IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v253y2025ics0960148125011929.html

Hybridization of an alpine pumped-storage hydropower plant with floating solar photovoltaics: a study from the water resource perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Micocci, Domenico
  • Bragalli, Cristiana
  • Toth, Elena
  • Wechsler, Tobias
  • Zappa, Massimiliano

Abstract

Variable renewable energy sources, like wind and solar power, are crucial for decarbonizing electricity systems, but pose challenges due to their intermittency. Hybridization (i.e., joint operation) with reservoir-based hydropower, which is a programmable resource, can address this issue. However, an open question is still how hybridization of existing hydropower plants could affect the water resources management. We propose a modelling framework for an existing pumped-storage hydropower plant located in the Swiss pre-alpine region, complemented by a fictional floating solar photovoltaic plant with a nominal capacity equal to about 50 % of the hydropower plant. The modelling framework considers reservoir management constraints and environmental flow requirements. The hourly simulations over 38 years show: (i) a 20 % increase in overall annual energy production, (ii) an improvement in the system reliability through mutual complementarity, and (iii) a potential for enhancing downstream environmental flow up to 50 % during the hot summer season, thereby enabling more streamflow for ecological purposes.

Suggested Citation

  • Micocci, Domenico & Bragalli, Cristiana & Toth, Elena & Wechsler, Tobias & Zappa, Massimiliano, 2025. "Hybridization of an alpine pumped-storage hydropower plant with floating solar photovoltaics: a study from the water resource perspective," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:253:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125011929
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123530
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148125011929
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2025.123530?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jurasz, Jakub & Ciapała, Bartłomiej, 2017. "Integrating photovoltaics into energy systems by using a run-off-river power plant with pondage to smooth energy exchange with the power gird," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 21-35.
    2. Piancó, Felipe & Moraes, Leo & Prazeres, Igor dos & Lima, Antônio Guilherme Garcia & Bessa, João Gabriel & Micheli, Leonardo & Fernández, Eduardo & Almonacid, Florencia, 2022. "Hydroelectric operation for hybridization with a floating photovoltaic plant: A case of study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 85-95.
    3. François, B. & Borga, M. & Creutin, J.D. & Hingray, B. & Raynaud, D. & Sauterleute, J.F., 2016. "Complementarity between solar and hydro power: Sensitivity study to climate characteristics in Northern-Italy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 543-553.
    4. Kakoulaki, G. & Gonzalez Sanchez, R. & Gracia Amillo, A. & Szabo, S. & De Felice, M. & Farinosi, F. & De Felice, L. & Bisselink, B. & Seliger, R. & Kougias, I. & Jaeger-Waldau, A., 2023. "Benefits of pairing floating solar photovoltaics with hydropower reservoirs in Europe," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    5. Rafael M. Almeida & Rafael Schmitt & Steven M. Grodsky & Alexander S. Flecker & Carla P. Gomes & Lu Zhao & Haohui Liu & Nathan Barros & Rafael Kelman & Peter B. McIntyre, 2022. "Floating solar power could help fight climate change — let’s get it right," Nature, Nature, vol. 606(7913), pages 246-249, June.
    6. Hunt, Julian David & Zakeri, Behnam & Lopes, Rafael & Barbosa, Paulo Sérgio Franco & Nascimento, Andreas & Castro, Nivalde José de & Brandão, Roberto & Schneider, Paulo Smith & Wada, Yoshihide, 2020. "Existing and new arrangements of pumped-hydro storage plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    7. David E. H. J. Gernaat & Patrick W. Bogaart & Detlef P. van Vuuren & Hester Biemans & Robin Niessink, 2017. "High-resolution assessment of global technical and economic hydropower potential," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(10), pages 821-828, October.
    8. Engeland, Kolbjørn & Borga, Marco & Creutin, Jean-Dominique & François, Baptiste & Ramos, Maria-Helena & Vidal, Jean-Philippe, 2017. "Space-time variability of climate variables and intermittent renewable electricity production – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 600-617.
