Hydropower Services

Vatnaskil has participated in a wide variety of projects relating to hydropower resource development and management, and specialize in the construction of watershed-scale models to provide reliable assessments of historic and near-future reservoir inflows. With robust numerical modeling, Vatnaskil can simulate surface runoff processes as well as groundwater flow within watersheds utilized for hydropower production. This includes watersheds with intricacies of glaciated land as well as complex terrain and volcanic surface geology, commonly found in Iceland. These conditions require a physically sound modeling approach.

Utilization of the models includes the production of long-term inflow series to hydropower reservoirs based on historical weather input as well as modified input to account for expected climate change effects.  Furthermore, Vatnaskil has produced operational short-term forecasts (1-2 weeks) of reservoir inflows based on weather forecasts.  These applications allow power companies to upgrade present hydropower plants, plan for new plants, negotiate energy supply contracts given long-term outlook on the resource and manage short-term operations of the plants as well as the entire power system.

For over 35 years, Vatnaskil has provided specialized consultation to public utilities and private developers for hydropower projects in Iceland and abroad. Our specialists utilize state-of-the-art numerical models with built-in flexibility to represent a broad range of natural watershed conditions. Modeling services are tailored to the specific needs of the client within the field of hydropower resource development and management, including feasibility studies, conceptual design, environmental assessment, operational management and system-wide control.

Services include