Australia’s main power grid is forecast to exceed 50% renewable energy contribution by 2025. By 2030, this number is predicted to rise to an astounding 69%. This estimate - released by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources - forms part of the country’s updated emissions projections which highlights that a mix of renewable energy sources will promote this renewable energy growth.
In addition to the substantial increase in wind and solar contribution, hydropower is a major source of renewable energy in Australia. Besides the fact that the technology behind hydropower has been around for more than a century, you might wonder what makes it special?
Well, hydro-powered electricity has the potential to be Australia’s renewable energy superpower.
How does hydropower work?
Hydropower stations generate energy by collecting water from streams and rivers and passing this water through turbines. The amount of electricity produced is dependent on how much water passes through the plant and how high the water level is in relation to the turbines.
Hydropower has been a heavyweight in Australia’s clean energy sector for many years
According to the Clean Energy Council’s 2022 Clean Energy Report, hydropower is a significant source of renewable energy in Australia, currently accounting for about 22% of the nation’s renewable energy generation. In 2020, the council shared that hydropower was behind 23% of Australia’s clean energy and about 6% of the country’s total electricity generated.
According to Geoscience Australia, our country has more than 100 operating hydroelectric power stations with a total installed capacity of around 7800 megawatts. These hydropower plants are predominantly located in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. Tasmania in particular is highly reliant on hydropower.
The advantages of hydropower
Hydropower is truly renewable. It does not rely on a finite resource such as gas and will not “run out” as long as the water keeps moving.
Hydropower is also very reliable. Unlike solar or wind power, hydropower plants can generate energy 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There’s no need to wait until the sun comes out or for the wind to pick up, the flow of water can be kept at a constant rate or can be adjusted as needed.
Hydropower has a high ramp rate. It is the ideal energy source for both base and peak load power generation because it can respond quickly to changes in demand.
Not only has hydropower technology stood the test of time but hydropower stations and equipment are built to do the same so, once established, they are relatively low-cost to run.
Clean energy is a priority for our future and a key focus of sustainability strategy across the mining, processing, construction and manufacturing industries. The process of hydropower generation does not release emissions into the environment. Simply harnessing the force of flowing water, a significant amount of electricity is produced without the use of fossil fuels and without creating toxic by-products.
Valves are a critical component of hydropower systems
The design of a hydropower system includes components such as valves, pipes, and pumps. The valves are responsible for a range of functions including controlling the bottom outlet of the dam; connecting and stopping water supply; and adjusting the water’s direction, pressure, and flow.
It is essential, for the optimal and safe operation of a plant, that the valves selected are appropriate for the purpose, reliable, and efficient.
As hydropower plants use a large amount of water, there is a risk of flooding. This can result in damage to the plant and the surrounding environment, as well as present a potential risk to the lives of workers on site. Having a solid flood risk mitigation strategy in place which includes the careful selection and maintenance of the plant’s valves and close monitoring of valve performance is critical.
The main types of valves used in hydro-electrical plants are:
1. Shut-off and Butterfly Valves for safety.
2. Spherical valves for reliability at high operating pressures.
3. Hollow jet valves for eco-friendly discharge, and
4. Pressure relief valves to manage pressure control in the event of turbine shutdown.
Companies like The Valve Company have specialist consultants offering valve selection and installation advice and technical support so the right valves are specified for projects. The highest quality, trusted valve brands are critical when it comes to the performance of hydropower plant operations as it directly relates to greater efficiency, less downtime, and reduced safety risk.
Hydropower will keep playing a major role in Australia’s renewable energy journey
Hydropower will continue to play a big role in our renewable energy future, will be a major player in reaching our emissions targets, and has the potential to be Australia’s superpower.
With so much on the line, knowing your valve fundamentals is critical when it comes to valve selection and maintenance for hydropower stations and working with credible valve techs will provide you with confidence when it comes to valves specification and commissioning.
