Hydropower
Hydropower isn’t just about electricity. It’s about flexibility. It stabilizes grids. It supports wind and solar. It even enables green hydrogen production. As the world searches for efficient routes to reach net zero, hydropower is the wildcard.
Complete solutions
Aker Solutions delivers hydropower technologies for new plants and modernisation of exisiting facilities. We combine 150 years of engineering heritage with modern Francis, Pelton and Hymatek technology. Our mission? To help utilities and developers get the most energy from every drop of water.
Why hydropower matters now
Europe’s hydropower plants are aging. Most are over 40 years old. With technology upgrades and digitalization, we could unlock up to 15% more capacity and add 7–10 TWh of clean energy by 2030, and provide power for millions of homes.
Hydropower is also key to balancing intermittent renewables, providing intraday flexibility that’s essential for a net-zero future.
Legacy of innovation
Our reputation in hydropower was forged long ago with Kværner. It was built through GE, augmented with Rainpower advanced turbine and control technology. Today, hydropower is a vital component of Aker Solutions' commitment to supporting energy transition.
From concept to commissioning, from design to long-term service, we deliver solutions trusted worldwide.
Turbines and control systems for modern hydropower
We supply Francis, Pelton and reversible pump turbines, controls and automation for optimisation and efficiency, and balance of plant systems.
KværnerTM turbines and HymatecTM controls combined with automation deliver proven reliability and design innovation.
- STORM™ – Francis turbine for heads of 20–300 m.
- HURRICANE™ – Francis turbine for heads of 300–700 m.
- BLIZZARD™ – Pelton turbine for heads of 100–2000 m.
- TORNADO™ – Reversible pump turbine for heads of 10–700 m.
- HYDROTROL™ – Turbine governor
- MAGNOSTAT™ – Excitation system
- HYMACON™ – Control system
- CONNEXI™ – Our proprietary platform that integrates process data and optimizes plant performance for flexibility and efficiency
- Main inlet valves (butterfly and spherical)
- Inlet pipes and pressure shafts
- Mechanical equipment for balance of plant
Reversible pump turbines for increased flexibility
Modern energy systems need flexibility. Wind and solar are clean, but they’re unpredictable. When the sun shines and the wind blows, power surges. When they don’t, the grid needs backup. That’s where reversible pump turbines come in.
They turn hydropower plants into giant batteries. When electricity is cheap and plentiful, the turbine runs in reverse, pumping water uphill into a reservoir. When demand spikes, water flows back down, and the turbine switches to generation mode.
This technology provides:
- Energy storage at scale – far beyond what batteries can offer
- Grid stability – balancing frequency and voltage in real time
- Cost efficiency – proven, long-duration storage with lower lifecycle costs
Upgrading existing plants with reversible pump turbines unlocks new flexibility without building new dams. It’s a smart way to modernize hydropower for the energy transition.
Ask us about TORNADO™ reversible pump turbines.
The Tranby advantage
Our 4,000 m² hydropower hub at Tranby, Norway, is a modern workshop with state of the art equipment for hydropower service. Here, we machine and refurbish turbine runners, valves, and large components with precision and speed.
Passionate about hydropower
Our employees are essential for modernizing the hydropower industry. Engineers, site service personnel to project specialists. Our people bring deep technical knowledge driven by a passion for hydropower.
Success stories
We’ve delivered hydropower solutions from Norway to the mountains of South America.
- Løkjelsvatn, Norway – 65 MW Francis turbine, commissioned 2024
- Åmela, Norway – Control system upgrade, completed 2023
- Curillinque, Chile – Francis turbine upgrade for improved flexibility, 2023
Each project reflects our focus on quality, efficiency, and long-term partnership.
Building on our hydropower legacy
Aker Solutions hydropower technology is installed in plants all over the world. Ongoing investment in technology and innovation keeps us at the forefront of performance, reliability and sustainability.
Related news
Hydropower, the forgotten clean electricity giant
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