8. Conclusion

The various sections of this article have shown the technological peculiarities of PCHs, as well as their mode of operation, which sets them apart from large-scale plants. Hydropeaking or run-of-river hydropower is also a specific feature of these plants. The electromechanical converters and associated turbines remain sufficiently efficient with reasonably varying heads or flows to avoid the need for complex static variable-speed energy conversion devices. They have been designed for reliability and achieve very high efficiencies (>95%).

Finally, thanks to similarity relationships, PCHs benefit from the advances made in the design of large hydraulic machines, as well as current control and command resources: PLCs and programmable relays that facilitate their operation and optimize their energy efficiency.