Demonstration of hydropower technologies for efficient and forward-looking refurbishment of existing hydropower plants

Expected Outcome:

For a renewables-based electricity system sufficient flexible and also in the long-run fully sustainable hydropower capacity is pivotal. Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Enhancing the capacities of the hydropower fleet to contribute with variable renewables base load to a secure and stable electricity system, including by modernising grid integration and hydropower fleet control.
• Increase technology leadership, competitiveness and technology export potential of European hydropower industry.
• Address challenges of climate change adaptation for a forward-looking and stable operation of sustainable hydropower for the coming decades.

Scope:

Demonstration of hydropower technology solutions which allow for efficient and forward-looking refurbishment of existing hydropower plants. Provided solutions must be socioeconomically and environmentally sustainable (including biodiversity) and provide a respective assessment. Issues which can be addressed are for example: Innovative design of turbines (and also draft tubes, nozzles and distributors) and generators, including innovative improvements based on future load cycles and extending their intended life time; new models and simulation tools for harsher operational conditions; digitalisation and artificial intelligence to advance instrumentation and controls and flexibility and to develop innovative operational strategies towards reduced O&M costs; transient aspect linked to new operating patterns of hydro plants to cope with climate changes and renewable base load; new materials for increased efficiency and resistance of equipment and increased performance, life time and resilience of infrastructure including e.g. phasing out of PFAS and mineral oils; low-GHG balance concrete; automated maintenance of metal hydropower turbines to reduce cost; operator hazards and reduce LCoE related to OPEX; Improving water uses resilience via integrated operations and management; simulation and forecasting tools for integrated risk and mitigation analysis for climate change adaptation and in response to extreme weather events by taking fully into account biodiversity requirements by targeting good ecological status and e.g. fish migration; water flows and sediment dynamics not hampering flexible hydropower production, innovative techniques for enhancing the life time of concrete structures and the overtopping safety of embankment and rockfill structures. Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL.

Submissions open on 04 August 2027.

Part of call HORIZON-CL5-2027-07

Type of action: HORIZON Innovation Actions

Programme period: 2021 - 2027

Priorities: AI, RePowerEU, DigitalAgenda

"> General conditions

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout

described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide .

3. Other Eligible Conditions

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).

In line with the “ restriction on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas ” delineated in General Annex B of the General Annexes, entities established in an eligible country but which are directly or indirectly controlled by China or by a legal entity established in China are not eligible to participate in the action.

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion

described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds

are described in