| Hydraulic machinery


Hydropower’s efficiency shift


As power systems demand greater flexibility and reliability, hydropower


operators are rethinking how existing assets perform. Lars Meier, Global Head of Sales & Tendering at Voith Hydro, explains where the industry’s biggest untapped efficiency gains lie – from turbine modernisation and variable-speed technology to predictive maintenance and AI-supported optimisation


and what made it so effective? Recent developments in Francis turbine design that allow


significantly extended part load operation down to zero have delivered clear improvements, especially in systems requiring flexible operation. In pumped storage, variable-speed pump turbines have shown substantial efficiency gains in generation mode, combined with improved pumping characteristics across a broad power regulation bandwidth. These innovations respond directly to the increasing demand for flexibility in modern power systems.


What trade-offs, constraints, or unintended consequences are often overlooked when pursuing higher


Lars Meier, Global Head of Sales & Tendering, Voith Hydro


WITH MUCH OF THE GLOBAL hydropower fleet now operating under grid conditions very different from those envisaged at commissioning, plant owners are increasingly focused on extracting greater flexibility, efficiency and reliability from existing assets. Turbine modernisation, advanced hydraulic design and digital performance monitoring are becoming central to lifecycle strategies, particularly as operators respond to more variable generation profiles and growing balancing requirements. In this Q&A, Lars Meier, Global Head of Sales & Tendering at Voith Hydro, discusses how evolving turbine technologies, predictive maintenance and AI-driven optimisation are reshaping hydropower performance across both conventional and pumped storage plants.


Where do you see the biggest untapped efficiency gains in today’s installed


hydropower fleet? Significant efficiency gains in the existing hydropower fleet can be achieved through turbine modernisation, particularly by replacing runners. Many plants are operated today under conditions that differ from their original design assumptions, such as altered head levels, changed flow regimes or increased part-load operation. Updating the hydraulic design to reflect current operating profiles allows for noticeable performance improvements across a wider operating range.


Which turbine or digital innovation has delivered real-world efficiency improvement in the past five years,


turbine efficiency? Higher turbine efficiency involves technical and economic considerations that depend on the project scope. This may include the use of additional or different materials, extended development efforts such as model testing, or a broader scope in modernisation projects. Efficiency measures also need to be assessed at overall plant level, including the interaction between electro- mechanical equipment and civil works, for example where structural adaptations or excavation are required. When evaluated across the plant and over the asset lifecycle, such measures often support more efficient and cost-effective operation, provided they are considered comprehensively at an early stage.


How are digital tools changing the way


turbine performance is optimised? Digital tools are increasingly focused on maintaining turbine performance through predictive approaches. Continuous monitoring and data analytics enable early detection of deviations and support condition-based maintenance strategies. By reducing the likelihood of unplanned outages, these solutions help sustain efficient operation over the full lifecycle.


What emerging technologies or design approaches have the greatest potential


to unlock additional capacity? Artificial intelligence shows strong potential in both plant operation and development. In operation, AI can support optimised dispatch by combining forecasts for water inflow, electricity price development and maintenance planning, including predictive maintenance and spare-parts strategies. Over the longer term, AI based development and optimisation tools are expected to support more refined turbine and system designs.


www.waterpowermagazine.com | June 2026 | 33


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45