Elektrane (2025) [pp. 246-255]
AUTHOR(S) / АУТОР(И): Marija Lazarevikj, Valentino Stojkovski, Zoran Markov
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/EEP25.246L
ABSTRACT / САЖЕТАК:
Developing and enhancing hydropower technologies is essential for accelerating the clean energy transition. Besides conventional hydropower potentials, one of the best possibilities for hydropower advancements to contribute to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is to use the untapped potential within existing infrastructure. Hidden hydropower is exploited from water systems primarily built for non-power purposes, such as water supply networks, irrigation channels, wastewater treatment plants and fishpond plants. Such water systems have a transport section, end users with certain requirements and equipment that ensures functionality. In such conditions, extracting the hidden power without disrupting the many years of exploitation and meeting the needs of users is challenging. Solutions for utilizing the hidden hydro potential of existing installations are proposed in this paper. Providing the characteristics of each system, calculation models adapted to different system configurations are developed. The applied methodology integrates mathematical calculations based on fundamental laws of hydraulics with 1D flow modelling software, considering the specific conditions for the analysed system. Solutions are proposed based on the technical and operational possibilities of real water supply systems which are developed for several management systems. The results of the model show the potential for upgrade of water systems for energy utilization. On the basis of the proposed solutions, for some of them, the procedure for implementation has started.
KEYWORDS / КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ:
hidden hydropower, water supply systems, calculation model, energy utilization
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT / ПРОЈЕКАТ:
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