Miljöåtgärders påverkan på vattenkraftens elproduktion och reglerförmåga

Sammanfattning: Hydropower is predicted to have a continued significant role in the future energy system thanks to itsfossil-free electricity production and ability to regulate production according to demand. However,there is a conflict between hydropower plants and the surrounding ecosystems. The operation ofhydropower plants creates sudden variations in the rivers' water flow and large areas are left dryduring parts of the year. The subject has been investigated with a model of the Skellefte river in anenergy system optimization software called Spine. Environmental measures have been modeled bysetting requirements for a certain amount of water to be released constantly with the purpose ofimproving the ecosystem of the river. Depending on whether the water is discharged through theturbines or spilled past them, the electricity production is affected differently. The operation of thehydropower plants in the river has been simulated during a week, based on six different scenarios withvarying requirements for minimum water release. Additionally, a measurement called FlexibilityFactor has been used to assess how the ability to regulate electricity production is affected by differentenvironmental measures. The results indicate that a significant amount of electricity production is lostwhen more water is released without being used for electricity production, but the ability to regulateelectricity production is not compromised.