D-HYDROFLEX #5 webinar, “Smart Grids & Hydrogen Integration”, took place on 1 July 2026, bringing together experts from the D-HYDROFLEX and SINNOGENES projects to explore how smart energy management, advanced decision-support tools and hydrogen technologies can increase the flexibility and efficiency of renewable energy systems.
The session opened with Sergio Rodríguez Carro from CARTIF, who presented the Smart Decision Support Tool for Hybrid Hydropower Plants developed within D-HYDROFLEX. The presentation highlighted the potential of hydropower plants to act as strategic nodes in hybrid energy systems by combining hydropower generation with solar energy and hydrogen production and storage. Green hydrogen can provide long-duration energy storage and support the integration of variable renewable energy sources, while hydropower contributes flexibility and stability to the electricity system. The tool combines information such as available water flow, renewable-energy availability, electricity prices, hydrogen storage levels and forecasted demand to determine the most suitable operating strategy. Its optimisation module can decide on an hourly basis whether energy should be supplied to the grid, used to produce and store hydrogen, or recovered from hydrogen through a fuel cell. The tool considers operational and environmental constraints, including ecological flows, equipment ramp rates, hydrogen storage capacity and grid curtailment, while aiming to improve economic performance and system efficiency. The presentation demonstrated how forecasting and optimisation can support efficient management of hybrid hydropower systems and make better use of renewable-energy surpluses.
The second presentation, delivered by Eduardo Rodríguez Fernández-Arroyo from ITG Technology Centre, focused on the AI-driven Hydrogen Decision Support Model. The tool addresses a key operational question for hybrid hydropower plants: when is it more advantageous to sell electricity to the grid and when should the available electricity be converted into green hydrogen? The model combines operational forecasting, machine learning and techno-economic optimisation to support this decision dynamically. A digital twin and machine-learning models are used to forecast turbine flow, electricity production and water levels over a 24-hour horizon. This information is combined with market conditions to identify profitable periods for hydrogen production. The approach creates a “virtual battery” effect, where economic value can be shifted by converting electricity into hydrogen during periods of low electricity prices and using the stored energy value when market conditions are more favourable.
The webinar also welcomed Ana García from the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation, who presented the SINNOGENES project and its Huesca Demo Site at Walqa Technology Park. SINNOGENES develops innovative energy-storage solutions and demonstrates them across six European sites. The Huesca pilot integrates photovoltaic and wind generation with hydrogen infrastructure, digital controllers and an existing supervisory control and data acquisition system. The presentation showcased the SINNOGREENS Energy Management System, which uses historical and real-time information to predict electricity prices, photovoltaic production, energy availability and electricity and hydrogen demand up to three days ahead. An optimisation engine then supports real-time management of loads, hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and electrolyser operation, helping reduce costs and emissions while improving system efficiency.
The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, giving participants the opportunity to discuss the role of hydrogen in future energy systems, hybridisation of hydropower, intelligent energy management and the economic and technical challenges of integrating renewable generation and storage.
💡 Key Takeaways 💡
• Hybridisation can increase the flexibility of hydropower plants and support the integration of variable renewable energy sources.
• Green hydrogen can provide long-duration energy storage and create additional options for managing renewable-energy surpluses.
• Forecasting and optimisation tools can determine when electricity should be sold, stored as hydrogen or converted back into electricity.
• Artificial intelligence and digital twins can support predictive and market-responsive operation of hybrid hydropower systems.
• Integrated energy management systems can coordinate renewable generation, hydrogen production, storage and demand to reduce costs and emissions.
• Real-life demonstrations such as the SINNOGENES Huesca pilot are essential for validating the integration of renewable energy, digital control and hydrogen technologies.
Stay tuned for more insights from D-HYDROFLEX as we continue to explore innovative solutions supporting the digital, flexible and sustainable future of hydropower.
If you missed the session, you can watch the recording and check the presentations for more details.
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