Abstract

The growing challenges of climate change and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions make Germany’s Energy Transition a crucial step in addressing these global issues. Climate change, driven largely by rising CO₂ levels, demands a swift shift to renewable energy to minimise its impact on the environment and society. At the same time, the gradual phase-out of conventional power plants presents significant challenges for the electricity grid, especially in terms of expanding the network and ensuring its reliability. This study explores the critical role of hydropower plants in stabilizing the energy system. In addition to generating renewable energy, hydropower plants are highly adaptable and can play a vital role in ensuring system security by providing reactive power. The research identifies a theoretical potential of 409 MVar inductive and 252 MVar capacitive reactive power in Bavaria’s medium-voltage grids. This highlights the importance of hydropower in addressing the increasing demand for grid stability as conventional power plants are retired. To fully utilise this potential, the study emphasises the need for technical upgrades and changes in regulations. It focuses on challenges related to voltage stability and the control of reactive power, where hydropower’s stability and controllability offer clear advantages. As renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more prominent, their intermittent nature makes the need for reliable grid stabilisation even more pressing. The research also examines the economic and operational aspects of integrating hydropower into reactive power management. It calls for policies and incentives to encourage HPP operators to enhance their capabilities. Modernising equipment and upgrading grid infrastructure are identified as essential steps to align hydropower’s potential with the demands of a renewable energy-focused grid. By balancing technical and economic factors, hydropower can become a cornerstone of a sustainable and decentralised energy system. The findings underscore the importance of collaboration among policymakers, grid operators, and energy producers. Creating a supportive environment for hydropower’s expanded role is essential to achieving the goals of the Energy Transition. This study not only addresses the immediate challenges but also offers solutions that can be adapted to other regions facing similar energy transformation needs. In conclusion, integrating hydropower into reactive power management is a transformative opportunity to enhance the resilience and efficiency of Germany’s electricity grid. The research highlights the importance of aligning technical, regulatory, and economic strategies to fully realize hydropower’s potential. This alignment is key to ensuring the success of the Energy Transition, maintaining grid stability, and reinforcing Germany’s leadership in renewable energy development.

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2025

Embargo Period

2025-07-04

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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