Boosting Hydropower: Best Practices for Research

This webinar is part of a series designed to showcase key research outputs from past and ongoing European hydropower projects, providing a platform to present concrete results, lessons learned and innovative solutions developed under EU-funded research programmes. By bringing together completed and running projects, the webinar aims to bridge research and practice, highlight how scientific advances translate into real-world applications, and support knowledge transfer across the hydropower value chain.

The event will be moderated by Anton J. Schleiss, who will guide participants through the session and frame the discussion within the broader European hydropower research and policy context.

The webinar will open with a presentation by Emanuele Quaranta from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, who will introduce the Clean Energy Technology Observatory (CETO) and present key insights on recent policy developments and strategic priorities relevant to the hydropower sector.

This will be followed by three project-focused presentations showcasing concrete research results and innovations in hydropower. Giovanna Cavazzini will first present the H-HOPE project, highlighting solutions for recovering hidden hydropower in water infrastructures to support digitalisation and system resilience. Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug will then present HydroFlex, demonstrating how increased operational flexibility in hydropower plants is essential for integrating variable renewable energy sources and maintaining grid stability. Finally, Xavier Escaler will present AFC4Hydro, focusing on advanced active flow control solutions that improve turbine performance, flexibility and reliability under off-design operating conditions.

The session will conclude with a moderated discussion and audience Q&A, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers and explore how these research outcomes contribute to the future of sustainable and flexible hydropower in Europe.