The Bratia Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) demo is showcasing how digital technologies can transform traditional hydropower infrastructure into a flexible, secure, and sustainable pillar of Europe’s energy transition. Located in Bratia, Argeș County, in Romania, and led by INTEX PRIM GREEN ENERGY SRL (INTEX) together with ASOCIATIA INOVARE SI DEZVOLTARE IN ENERGIE (IDEA), the demo highlights how innovation can strengthen the role of small-scale hydropower in Europe’s green future.
The main goals of the Bratia demo include enabling fault detection and predictive maintenance through advanced data analytics, improving energy production forecasting based on both operational and external data, and hybridizing hydropower to connect with other renewable energy sources via local smart grids and virtual power plants (VPPs).
The project addresses major challenges such as limited flexibility for integration with renewable energy systems, smart grids, and VPPs; the need for improved predictive maintenance to reduce operational costs; and the development of new market strategies for increased competitiveness.
To overcome these barriers, the Bratia team has developed and implemented a SCADA system update for real-time data connection with D-HYDROFLEX service developers, ensuring full support during the validation phase. Furthermore, the team has defined and implemented solutions for fault detection, predictive maintenance, and energy production forecasting—enhancing the overall operation and maintenance (O&M) strategy already in place.
For more information, read the full press release.
