy Engineering at Luleå University of Technology.

Advanced energy system model

The project, Flowing flexibility – Swedish hydropower in phase with the green transition, is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency and has been granted SEK 5.6 million over four years. The project is led by Anna Krook-Riekkola and also involves Maria Pettersson, Professor of Law at Luleå University of Technology. The study builds on TIMES-Sweden, an advanced energy system model that helps researchers identify cost-effective technological and energy choices to meet future energy-related societal needs under different conditions and climate goals. Within the project, the model will be refined to gain a better understanding of how future hydropower can contribute relevant flexibility in a cost-effective way. "Hydropower is already a flexible energy source, but with this model, we can explore what additional measures are needed to meet future demands. This could involve complementing certain stations with an additional turbine to use existing water flows more efficiently," explains Anna Krook-Riekkola.

Anna Krook-Riekkola, Professor at Luleå University of Technology

A More Robust Energy System

The project is being conducted in close collaboration with Vattenfall and other actors in the energy sector. The aim is for the project's results to be used both for national planning and as a basis in environmental permitting processes, where energy needs are weighed against environmental impacts. "Swedish industry is undergoing a major transformation, especially in northern Sweden where the demand for sustainable energy is increasing. By developing the flexibility of hydropower, we hope to create a more robust energy system that meets future needs in a sustainable way," says Anna Krook-Riekkola.

• Energy Engineering