Technical Stakeholder Meeting

Introduction

Within the WP5, ALPHEUS will propose adequate locations for the construction of low-head pumped hydro storage (PHS) stations in the North Sea. Current methods for location selection of large civil structures consider technical and environmental aspects.

However, the implementation of large civil structures can face opposition from the public, which in turn, can lead to delays, over budgeting and/or mistrust towards later projects. ALPHEUS developed a stakeholder analysis to gather general stakeholder concerns respecting the low-head PHS technology. A questionnaire was already designed, distributed and completed so that stakeholders could provide insight into their general views about the low-head PHS technology.

The next step of the stakeholder analysis will be to host an event in which stakeholders could assist to the TU Braunschweig to learn more about the ALPHEUS project. In Braunschweig, the new contra-rotating reversible pump turbine is being tested, and thus the stakeholders will have an opportunity to visit the testing facilities. Afterwards, stakeholder discussions will begin. The discussions will be divided per WP. By the end of the day, the stakeholders will be familiar with the ALPHEUS research. They could also find new business opportunities and propose research topics for ALPHEUS.

Work Packages and Topic Description

WP2 – Reversible Pump-Turbine and Test Setup Design

The objectives are the application of laboratory and numerical methods to develop propeller type and positive displacement runners and casings that operate efficiently in both pump and turbine modes, allow for rapid mode switching (pump/turbine modes) with low fatigue loading, and result in minimal fish mortality.

WP3 – Power Take-Off Design

A power take-off (PTO) powertrain architecture with multidimensional machine-side control will be developed to maximize efficiency and minimize mode switching time of the turbine.

WP4 – Power Take-Off and Reversible Pump-Turbine Integration

The aim of this work package is to provide measurement results from laboratory experiments of the complete model scale machine set (turbine and PTO). The measurement results will be used for validation of the machine performance/mode switching models (WP2 and WP3), validation of structural models (WP5) and for the assessment of fish behaviour.

WP5 – Civil Engineering Design

For the site identification of potential low-head pumped storages along the coasts of the North and Baltic Seas different objectives are included in the workpage.

WP6 – Grid Integration

The first objective of WP6 is to design the grid-side control and to equip it with functions for EU standard-compliant operation. Based on this, a simulation model can be developed which can be used for grid studies.

The second objective of WP6 is to test the capacity of the storage power plant for various flexibility options for the grid. In addition to the technical possibilities, economic evaluations are also carried out.

Meeting Goals

1. Show ALPHEUS technology
2. Get stakeholder feedback (for each WP/topic)
   o Techno economic feasibility of the project
   Challenges of low-head PHS development
   o Scalability of the technology
   Possible with available manufacture technology?
   o Needs for research and innovation
   Stakeholders have the opportunity to highlight research topics for the ALPHEUS
   project

Meeting Agenda

9.00 – 12.30: Present current work
9.00 – 9.30: Welcome and ALPHEUS introduction
9.30 – 10.00: Stakeholder presentation
10.00 – 11.00: Showcase of test setup and coffee break
11.00 – 12.30: Division into working groups by WP/topic
12.30 – 13.30: Lunch break
13.30 – 14.00: Present stakeholder feedback findings
14.00 – 14.30: Last round of questions
14.30 – 15.00: Future work, acknowledgements and meeting closing
15.00: Drinks

Would you like to participate?

In case you didn’t receive an invite and you would like to participate in this event, please contact Ruben Ansorena at r.ansorena-ruiz@tu-braunschweig.de