Hydropower - An indispensable part of the secure power supply in Europe
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Severe power grid disturbances on 8 January 2021 underline the importance of reserve maintenance and balancing power
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Hydropower has made a significant contribution to stabilising Europe's electricity grids
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Further intelligent combination of electricity generators and consumers in the grid is needed with hydropower as an efficient, reliable, flexible and storable part of the "renewable family”
On 8 January 2021, Europe was on the verge of a blackout. Here it became clear once again how hydropower makes a significant contribution to stabilise the European electricity grids in crisis situations. With reserve maintenance, control energy provision in combination with high control dynamics as well as black start and islanding capability, it offers an indispensable asset for the stability and security of energy supply in Europe.
VGB PowerTech, the technical association of power plant operators, has prepared a background report on the event with a special focus on the role of hydropower. The attached report looks beyond an analysis of the power grid disruption and highlights the challenges associated with the ongoing transformation of the European energy system and how hydropower plants can contribute even further to grid protection and security of supply in the future.
The Austrian Power Grid (APG) has recently published a video about the incident.