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Master Thesis
Department of Hydraulic and
Environmental Engineering
Innovative Surge Systems for
Small Hydro
By Fredrik Staff Edin
Supervisor: Leif Lia
Cosupervisor: Kaspar Vereide
Background
M. Rathnayake, 2014, ‘New Croton Dam’, downloaded 29.01.2015,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/malindaratz/15189998922/Reynermedia, 2010, ‘California Wind Farm’, downloaded 29.01.2015,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/89228431@N06/11080409645/
B. Speelman, 2010, ‘Jeda Villa Bali Solar’, downloaded 29.01.2015,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jedavillabali/5077410064/In Norway regulation stability on isolated grids are not required for small hydropower plant (<
10 MW), compared to what is specified by STATNETT for large hydro. To satisfy this demand,
larger hydropower plants often need surge tanks in order to ensure regulation stability. Small
hydropower plants are most frequently constructed without such component
The specified limit [MW] for securing of regulation stability is currently under discussion. Due
to massive development of wind, small hydro and photovoltaic power projects, the amount
of unregulated power in the common grid is increasing, and there is need for more stability in
the grid. It is therefor possible that small hydro may have to account for regulation stability in
the future.
Small hydro is very sensitive to cost, and the additional cost of a traditional surge system
may render many projects unfeasible. It is therefore interesting to investigate alternative
solutions which can provide regulation stability for small hydropower projects. This thesis will
focus on measures which can be implemented in the waterway design of the hydro power
plant.