D-HYDROFLEX Horizon Europe

The D-HYDROFLEX project will advance excellence in research on sensors technologies and digital solutions and support the digitalization of hydropower towards more efficient, more sustainable, and more competitive hydropower plants in modern power markets. To this end, D-HYDROFLEX develops a toolkit of digital tools for digitally ‘renovating’ the existing hydroelectric power plants by developing technologies based on sensors, digital twins, AI algorithms, hybridization modelling (power-to-hydrogen), cloud-edge computing and image processing. Focus is on 3 areas (a) optimized operation planning, (b) predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring, and (c) increased market participation, while ensuring the cyber resilience of the developed tools.

D-HYDROFLEX will validate the developed framework in operational hydro plants in 5 countries across Europe (i.e., Spain, France, Poland, Romania, Greece), facilitating common practice among plant operators and taking into consideration all involved hydro plant aspects (operation, maintenance, sustainability) empowering hydro plant operators to conclude on the optimal solutions portfolio according to the plant capabilities, local energy system needs and environmental specificities. Existing and new business models will be analysed, while regulatory propositions to policy makers will be formulated to surpass any identified regulatory and market barriers.