PILOT

Louros, Greece (PPC)

Toward a Flexible and Socio-Environmentally Friendly Hydropower Plant

ΔΕΗ Ανανεώσιμες Μ.Α.Ε. | PPC RENEWABLES S.M.S.A.

Technical information

Operating company: PPC Renewables
Type: Run-of-river with intake tunnel
Installed capacity: 8.7 MW
Annual generation: ~46 GWh
Commissioning: 1954 (renovated 2018–2020)
Infrastructure: Dam, SHPP with 1.5 km intake tunnel, penstock (2.4–2.7 m diameter), surge shaft
Grid connection: HEDNO

River and basin context

Information coming soon.

Challenges

Technical – Frequent curtailments limit the plant’s ability to participate in energy markets and provide balancing services. The run-of-river configuration offers little storage capacity, reducing operational flexibility and making it difficult to respond to grid signals.

Environmental – Ecological flow provisions need attention. Sediment transport is a concern, affecting downstream habitats. Biodiversity connectivity along the river corridor could be improved, particularly for fish migration and riparian species.

Societal – The pilot involves several local and institutional stakeholders with an interest in the sustainable management of the Louros River and the operation of the SHP. Keeping them informed and involved supports transparency, cooperation and stakeholder involvement in decision-making. Among them, the GRNET Data Centre is a key stakeholder. It is a nearby public-sector facility supported by the Louros project in relation to its cooling-water supply and electricity costs. It has direct interest in reliable water and energy availability.

Our approach

Upgrades of hardware and software upgrades to turn the intake tunnel into a temporary storage buffer, enabling faster ramping and more agile operations. Battery Energy Storage System to increase balancing capacity and support the integration of variable renewable energy.

Deployment of underwater sensors and water quality monitoring stations to track ecological conditions in real time. Fish passages and sediment management systems to improve biodiversity connectivity and reduce the impact of sediment transport on downstream habitats.

Participatory activities with the local authorities and to co-design ecological and operational measures. Transparent governance and inclusive decision-making process to rebuild trust, ensuring that local voices are heard and that the plant operates in a way that reflects community values.