D-HYDROFLEX: An Architectural Framework for Digitalization, Flexibility and Sustainability on Hydro Power Plants

Hydropower plays a crucial role in renewable energy, generating more electricity than any other renewable source. It is expected to remain a significant contributor into the following decade and will continue to be vital in decarbonizing the power system and enhancing the flexibility of the grid. However, to meet the evolving demands of modern power systems, hydropower plants (HPPs) should focus on increasing flexibility and sustainability. To address this need, this paper presents the D-HYDROFLEX architectural framework, which introduces a toolkit of digital solutions for the modernization and digital renovation of HPPs. More specifically, the D-HYDROFLEX architecture outlines the components of the target system, including a suite of tools, their interconnection and their interaction with the physical infrastructure of the HPP. Finally, a link of this toolkit with a wide range of applications is provided, such as operational maximization, predictive maintenance, decision support, forecasting, hydrological modeling, HPP hybridization, biodiversity impact monitoring, and cybersecurity.