XFLEX HYDRO

XFLEX HYDRO is an ambitious energy innovation project demonstrating how flexible hydropower technologies can deliver a low-carbon, secure and resilient power system. Supporting the EU’s 2030 targets, the €18 million project will showcase how modern hydropower plants can provide the vital power grid flexibility services required by any country investing in variable renewables such as solar and wind power. The four-year project was awarded by the European Commission’s Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) to a consortium of 19 organisations representing leading utilities, equipment manufacturers, universities, research centres and consultancies. XFLEX HYDRO will demonstrate new hydropower technologies such as smart controls, enhanced variable- and fixed-speed turbine systems, as well as a battery-turbine hybrid. The work will conclude by delivering a roadmap to increase adoption of these solutions across the European hydropower fleet, and prepare impact assessments outlining the market and policy challenges for governments, regulators and industry. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 857832.