Anton Schleiss from the ETIP HYDROPOWER Management Team was invited to chair the Session 1 on Hydro Planning and Potential. He presented an introductory talk entitled “Importance of reliable hydropower as a catalyst and enabler for the clean and safe energy transition in Europe”. The talk addressed in detail the purpose, activities and outcomes of the ETIP HYDROPOWER project. The summary of the outcomes of the session will be published in Journal on Hydropower & Dams, Issue 5, 2023.

Anton Schleiss was also the co-organizer and a speaker of the Seminar on  Pumped Storage which was hold on October 15 in the framework of HYDRO 2023.

More information: https://www.hydropower-dams.com/hydro-2023/ 

A recent report confirms the European Union's (EU) position in hydropower, emphasizing its prowess in research and development (R&D), scientific research, technological innovation, and sustainable solutions. The EU hosts more than a quarter of the world's pumped-hydropower-storage capacity, solidifying its role in supporting renewable energy integration, energy storage, and grid stability.

Hydropower plays a vital part in addressing climate change and water demand, but it also poses environmental challenges, highlighting its complexity within the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem nexus.

Current EU hydropower trends focus on unlocking hidden potential in existing facilities, enhancing resilience to climate change, and incorporating digital solutions. New reservoirs are designed with versatility in mind to serve multiple purposes.

Key Points from the Report:

• Pumped-Hydropower Prowess: The EU holds over 25% of global pumped-hydropower-storage capacity, a key player in energy storage.
• Climate Resilience: Modernizing infrastructure for better climate adaptability is a priority.
• Environmental Responsibility: Sustainable practices are promoted to minimize environmental impacts.
• Multi-Use Reservoirs: New reservoirs are designed to offer multiple services.

For the full report, please visit this website.

The Hydro21 association organised the 8th edition of its Rencontres Business Hydro on 9 and 10 October 2023 in Grenoble, on the theme of the storage and flexibility of hydroelectricity, in the midst of the development and integration of intermittent renewable energies and the security of the electricity grid. This event is the business meeting place for the hydropower industry in France. Roland Lescure, Minister Delegate for Industry and Emmanuelle Verger-Chabot, Director of EDF Hydro.

This year's event attracted more than 1,500 participants, over 150 exhibitors, 6 round tables, doctoral student pitches, keynotes from leading industrial, institutional and political figures, participants from Switzerland and Italy, and disseminated the publication of the White Paper - Volume 4, including a paper on ETIP Hydropower. J-J Fry from ETIP Hydropower took part in a round table discussion on innovation and highlighted the advantages of ETIP Hydropower for developing and financing research and innovation in the hydropower sector.

Access the publication HERE.

Anton Schleiss, Jean-Jacques Fry, and Mark Morris from the ETIP HYDROPOWER Management Team contributed to the Symposium with the paper “Importance of hydropower reservoirs and dams in Europe to mitigate the energy crisis and to serve as a catalyst and enabler for the Green Deal”. Furthermore,  ETIP HYDROPOWER was presented in the technical exhibition with 4 banners.

Access the paper HERE.

CONNECT TO THE CONSULTATION PLATFORM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION PROCESS

In the realm of sustainable energy, hydropower stands as a beacon of hope, providing clean and renewable energy while mitigating environmental impacts. In the pursuit of harnessing the full potential of hydropower, the European Technology and Innovation Platform on Hydropower (ETIP HYDROPOWER) has embarked on a mission to establish a robust governance structure. Central to this structure is the Governing Board (GB), which will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the hydropower sector in Europe.

The path to constituting the Governing Board is characterized by transparency, inclusivity, and a commitment to diverse representation. Let's delve into the process and schedule for the Governing Board elections, which marks a significant milestone in the ETIP HYDROPOWER project.

Step 1: Open Call for GB Membership Applications (4th - 9th October, 2023)

The journey begins with an open call to members of the General Assembly, inviting them to apply for membership on the Governing Board. This call, issued through the ETIP HYDROPOWER platform, is a critical opportunity for passionate individuals to actively participate in shaping the hydropower landscape.

Step 2: Processing and Review of Applications (11th - 13th October, 2023)

After the submission deadline, the received applications, including CVs, will undergo meticulous processing. These applications will then be made accessible to General Assembly members for review via the ETIP HYDROPOWER platform.

Step 3: General Assembly Voting (16th - 27th October, 2023)

General Assembly members will cast their votes for their preferred Governing Board candidates. This process will take place entirely online through the ETIP HYDROPOWER Consultation Platform.

Step 4: Announcement of Election Results (1st - 3rd November, 2023)

Following the conclusion of the voting period, the election results will be officially announced. This pivotal moment will unveil the dedicated individuals who will take on the responsibility of steering the ETIP HYDROPOWER project forward as members of the Governing Board.

