XFLEX Hydro

Z’Mutt is a pumping station located in Canton Valais, Switzerland, and feeds water into the main reservoir of the Grande Dixence hydroelectric scheme. Originally commissioned in 1964, Z’Mutt has a total pumping capacity of 88 MW across five existing pumps. During XFLEX HYDRO, one unit will be replaced with a new 5 MW variable speed reversible pump-turbine which, when installed with modern power electronics and smart controls, will demonstrate a high range of flexibility.

View our video about the Z’Mutt project.

Objectives

Demonstrate the high flexibility of a variable speed hydro unit equipped with full size frequency converter (FSFC) for advanced control capabilities. Enhanced services will include fast power injection or absorption in pumping and generating mode, synthetic inertia , fast start and stops in pumping and generating modes;
Validate lifetime prediction methods of components and confirm safe long-term operation under high flexibility conditions.

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Key Tasks

Initial studies
Adaptation – Smart Power Plant Supervisor (SPPS)
Implementation of Full Size Frequency Converter (FSFC)
Installation and operation
Conclusions

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Partners involved in this demonstration

full-scale apllications

During the project, the flexibility technologies will be trialled at 7 demonstration sites. These are located at existing European hydropower stations. Each XFLEX HYDRO demonstration site will test a different technological configuration, installed together with the Smart Power Plant Supervisor in every case.

BATTERY/ TURBINE HYBRID

Vogelgrun is a 142 MW run-of-river hydropower plant in France, situated near the border with Germany along the river Rhine.

ENHANCED FIXED SPEED

Alto Lindoso is a 630 MW hydropower plant situated on the Lima river in Portugal. Caniçada is a 70 MW hydropower plant located in northern Portugal

HYDRAULIC SHORT CIRCUIT

Alqueva is a pumped storage scheme in southern Portugal that was built in two phases, Alqueva I and II, now totalling 520 MW.

HYDRAULIC SHORT CIRCUIT

Sitting in the French Alps, Grand'Maison is Europe’s largest pumped storage plant at 1,800 MW capacity.

VARIABLE SPEED (DFIM)

Frades 2 is a new 780 MW pumped storage hydropower plant in northern Portugal.

VARIABLE SPEED (FSFC)

Z’Mutt is a pumping station located in Canton Valais, Switzerland, and feeds water into the main reservoir of the Grande Dixence hydroelectric scheme.