    9. Nobre, Regina & Boulêtreau, Stéphanie & Colas, Fanny & Azemar, Frederic & Tudesque, Loïc & Parthuisot, Nathalie & Favriou, Pierre & Cucherousset, Julien, 2023. "Potential ecological impacts of floating photovoltaics on lake biodiversity and ecosystem functioning," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    10. Guittet, Mélanie & Capezzali, Massimiliano & Gaudard, Ludovic & Romerio, Franco & Vuille, François & Avellan, François, 2016. "Study of the drivers and asset management of pumped-storage power plants historical and geographical perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 560-579.
    11. Delucchi, Mark A. & Jacobson, Mark Z., 2011. "Providing all global energy with wind, water, and solar power, Part II: Reliability, system and transmission costs, and policies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 1170-1190, March.
    12. Yubin Jin & Shijie Hu & Alan D. Ziegler & Luke Gibson & J. Elliott Campbell & Rongrong Xu & Deliang Chen & Kai Zhu & Yan Zheng & Bin Ye & Fan Ye & Zhenzhong Zeng, 2023. "Energy production and water savings from floating solar photovoltaics on global reservoirs," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(7), pages 865-874, July.
    13. Petrollese, Mario & Seche, Pierluigi & Cocco, Daniele, 2019. "Analysis and optimization of solar-pumped hydro storage systems integrated in water supply networks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    14. Jerez, S. & Tobin, I. & Turco, M. & Jiménez-Guerrero, P. & Vautard, R. & Montávez, J.P., 2019. "Future changes, or lack thereof, in the temporal variability of the combined wind-plus-solar power production in Europe," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 251-260.
    15. C.J., Ramanan & Lim, King Hann & Kurnia, Jundika Candra & Roy, Sukanta & Bora, Bhaskor Jyoti & Medhi, Bhaskar Jyoti, 2024. "Towards sustainable power generation: Recent advancements in floating photovoltaic technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    16. Lee, Nathan & Grunwald, Ursula & Rosenlieb, Evan & Mirletz, Heather & Aznar, Alexandra & Spencer, Robert & Cox, Sadie, 2020. "Hybrid floating solar photovoltaics-hydropower systems: Benefits and global assessment of technical potential," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1415-1427.
    17. Baptiste François & Benoit Hingray & Marco Borga & Davide Zoccatelli & Casey Brown & Jean-Dominique Creutin, 2018. "Impact of Climate Change on Combined Solar and Run-of-River Power in Northern Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-22, January.
    18. Paolo Venturini & Gabriele Guglielmo Gagliardi & Giuliano Agati & Luca Cedola & Michele Vincenzo Migliarese Caputi & Domenico Borello, 2024. "Integration of Floating Photovoltaic Panels with an Italian Hydroelectric Power Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-17, February.
    19. Egre, Dominique & Milewski, Joseph C., 2002. "The diversity of hydropower projects," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(14), pages 1225-1230, November.
    20. Lund, Peter D. & Lindgren, Juuso & Mikkola, Jani & Salpakari, Jyri, 2015. "Review of energy system flexibility measures to enable high levels of variable renewable electricity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 785-807.
    21. Deane, J.P. & Ó Gallachóir, B.P. & McKeogh, E.J., 2010. "Techno-economic review of existing and new pumped hydro energy storage plant," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(4), pages 1293-1302, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wei, Yujia & Khojasteh, Danial & Windt, Christian & Huang, Luofeng, 2025. "An interdisciplinary literature review of floating solar power plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    2. Hayibo, Koami Soulemane & Jamil, Uzair & Pearce, Joshua M., 2025. "Additional value of non-electricity generating services (co-benefits) provided by non-conventional dual use solar photovoltaic systems: A PRISMA review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    3. Emmanouil, Stergios & Nikolopoulos, Efthymios I. & François, Baptiste & Brown, Casey & Anagnostou, Emmanouil N., 2021. "Evaluating existing water supply reservoirs as small-scale pumped hydroelectric storage options – A case study in Connecticut," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    4. Handriyanti Diah Puspitarini & Baptiste François & Marco Baratieri & Casey Brown & Mattia Zaramella & Marco Borga, 2020. "Complementarity between Combined Heat and Power Systems, Solar PV and Hydropower at a District Level: Sensitivity to Climate Characteristics along an Alpine Transect," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.
