UNIFYING THE VOICES OF HYDROPOWER

HYDROPOWER DAY: The added value of the hydropower sector as a catalyst and enabler in the clean and safe energy transition under the energy crisis

The BRUSSELS HYDROPOWER DAY 2023 will take place next 25 April 2023. It aims to provide a platform for decision makers in the European Commission and Parliament, who are working on relevant policy files concerning hydropower. The purpose is to discuss opportunities and barriers affecting hydropower deployment in the framework of the energy transition within the energy crisis and the market as well as regulation conditions.

Why attend?

Find out more about the added value of hydropower and energy storage in the energy transition, within the energy crisis and regulation conditions
Learn about best practice in hydropower deployment with examples of market design, flexibility and biodiversity requirements
Join the discussion about cooperation with other ETIPs/sectors within the SET Plan on approaches to ensure energy system integration and a flexible safe energy supply.
Be informed about the next steps of ETIP HYDROPOWER towards “Unifying the voices of hydropower in Europe”.

Agenda:

08:30 – 09:15: Registration
09:15 – 9:30: Welcome and opening

Speaker: Hélène Chraye, Head of Unit, DG RTD

09:30 – 10:10: Keynote speeches: Hydropower in Europe and worldwide

09:30 – 09:50: Keynote 1: The potential for hydropower in the context of current EU policies

Speaker: Mathilde Lallemand-Dupuy, Policy Officer, European Commission, DG ENER

09:50 – 10:10: Keynote 2: The important role of hydropower development in the European safe energy transition

Speaker: Raquel Marques Mendes, Head of European Affairs at EDP

10:10 – 10:30: Coffee break

10:30 – 12:00: Session 1: The added value of hydropower and energy storage in the energy transition and within the energy crisis

10:30 – 10:45: Presentation 1: The importance of flexibility contribution of hydropower

Speaker: Ghislain Weisrock, Special Advisor for European Affairs and Power System, France Hydro Electricité

10:45 – 11:00: Presentation 2: The benefits of hydropower for local communities: A case study

Speaker: Sera Lazaridou, Senior Partner, Hydroexigiantiki Consulting Engineers Greece

11:00 – 11:15: Presentation 3: Fifteen new storage increase projects in Switzerland negotiated at the roundtable with civil society

Speaker: Peter Lustenberger, Senior Expert Asset Management, Hydroenergie & Biomasse, AXPO Power Switzerland

11:15 – 12:00: Open Panel discussion: Keynote speakers and session 1 speakers are invited to the panel.

12:00 – 13:15: Lunch Break

13:15 – 14:45: Session 2: Best practice examples to tackle economic, environmental and societal challenges with hydropower

13:15 – 13:30: Presentation 1: Best practice example on Market design

Speaker: Maryse Francois, CEO, MFX Consulting

13:30 – 13:45: Presentation 2: Do we know how fish want to swim at hydropower plants?

Speaker: Jeffrey Tuhtan, Associate Professor of Environmental Sensing Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology

13:45 – 14:00: Presentation 3: Hydropower Sustainability Standard for hydropower development

Speaker: Eddie Rich, CEO, IHA

14:00 – 14:45: Open Panel Discussion with the audience,:

• Diar Isid, Policy Officer, European Commission, DG ENV
• Olivier Tricca, Power Engineer, European Investment Bank
• Benjamin Graff, Open Innovation Manager, CNR

14:45 – 15:00: Coffee break

15:00 – 16:00: Session 3: Synergies and collaboration with ETIP’s and EERA for integrated use of renewables in view of safe electricity supply

15:00 – 15:15 Short statement of initiatives and project examples:

- - - - Presenting ASPIRE, the Alliance of Secure, indigenous & Predictable Renewable Electricity

Statement: Donagh Cagney, Policy Director, Ocean Europe

- - - - Hydropower as a catalyst and facilitator for the clean, safe and independent energy transition in Europe (HYDROPOWER EUROPE, IHA, IEA Hydropower and EERA Hydro; recommendations for the SET Plan revision)

Statement: Liv Randi Hultgreen, Executive Director, FME HydroCen – NTNU

- - - - Concrete actions to contribute to the revision of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan from the ETIPs’ perspective (ETIP Forum)

Statement: Maria Laura Trifiletti, Project Manager, ZABALA

- - - - XFLEX Hydro project: Integration of hydropower and batteries

Statement: Jean-Louis Drommi, Electricity Expert, EDF

15:15 – 16:00: Open Panel Discussion with the audience, speakers and guest panelist: Thomas Schleker, Policy Officer, European Commission, DG RTD

16:00 – 16:15: ETIP Hydropower ’Unifying the voices of hydropower in Europe’ the next steps

16:15 – 16:30: Final conclusions and outlook

REGISTRATION : https://etip-hydropower.eu/events/hydropower-day/

Installed hydropower capacity is expected to more than double worldwide by 2050, according to a new IRENA report

"Hydropower has been an effective source of clean energy generation for more than a century," said IRENA Director General Francesco La Camera, adding, however, that "with the rapidly changing energy landscape, it is important to reassess its future role and take advantage of recent technological advances that can maximize its potential, while ensuring its sustainability and climate resilience."

Multipurpose projects for the sustainable future of hydropower

Hydropower is a renewable energy source that, due to its flexibility, it is a privileged position to be a key enabler of the energy transition in Europe. What is more, the current energy crisis added to the climate emergency, evidences the need to decarbonise, and that, can only be done through the massive deployment of renewable energies.

Globally, hydropower accounted for the 60% of all renewable electricity generation in 2020, and it still could double its capacity. In fact, that is the trend that the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Hydropower Association (IHA) foresee by 2050.

REPORT: Hydropower and Pumped Hydropower Storage in the European Union

Hydropower is one of the oldest energy technologies that dates thousands of years ago and that lasts until today. It is the largest renewable technology with 1,360 GW of installed capacity around the world. In addition, as a flexible energy source allows the integration of other sources such as wind and solar power, ensuring grid stability. For this reason, hydropower is well-suited to play a key role in the European decarbonisation that will lead to the consecution of the renewable energy targets set by the European Commission in the Renewable Energy Directive.

The value of flexibility in hydropower: factsheets by IEA

Globally, hydropower accounts for 60% of all renewable electricity generation in 2020, making it the main source of renewable energy in the electricity industry. The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Hydropower Association (IHA) expect that hydropower generation and installed capacity double by 2050.

Re-watch the webinar: Unifying the voices of hydropower in Europe

Last 25 January 2023, ETIP HYDROPOWER organiser an explainatory webinar attended by more than 110 participants (reaching 130) where ETIP HYDROPOWER was explained in detail. To finalise, a roundtable discussion was held where the following question was addressed: "What form of sustainable organisation representing the hydropower sector is required to ensure the vital role of hydropower in the energy transition sector?". Watch the different slots of the session by clicking on the links below: