Understanding Hydropower’s Role in the Clean Energy Transition: Quantifying the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Cost of Flexibility

Idaho National Laboratory Engineering/Climate, 2023–24

Liaison(s): Hill Balliet ’18
Advisor(s): TJ Tsai
Students(s): Leah McGregor (TL-S), Henry Lee (TL-F), Melissa Bruno (F), Claire Rafferty (F), Thomas Lilygreen (S), Ka’imi Duncklee (S)

The Idaho National Laboratory Clinic team is analyzing large operational and event datasets to develop a method for estimating the operations and maintenance (O&M) costs associated with flexible operation of hydroelectric power plants. The team is also designing a control system exploring the feasibility of using industrial-scale Li-ion battery storage to minimize O&M costs. Understanding these costs will help operators make decisions on how their plants can support a clean energy future.