    5. Jurasz, Jakub & Dąbek, Paweł B. & Kaźmierczak, Bartosz & Kies, Alexander & Wdowikowski, Marcin, 2018. "Large scale complementary solar and wind energy sources coupled with pumped-storage hydroelectricity for Lower Silesia (Poland)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 183-192.
    6. Schmitt, Rafael Jan Pablo & Rosa, Lorenzo, 2024. "Dams for hydropower and irrigation: Trends, challenges, and alternatives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    7. Harrison-Atlas, Dylan & Murphy, Caitlin & Schleifer, Anna & Grue, Nicholas, 2022. "Temporal complementarity and value of wind-PV hybrid systems across the United States," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 111-123.
    8. Ming, Bo & Liu, Pan & Guo, Shenglian & Cheng, Lei & Zhou, Yanlai & Gao, Shida & Li, He, 2018. "Robust hydroelectric unit commitment considering integration of large-scale photovoltaic power: A case study in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 1341-1352.
    9. Haspolat, Emre & Cicek, Doga Derman & Gokmener, Serkan & Melek, Abiddin Berhan & Deveci, Muhammet & Oguz, Elif, 2024. "Site selection of floating photovoltaic systems on hydropower reservoirs using fuzzy sine trigonometric decision-making model: Turkey as a case study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    10. C.J., Ramanan & Lim, King Hann & Kurnia, Jundika Candra & Roy, Sukanta & Bora, Bhaskor Jyoti & Medhi, Bhaskar Jyoti, 2024. "Towards sustainable power generation: Recent advancements in floating photovoltaic technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    11. Nasir, Jehanzeb & Javed, Adeel & Ali, Majid & Ullah, Kafait & Kazmi, Syed Ali Abbas, 2022. "Capacity optimization of pumped storage hydropower and its impact on an integrated conventional hydropower plant operation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    12. Blanco, Herib & Faaij, André, 2018. "A review at the role of storage in energy systems with a focus on Power to Gas and long-term storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 1049-1086.
    13. Jurasz, Jakub & Mikulik, Jerzy & Krzywda, Magdalena & Ciapała, Bartłomiej & Janowski, Mirosław, 2018. "Integrating a wind- and solar-powered hybrid to the power system by coupling it with a hydroelectric power station with pumping installation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 549-563.
    14. Wang, Zhenni & Wen, Xin & Tan, Qiaofeng & Fang, Guohua & Lei, Xiaohui & Wang, Hao & Yan, Jinyue, 2021. "Potential assessment of large-scale hydro-photovoltaic-wind hybrid systems on a global scale," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    15. Wang, Jin & Zhao, Zhipeng & Zhou, Jinglin & Cheng, Chuntian & Su, Huaying, 2024. "Co-optimization for day-ahead scheduling and flexibility response mode of a hydro–wind–solar hybrid system considering forecast uncertainty of variable renewable energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    16. Vivar, M. & H, Sharon & Fuentes, M., 2024. "Photovoltaic system adoption in water related technologies – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    17. Wang, Zhenni & Tan, Qiaofeng & Wen, Xin & Su, Huaying & Fang, Guohua & Wang, Hao, 2025. "Capacity optimization of retrofitting cascade hydropower plants with pumping stations for renewable energy integration: A case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PC).
    18. Bracken, Cameron & Voisin, Nathalie & Burleyson, Casey D. & Campbell, Allison M. & Hou, Z. Jason & Broman, Daniel, 2024. "Standardized benchmark of historical compound wind and solar energy droughts across the Continental United States," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    19. Silva, Ana R. & Pousinho, H.M.I. & Estanqueiro, Ana, 2022. "A multistage stochastic approach for the optimal bidding of variable renewable energy in the day-ahead, intraday and balancing markets," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    20. López-Franca, Noelia & Gaertner, Miguel Ángel & Sánchez, Enrique & Gutiérrez, Claudia & Ortega, María & Gallardo, Clemente, 2026. "Offshore wind energy in the Iberian Peninsula: A comparative analysis of availability, persistence, and complementarity with onshore wind and solar photovoltaic generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:253:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125011929. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.