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Low-head hydropower as a reserve power source: A case study of Northeastern Illinois

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  • Auth, Trevor L.
  • Wackerman, Grace E.
  • Garcia, Marcelo H.
  • Stillwell, Ashlynn S.

Abstract

Wind power generation faces intermittency challenges, typically requiring reserve power sources to maintain reliability of the electricity grid. This study proposes that hydropower turbines installed at low-head dams can provide reserve power generation to support wind power, avoiding the externalities associated with fossil-fuel plants and conventional hydropower. Low-head dams in the United States are used for flood control, securing municipal water supplies, and providing reservoir pools for recreation. As a case study, we estimated hydropower potential at 12 low-head dams along a 150-km reach of the Fox River (Northeastern Illinois, USA) using a calibrated river flow model. We analyzed the model's output to assess power generation capacity and reliability as a source of baseload power and as a component in a coupled wind-hydropower system. The modeled system performed reliably over a five-year time period despite significant long-term fluctuations in streamflow, offsetting the short-term variability of wind power. However, combining the low-head hydropower system with wind power limited the output of the system to the minimum generated by the low-head hydropower. The low-head hydropower system's small capacity and high break-even price suggest that it is better suited for local applications rather than grid-scale operations, especially if permitting regulations are considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Auth, Trevor L. & Wackerman, Grace E. & Garcia, Marcelo H. & Stillwell, Ashlynn S., 2021. "Low-head hydropower as a reserve power source: A case study of Northeastern Illinois," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 980-989.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:175:y:2021:i:c:p:980-989
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.04.099
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    3. Nedaei, Mojtaba & Walsh, Philip R., 2022. "Technical performance evaluation and optimization of a run-of-river hydropower facility," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 343-362.

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