Renewable energy is the future. However, the reliance on weather-dependent sources like wind and solar necessitates robust energy storage solutions for a consistent power supply to the grid. While pumped hydro-systems have been used worldwide to provide large scale energy storage, their application in low-lying regions has been hampered by the absence of efficient low-head turbine technology.
ALPHEUS, a European Horizon 2020 project, is a game changer. ALPHEUS is developing highly efficient pump-turbine devices tailored for low heads (10-20m) in connection with a Power Take Off and Grid Integrator This innovation unlocks the potential for pumped hydro storage in low-lying areas, offering a highly competitive alternative for batteries or nitrogen-based solutions.
With a panel of international experts, the next steps for the construction of a large ALPHEUS dam in the North Sea with 2 GW capacity will be reviewed.
This online event will take place at 2pm (CET), on 14 March 2024.
Stuart Reigeluth is the founder of REVOLVE (2010) – a communication group fostering cultures of sustainability. He is a co-initiator of the AMWAJ Alliance for valuing water ecosystems around the Mediterranean, and
he is a co-founder of the global Cities4Forests network. He has an MBA from Solvay-Ponts (2015) and a MA from CAMES at the American University of Beirut (2005).
Bettina Geisseler is a lawyer and founder of GEISSELER LAW, a law firm specialised in contract law regarding the construction and erection of major infrastructure projects, such as (hydro and other ) power plants,
dams or tunnels worldwide. She is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Société Hydrotechnique de France (SHF) and a member of the ITA (International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association) Working Group on an Underground
Infrastructure Sustainability Indexing tool.
Peter Hoffmann has worked in various positions for more than 30 years in the energy business. Till 2023 he was the Director for Energy System Planning at TenneT, one of the leading TSOs in Europe. In that position
he was involved in the development of the Northsea PowerHubs, analysing artificial islands as the basis for sector coupling purposes. With his long-lasting experience particularly in System Operations, he advises ALPHEUS in potential ancillary
services to be offered by the developed hydraulic plants. Today Peter Hoffmann is Managing Director of HoPe Energy Consulting GmbH and supports NEOM in KSA to build up System Operations on green field (or better sand).
Ann Overmeire is the COO of Blue Cluster, a Belgium-based cluster focused on a sustainable blue economy with over 180 industry members and 17 publicly funded partners. Blue Cluster is recognised as a spearhead
cluster by the Flemish government and has a dedicated budget for innovation projects. Ann engages with the members and stakeholders and is responsible for the networking agenda as well as the international projects. She assists the CEO in the
daily management of the cluster organisation.
Jeremy Bricker is an Associate Professor of Civil/Hydraulic Engineering at the Delft University of Technology and at the University of Michigan and a licensed Professional Engineer in California and Washington. His
experience encompasses design and failure analysis of coastal and hydraulic structures subject to tsunamis, hurricanes, and floods. As the scientific coordinator of ALPHEUS, he works to tie together the multiple disciplines involved in the
project.
