Powering Europe’s Future - Optimizing Switzerland’s Hydro Dams in the Face of Climate Change
What?
Master Thesis or Semester Project
Where?
IPESE Lab, EPFL Valais Campus (Sion), with possibilities for partial remote work. High-frequency exchanges within a dynamic research community.
When?
Flexible start and end dates according to personal preference—mutually agreeable scheduling.
Context
Be the strategist behind the “Battery of Europe” and shape the future of renewable energy storage!
Nestled in the Swiss Alps, hydro dams have long been the backbone of Switzerland’s energy system, acting as colossal batteries that store and supply energy as needed. These hydro power systems are pivotal in balancing the intermittency and seasonality of renewable resources like wind and solar power—not just for Switzerland, but for Europe at large.
However, climate change is rewriting the rules. Melting glaciers and shifting precipitation patterns threaten to alter natural inflows, directly impacting hydro dam and river production. Recent events, such as the 2023 “Winter Reserve” policy leading to overfilled dams and revenue losses in spring 2024, highlight the urgent need for optimized planning and operation.
This is where you come in.
By leveraging advanced energy system models like EnergyScope, you will:
- Integrate Climate Change Effects: Model how climate change influences natural water inflows to hydro dams.
- Link Hydro Dam and River Production: Understand and simulate the interplay between dam operations and downstream river energy generation.
- Optimize Hydro Operations: Determine the best strategies for operating hydro dams, including pumping, storing, and turbining capacities, to maximize efficiency and revenue.
For those motivated in goign the extra mile, additional challenges include:
- Modeling the Swiss Alpine Hydro Network: Dive deep into the complexities of the Swiss hydro power system, including iconic structures like Grande Dixence, and optimize their interconnected operations.
- Assessing Supply Security and Market Opportunities: Analyze how Switzerland can bolster energy security and seize market opportunities with neighboring countries, solidifying its role as the “Battery of Europe.”
Your work will be instrumental in ensuring that Switzerland not only maintains but enhances its critical role in Europe’s energy landscape, especially under the looming shadow of climate change.
Skills and Background
- Strong understanding of energy system modeling (e.g., courses like Modeling and Optimization of Energy Systems).
- Knowledge of hydro power systems and energy conversion processes (course Energy Conversion and Renewable Energy).
- Proficiency in coding (Python preferred).
- Familiarity with climate change impacts on energy systems.
- Analytical skills for data interpretation and scenario analysis.
- Interdisciplinary mindset to integrate technical, environmental, and socio-economic aspects.
Objectives
- Integrate Climate Change Effects:
- Model the impact of climate change on natural inflows to hydro dams, considering glacier melt and altered precipitation patterns.
- Link Hydro Dam and River Production:
- Develop models that connect the operation of hydro dams with downstream river production, accounting for the influence of dam operations on river flows.
- Assess and Optimize Hydro Power Role:
- Evaluate optimal operation strategies for hydro dams, including pumping, storing, and turbining capacities.
- Analyze how hydro storage can compensate for renewable energy intermittency and support grid stability.
- Extra Mile) Model the Swiss Hydro System:
- Create a model of the Swiss hydro power network in the Alps, incorporating tunnels, compensation basins, and multiple turbining stations.
- Optimize the integrated operation of this complex network for maximum efficiency and sustainability.
- Assess Supply Security and Market Opportunities:
- Investigate supply security challenges under various policy and economic scenarios.
- Identify opportunities for Switzerland to support neighboring countries’ energy needs, reinforcing its position as the “Battery of Europe.”
Contacts
Additional Information
For further reading and context, consider exploring the following references:
- https://doi.org/10.5075/epfl-thesis-11101
- https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/7/1718#
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2023.1164813
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2024.1433921
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122537
Join us in safeguarding and enhancing the powerhouse that is Switzerland’s hydro system. Your contribution will be pivotal in navigating the challenges of climate change, ensuring energy security, and keeping the lights on across Europe. Be a key player in optimizing the “Battery of Europe” for a sustainable and resilient energy future!