Institution news
Q: Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in hydropower?
Sean Kelly (SK): I have been involved in hydropower for over 30 years and I am now focusing on PS development with SSE.
Q: In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing engineers specialising in hydropower?
SK: The biggest challenge is the long term investment nature of hydropower and matching that to the lack of regulatory and market certainty that drives the project business cases at the minute.
Q: What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?
SK: The decarbonisation of the grid and the increased need for flexibility and storage due in part to the volume of variable renewable power generation sources replacing thermal plants. Along with the electrification of transport and heat, how this will impact the electricity sector? These are challenges that will need changes in how the grid is run and controlled and will drive innovation.
Q: What do you see for the future of hydropower development and engineering over the next 5–10 years?
SK: Existing hydro stations will be engaged in full reviews of their operation and their catchment areas to maximise the asset revenue potential. No longer focusing on base load and peak generation but looking at opportunities to increase storage and flexible services. Also we will need to look at how the operational management strategy of the water catchment with changing weather patterns will be matched to changing grid requirements.
Q: What are you most looking forward to by attending this seminar?
SK: To see if there is enthusiasm for hydro development in the UK? You get a bit stuck in your own company silo sometimes and forget that there are other engineers working in hydro too
Q: Which sessions are you most looking forward to hearing?
SK: I am looking to forward to the presentation titled ‘Energy Synergy: Adding Flywheel Function to Pumped Storage’ led by Alois Lechner, Lead Engineer for Variable Speed at Andritz Hydro.
Q: Why should hydropower engineers join this seminar?
SK: To meet with their peers and see a wider picture that not just the work straight in front of them.
Key programme highlights:
- First Hydro Company and Voith Hydro discuss the Ffestiniog pump storage refurbishment and modernisation project
- SSE Generation Development share a case study about the Coire Glas Pumped Storage scheme
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Tidal Lagoon Power share an update on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project
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Tidal Electric Ltd discusses the feasibility of building an offshore tidal lagoon power plant in the Solway
- Andritz Hydro talk about adding flywheel function to pumped storage
- Mott MacDonald share insights on the future of hydropower
For full details and to book your place, visit Hydropower Engineering: Technologies, Projects and Future Developments which takes place on 14 June 2018 at One Birdcage Walk in London.