UNIFYING THE VOICES OF HYDROPOWER

Denis Aelbrecht and Anton J. Schleiss Honored Among the 75 Most Influential People in Hydropower

The "75 Most Influential People in Hydropower" list has been released by International Water Power & Dam Construction. This list recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to hydropower development, and from ETIP HYDROPOWER we want to acknowledge the work of all those featured on the list.

The list includes Denis Aelbrecht, Head of Technology at EDF Hydro Engineering Center, whose leadership roles within the Comité Français des Barrages et Réservoirs (CFBR) and as Chair of the ETIP HYDROPOWER Governing Board demonstrate his impact on the industry.

Anton J. Schleiss, with his extensive career in hydraulic engineering and dam construction, is also recognized. His role as the technical coordinator of ETIP HYDROPOWER highlights his continued involvement in the hydropower sector.

The individuals featured on this list represent the collaborative and innovative spirit that drives the hydropower industry. Their work contributes to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions and resilience.

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#Hydropower #Innovation #Sustainability #ETIPHYDROPOWER #HydropowerExcellence

Thank You to Over 100 Participants for Joining Our Webinar!

ETIP HYDROPOWER hosted a webinar, "Boosting Hydropower with Good Practices for Research," showcasing advancements in the hydropower field. The event brought together key players and highlighted promising initiatives leveraging digital solutions to enhance hydropower efficiency and sustainability.

Emanuele Quaranta from the European Commission provided an overview of current hydropower research activities, mentioning that the European Union allocates an average of €10 million annually to EU-based hydropower projects. Therefore, Anton Schleiss emphasized ETIP HYDROPOWER's role in unifying the sector and presenting a single voice on key issues.

The webinar featured presentations from three key projects focused on digitalization within the hydropower sector:

  • D-HYDROFLEX: Presented by Katerina Drivakou, this project aims to improve sustainability performance and flexibility of hydropower assets using IoT, digital twin technologies, AI-based techniques, and novel sensor-based modeling. The project also focuses on reducing the impact on fish migratory species and enhancing cybersecurity.
  • Di-Hydro: Presented by Alkiviadis Tromaras, this project focuses on the digitalization of operations and maintenance for hydropower plants. It includes real-time system management, remote monitoring, AI-based techniques, and advanced sensors to improve efficiency and sustainability.
  • iAMP-Hydro: Presented by Aonghus McNabola, this project co-develops and validates novel condition monitoring and predictive maintenance solutions, advanced sensors for biodiversity monitoring, and enhanced weather and flow forecasting models. It aims to improve the ecological and socio-economic sustainability of existing plants.

These initiatives represent significant steps forward in unlocking hydropower's full potential as a clean and reliable renewable energy source for the EU. By harnessing digital technologies, these projects aim to propel efficiency, optimize resource utilization, and pave the way for a sustainable energy future for Europe.

Thank you to our amazing community and stay updated with more exciting developments coming soon!

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Speaker slides: ETIP HYDROPOWER, Emanuele Quaranta (EC), Katerina Drivakou, Alkiviadis Tromaras, Aonghus McNabola

Webinar recording here

#Hydropower #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #Innovation #CleanEnergy #GreenTech #ClimateAction #EUFunding #EnergyTransition #WaterPower

ICOLD European Club Establishes

In an effort to highlight the vital role of dams and reservoirs in Europe's economic, social, and environmental landscape, the ICOLD European Club has inaugurated the inaugural "Dam Day - Reservoirs for Europe" celebrations. This initiative, supported by members of the ICOLD European National Committee, aims to underscore the myriad benefits of dams and reservoirs while fostering greater public understanding and appreciation.

Scheduled to take place for a period before and after May 29th, designated as the official Dam Day this year's celebrations mark the commencement of an annual tradition. Set to debut on May 29th, 2024, "Dam Day - Reservoirs for Europe" seeks to honor the significant contributions of dams and reservoirs to the sustainable development and prosperity of European nations.

The concept of "Dam Day" was conceived and championed by EurCOLD (European Club of the International Commission on Large Dams – ICOLD), following a proposal by the Italian Committee on Large Dams in June 2023. Its establishment in March 2024 reflects a collective commitment to raising public awareness about the positive impact of dams and reservoirs on social, economic, and environmental fronts.