Korttidsreglering inom Mälarenergis vattenkraftinnehav : Effektbidrag och miljömässiga konsekvenser i valda scenarion

Sammanfattning: Short term regulation, or hydropeaking, provides useful grid services and can be economically beneficial. However, hydropeaking is also associated with environmental impacts concerning flows and water levels. In the south of Sweden, where the electricity demand is greater than the supply, balance regulation from small hydropower plants can contribute to local grid stability. The objective of this report is to evaluate the possibilities for hydropeaking within Mälarenergi’s hydropower plants, with regards to possible power increase and environmental consequences. The report aims to conclude whether there is potential to optimize the operation of the power plants for production of balancing power. A literature study was conducted, as well as a survey of Mälarenergi’s hydropower plants and regulation dams. To describe potential flow regimes, three scenarios for hydropeaking in Kolbäcksån were created in joint consulation with Mälarenergi. The results show that the total increase in available power will vary from around 5 – 11 MW. It is indicated that the largest environmental impact will occur in the scenario with the greatest difference between base flow and peak flow. It can be concluded that several forms of hydropeaking are possible to utilize in Kolbäcksån. The available balancing power is enough to be able to contribute secondary frequency control for Svenska kraftnät. Flow parameters indicate that environmental and ecological impacts will be relatively mild, although this needs to be investigated further. To complement the findings in this report, an evaluation of the economic conditions for the proposed hydropeaking scenarios is proposed as a future project.