WP5 – Civil Structure Design

Objectives

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:

  • Parametric analyses based on physical geography, electricity demand, proximity to population and industrial centres, existing structures, geological conditions and construction specification
  • Robust design of basins and civil structures (resistant against saltwater, weathering, fatigue), service life assessment, civil costs
  • Machine related structures adopted to fatigue actions and chemical exposure; decision on the necessity of fish screens in addition to fish friendly pump/turbines as preferred technological option
  • Legal, regulatory, and environmental aspects; education and public opinion aspects
  • Geographical Information System-TOOL

Tasks

Task 5.1 Site identification based on parametric analysis [M1-M24]

Task leader: TUB, Partners involved: TU Delft, TUB, UNISTU, UPPA

In this task, representative example sites are determined due to parametric analysis. Based on new developed methodologies taking into account the wide range of geographical, infrastructural, constructional, environmental, social and financial boundary condition different sides are evaluated and compared.

Task 5.2 Decision-making on the use of existing structures and the necessity for new structures [M7-M30]

Task leader: UNISTU, Partners involved: IHE Delft, TU Delft, UNISTU

Here, based on a conceptual design considering the different exposure conditions and service-lives of the civil structures as part of a low-head pumped storage scheme cost estimates for construction and retrofits as well as estimates of expenditures for maintenance are evaluated. (RPT, PTO scenario from WP2 WP3 as input for conceptual design, simulations results FEA/FSI of WP2 as input for models used for the conceptual design; cost estimates from conceptual design as input for WP6).

Task 5.3 Study of influence and required adaptive measures for machine adjacent structures and functional components [M31-M48]

Task leader: TU Delft, Partners involved: TU Delft, UNISTU

The unique function of each structure is site specific and significantly affecting the design, cost and expenditures for maintenance. While protective design measures have a direct impact on construction and maintenance costs, the fish screens, which should reduce fish mortality during pumping and turbining operations, will additionally reduce the fall head. Therefore, in this task also estimates of the capital and maintenance costs of these screens, and reduction in revenue due to head reduction, will be compared to the reduction of efficiency incurred by using fish friendly pump/turbines.. In this task a decision will be reached whether fish screens or fish friendly pump/turbines are a preferred technological option (RPT, PTO scenario from WP2 WP3 as input for conceptual design, simulations results FEA/FSI of WP2 as input for models used for the conceptual design; results of fish experiments for evaluation of effectiveness and design aspects of fish screens, cost estimates from conceptual design as input for WP6)

Task 5.4 Assessment of legal, regulatory and environmental issues for the commissioning of low-head hydropower plants [M1-M48]

Task leader: UNITUS, Partners involved: TU Delft, TUB, UNITUS

Here, the assessment of specific example sites in the partner countries from the legal and regulatory point of view with a pre-defined potential for pumped hydro power will be realized by stakeholder interviews. The assessment of sites from the environmental point of view will be achieved on the basis of MSFD scheme identifying the interactions between the ecological components and the device. Guidelines concerning the best available techniques will be produced with also a database of equipment and instrumentation for monitoring activities (considering ante operam, operation and decommissioning phases). These activities will be able to establish the objectives to reach the desirable better status of seawater bodies.

Task 5.5 Geographical Information System Tool as knowledge base for users, decision-makers and stakeholders [M25-M48]

This tool will provide a validated, user friendly, and documented tool such that users, decision makers and stakeholders can draw from existing knowledge, with a well-framed parameter space (e.g. land use, hydraulic boundary conditions, topo-bathymetry, environmental aspects, and more) to facilitate co-design processes at potential pumped hydro sites across Europe.

Deliverables

D5.1 Definition of 2-3 representative example sites based on parameter-based analysis using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology

Lead participant: TUB
Type: R
Dissemination level: CO
Delivery date: M24

D5.2 Report on site criteria from conceptual design analysis including new construction and retrofits of existing structure e.g. dams, powerhouse, inlet outlet structures as well as cost estimates of decisive measures

Lead participant: UNISTU
Type: R
Dissemination level: CO
Delivery date: M36

D5.3 Decision on necessity of fish screens in addition to fish friendly pumps/turbines as preferred technological option depending on efficiency, costs estimates and energy losses

Lead participant: TU Delft
Type: R
Dissemination level: CO
Delivery date: M36

D5.4 Assessment of legal, regulatory and environmental issues for the commissioning of example sites

Lead participant: UNITUS
Type: R
Dissemination level: CO
Delivery date: M36

D5.5 Geographical Information System Tool for users, decision makers and stakeholders based on major results showing sites with high potential

Lead participant: UNISTU
Type: R
Dissemination level: PU
Delivery date: M42