Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Hydropower - Synergy with Other Renewable Energies

Storage hydro and, in regions where the quantity of water is limited, pumped storage can solve a plethora of system challenges. It can follow load fluctuations, so that fossil-fuel plants can continue to operate at their best efficiency. Wind power produces a variable and intermittent supply and hydro can provide the firming capacity to ensure both security and quality in the system. The characteristics of geothermal plant are well suited to base-load operation; hydro's flexibility can support it by meeting peaks in demand. Similar synergies with solar, bio-generation and marine power will develop as these technologies move into larger-scale deployment. In many regions where there is a diverse mix in the power system, storage hydro and pumped storage ensure total system security and maintain the quality of supply.

Fig. 7-4 (Lake Burbury in Tasmania, Australia)

Fig. 7-5 (The Háganga hydropower reservoir in the highlands of northern Iceland)