UNIFYING THE VOICES OF HYDROPOWER
Hydropower and Sustainability in Focus at SHF HydroES 2025
On 17–18 September 2025, the SHF HydroES Conference in Grenoble, France, brought together experts and stakeholders to advance knowledge on hydropower and environmental sustainability. The event provided an important platform for presenting the latest work developed within the ETIP HYDROPOWER Working Groups.
Denis Aelbrecht, Chair of the Governing Board, opened the session with an introduction to ETIP HYDROPOWER and later offered closing reflections. Maryse François presented the White Paper on Flexibility, inviting participants to continue the conversation during the upcoming webinar scheduled for 8 October 2025. Agnès Barillier followed with a presentation of the main messages from the White Paper on E-flows and Biodiversity, while Benjamin Graff shared preliminary insights from the forthcoming White Paper on Climate Change, which will soon be made publicly available.
The two-day conference concluded with a series of technical visits that offered participants hands-on insights into hydropower innovation and sustainability. At the EDF Cheylas pumped storage plant, participants explored sediment management solutions developed by Watertracks through the Nessie technology. At the SuperGrid Institute, the group visited the TM1 Scaled Model test platform (IEC 60193) and the HydroPHIL transient platform, and took part in discussions on hybridisation with batteries, variable speed solutions and the economic value of hydropower in electricity markets. The programme also included a visit to the ARTELAB Modelling Laboratory, managed by Artelia.
Innovating for Grid Flexibility: ETIP HYDROPOWER Co-Moderates one of the sessions at the International Forum on Pumped StorageAt the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower, one of the most anticipated sessions, “Innovating for Grid Flexibility: New Technology Showcase”, highlighted how pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is evolving to meet the demands of renewable-dominated power systems. The session was co-moderated by Prof. em. Dr. Anton Schleiss, Coordinator of ETIP HYDROPOWER, together with Matteo Bianciotto, Policy and Research Director at the International Hydropower Association (IHA), which is also a partner of ETIP HYDROPOWER. Their moderation reflected ETIP HYDROPOWER’s active role in guiding Europe’s hydropower innovation agenda. Innovation at the heart of PSHThe debate demonstrated that although PSH is a mature and proven technology, it is constantly adapting to address new challenges. Experts exchanged views on variable speed technology, battery–turbine hybridisation, hydraulic short circuit solutions, plant digitalisation, and design and construction challenges. Case studies and perspectivesThe panel brought together a wide range of international expertise:
Opening the session, Alexander Speckle presented the Kühtai 2 Pumped Storage Plant in Austria, which expands an existing facility to cover winter electricity shortages. He explained how the project integrates variable speed machines and a new reservoir to provide around 0.2 GWh of additional storage. He also underlined that more than €100 million have been invested in environmental mitigation to secure stakeholder trust. During the debate, Romain Pellegrino stressed that hydropower “remains crucial to balance variable renewables” and warned that regulatory frameworks in Europe are not keeping pace with system needs. Elena Vagnoni shared findings from the XFLEX-HYDRO project, noting that digitalisation and real-time optimisation can “increase efficiency, reduce fatigue, and extend equipment lifetime.” Danilo Moresco emphasised ABB’s investment in innovation, highlighting the role of digital twins, cloud-based architectures, and AI, while underlining the need for “collaboration across utilities, startups, and universities.” From India, Parveen Nanda presented the Pinnapuram Integrated Renewable Project, the world’s first large-scale combination of 4.5 GW of wind, solar, and PSH under a single grid connection. He explained that hybrid approaches, including batteries and advanced sensors, were essential to keep costs manageable while providing flexibility. Looking aheadThe session confirmed that pumped storage is far from a “done and dusted” technology. From digitalisation and hybridisation to new partnership models, innovation is reshaping the sector worldwide. By co-moderating this high-level debate, ETIP HYDROPOWER reaffirmed its leadership in advancing hydropower innovation in Europe, while connecting with global pioneers shaping the clean energy transition.
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ETIP HYDROPOWER Cluster Showcases European Hydropower Innovation at the International Forum on Pumped StorageETIP HYDROPOWER participated as BRONZE Partner at the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower, held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This high-level global event marked the culmination of a year-long campaign from the International Hydropower Association (IHA) to accelerate action on pumped storage hydropower: the “unsung hero” of the energy transition. At the Forum, ETIP HYDROPOWER, together with Di-Hydro and STOR-HY, represented the ETIP HYDROPOWER Cluster on the exhibition hall, gathering together some of the most ambitious European projects dedicated to advancing hydropower technology and energy storage solutions. The cluster showcased the latest EU Horizon Europe projects, including: iAMP-Hydro, D-Hydroflex, SHERPA, HYDRO4U, ReHydro, RevHydro, XFLEX-HYDRO, HYPOSO, Store2Hydro, and H-HOPE. Together, these projects embody Europe’s leadership in developing sustainable, flexible, and environmentally responsible hydropower systems. The Forum took place at a critical moment for global climate action. At COP29, 58 nations committed to the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge, setting the ambitious target of deploying 1,500 GW of energy storage, doubling grid investments, and expanding 25 million km of new grid infrastructure by 2030. Hydropower—and particularly pumped storage, which already accounts for around 90% of global long-duration energy storage—will play a decisive role in making these targets a reality. Despite its proven value and relatively small environmental footprint, pumped storage remains largely unknown to the public. The IFPSH gathered Heads of State, Ministers, CEOs, financial institutions, intergovernmental organisations, and industry leaders to raise awareness and agree on the policies and practices needed to unlock new development.
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ETIP HYDROPOWER Becomes Supporting Partner of the Paris Pledge on Pumped Storage Hydropower
ETIP HYDROPOWER has signed the Paris Pledge on Pumped Storage Hydropower by IHA and Eurelectric, becoming an official supporting partner of this important initiative presented at the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower in Paris on the 9th of September 2025. The Paris Pledge acknowledges the urgent and growing need for long-duration electricity storage to ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy system in Europe. As variable renewable energy sources are projected to reach 86% of Europe’s generation capacity by 2050, the demand for flexibility will increase sevenfold, exceeding 2,000 TWh annually compared to 310 TWh today. Pumped storage hydropower (PSH), which already represents over 90% of global electricity storage capacity, is identified in the pledge as the most important, scalable, and cost-effective long-duration storage solution available today. Expanding Europe’s PSH capacity is described as essential to:
By supporting the pledge, ETIP HYDROPOWER reinforces its role in advancing evidence-based knowledge, innovation, and dialogue to accelerate the deployment of pumped storage hydropower in Europe. “In his Research and Innovation Agenda as well as in the Strategic Industry Roadmap, ETIP HYDROPOWER has identified pumped storage hydropower as a vital contribution to the safe energy transition in Europe.” -Anton Schleiss. You can read the full pledge here
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