Emerging Reliability Challenges of Spillway Discharging Systems in Aging Hydroelectric Dams

Factors such as asset aging, climate change affecting hydrological events, and the growing demand in electricity are placing huge pressure on hydroelectric infrastructure—in particular, hydroelectric dams, whose most important and critical component is the spillway, which operates through a system of discharge gates. This research aims to present the technical, environmental, and functional parameters and issues affecting this system, highlighting the causes of their degradation and proposing solutions to improve their service life and their reliability. A literature review has been undertaken to identify the challenges related to the reliability and durability of the system. In addition, a case study based on real-world data was made to support and reveal the problems related to the spillway gates system. What sets this research apart is its integration of theoretical studies with a practical case study, supporting the proposed theories and uncovering potential hidden factors. Following the identification of key challenges, new updated and adaptable solutions explored world-widely are recommended to be developed in future research.