COP29: Hydropower can help integrate other renewable energy sources into the grid

Hydropower can significantly contribute to a renewable energy system by developing pumped storage and improving market models. This will also aid in balancing variable energy production from solar and wind sources.

SINTEF is participating at COP as an independent observer, committed to advancing sustainable climate and energy solutions. To support this goal, we are providing advice to climate negotiators on 15 key areas with the potential to significantly reduce emissions.

• SINTEF’s  advice for COP29: Technology for a Faster Global Climate Transition

Recommendations for hydropower

• Develop hydropower solutions that provide increased power capacity and more flexible generation.
• Consider sustainable solutions taking environmental impacts, flood mitigation, water management and recreational interests into greater consideration when developing hydropower solutions.
• Refurbish , expand and retrofit existing hydropower facilities with pumped hydro to improve the possibilities for energy storage and flexibility.
• Increase investments into:
  • Developing technological solutions.
  • Finding sustainable solutions to mitigate environmental impacts.
  • Establishing markets and regulations for necessary investments

Problem

The global energy transition requires us to obtain safe, sustainable energy at a reasonable cost. If we are to achieve the targets set by the Paris Agreement, we must act quickly and prioritise renewable energy investments, research and development.

In order to achieve our climate goals while ensuring security of supply at a reasonable cost, we must use the technologies that are currently available. We must also develop new solutions that will carry us to a cost-effective, robust, climate- and nature-friendly energy system by 2050. These solutions include hydropower, wind power, solar power, energy efficiency, batteries, CO₂ capture and storage, and zero-emission fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia, as well as exploiting synergies between thermal energy, hydrogen and other energy carriers, industry and transport.

Today’s hydropower is largely designed for energy systems that are not particularly weather-dependent, while they also have several other flexible energy sources. In the future, most energy systems will be highly dependent on the weather, and lack the necessary capacity for energy storage or flexibility. Hydropower can contribute to solve this, but there is a need for significant refurbishment, expansion and re-design, which must be done without harming the natural environment or other negative local effects.

Solution

Hydropower is currently by far the largest source of renewable energy, with greater production than both wind and solar combined. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), hydropower is expected to double by 2050. However, hydropower’s most important role in the future will be to ensure the integration of variable renewable energy sources from wind and sun into the grid. As a result of a massive transition from fossil sources to renewable energy, there will be a significant need for balancing and energy storage on time scales ranging from seconds to days, weeks and seasons. These solutions must be developed based on needs in the power grid, adaptation of market models, and optimal production planning.

No other renewable technology is as flexible and adjustable, while having a large storage capacity, as hydropower. Pumped hydropower, which represents well over 90% of all grid-connected energy storage is also essential for the successful transition to a renewable society. Unrealised hydropower potential in the world is mainly found in Asia, Latin America and Africa, but there is also still some potential left in Europe and North America.

However, Europe and North America also have an ageing hydropower fleet that needs to be upgraded through refurbishment. expansion and modernisation. Together, these measures will help to make hydropower more sustainable and increase societal acceptance. Modernisation can significantly increase the capacity of installed power, flexibility of operation and utilisation of energy storage. In addition, modernisation must contribute to improved environmental performance, such as two-way fish migration solutions, release of environmental flows, and other measures that increase biodiversity and improve ecosystem services as wll as other services, such as flood mitigation, water supply, navigation and recreation.

Main COP29 recommendation: International research communities and industrial partners are developing technologies to reduce emissions and advance the energy transition, and we strongly recommend establishing a global North-South R&D program with open, competitive calls to ensure a fair, accelerated path to a sustainable economy.