Call for Governing Board Candidates

The ETIP HYDROPOWER initiative aims to unite stakeholders from various sectors—industry, academia, research, civil society, and sectorial associations—in a robust network prepared to address the challenges facing the hydropower sector. This network will harmonize and coordinate research and innovation strategies to offer consensus-based strategic advice to the SET Plan. This advice will encompass market analysis, research and development funding needs, biodiversity protection, and ecological continuity.

The Governing Board aspires to represent a balanced view, with operators, industry representatives, and research communities forming its core. To achieve this equilibrium, the Governing Board will consist of 17-25 members distributed across seven stakeholder categories, each designed to ensure representation of the entire hydropower sector. These categories encompass:

• Hydropower industry and technology (4 seats)
• Operators/owners of large hydropower plants and pumped storage power plants (4 seats)
• Independent operators/owners of small hydropower plants (< 10 MW) (1 seat)
• Design, planning, and project development (2 seats)
• Finance, business, and insurance (1 seat)
• Research, innovation, and development (3 seats)
• Environment and civil society (2 seats)
  To facilitate diversity in geographical representation and gender balance within the Governing Board, a two-step election process is employed.

Election Process Overview

Election of the Maximum of 17 Seats: In this phase, all submitted applications are considered, and General Assembly organizations vote for candidates within each stakeholder category to fill the initial 17 seats.
Selection Process for Up to 8 Additional Seats: After the initial election, the diversity of the elected 17 seats is reviewed and discussed with the European Commission. If deemed necessary, 5-8 additional seats are allocated to enhance diversity. These seats are selected from non-elected candidates from the first phase, primarily focusing on increasing geographical, gender, and company size diversity.
It's worth noting that the results of the 17 elected seats and the 5-8 selected seats will not be differentiated in public announcements. The Governing Board also comprises representatives from Working Groups, the Scientific Advisory Board, and the Member States Liaison Group.

As for voting, organizations, not individual professionals, hold voting rights. The number of votes an organization has depends on its size:

• < 10 employees/members (=micro enterprise): 1 vote
• 10 to 249 employees/members (=SME): 2 votes
• 250 to 4999 employees/members (=intermediate enterprise): 3 votes
• 5000 employees/members (=large enterprise): 4 votes
• All individuals registered with the Consultation Platform have the privilege to vote. Adjustments in the weight of votes will be made to comply with the allocations mentioned above, reflecting individual affiliations.

For any inquiries or clarifications regarding the election process, stakeholders are encouraged to reach out via info@etip-hydropower.eu . This transparent and inclusive process ensures that the Governing Board of ETIP HYDROPOWER represents the diverse voices and expertise essential for propelling the hydropower sector towards a sustainable and innovative future.

 More information on our consultation platform: https://hydro-consultation.eu/governing-board-elections/ 

The world has united under the banner of the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), a coalition of over 40 nations and influential organizations, to expedite the transition from conventional to renewable energy sources. Leaders and experts have come together, driven by a shared commitment to combat environmental challenges through collaborative action. 

The inaugural GRA summit in Geneva, Switzerland, was a showcase of commitment from member nations. The President of the host country passionately articulated the alliance's potential to guide the world towards a more sustainable future. Renewable energy technologies, encompassing solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass solutions, lie at the heart of the GRA's mission. Member countries have committed to individual and shared goals, including ramping up the proportion of renewables in their energy mix, bolstering investments in clean technology research, and cultivating international partnerships to exchange successful strategies.

The inclusion of the International Hydroelectric Association (IHA) underscores the GRA's reach and impact. As a prominent player in the renewable energy sector, the IHA's involvement adds further impetus to the alliance's goals. This collaboration between governments, industries, and associations reinforces the GRA's comprehensive approach to driving the energy sector's transformation.

More about the Alliance: https://globalrenewablesalliance.org/

The significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions hinges on the efficient integration of renewable sources into the energy generation mix, among various other factors. Presently, hydropower stands as the predominant contributor to global renewable energy generation. However, within the European Union, an intricate challenge arises as a considerable number of hydropower plants approach the end of their operational lifespan. Concurrently, stringent environmental regulations mandate the restoration of natural water flows, necessitating the potential dismantling of these aging plants. This juncture introduces a complex dilemma, wherein the imperative for ecological restoration intersects with the potential loss of a pivotal green energy resource. In response, this study is dedicated to a comprehensive examination of the diverse supplementary roles that hydropower plants can play within the current and forthcoming decarbonized electricity framework.

In pursuit of this overarching objective, a thorough exploration has been conducted into the array of auxiliary services that hydropower plants can offer. These are, among others, the participation in secondary and tertiary regulation markets, engagement in power purchase agreements, facilitation of local energy communities, reduction of energy curtailments, establishment of renewable energy storage mechanisms, and reinforcement of grid stability through contributions to its physical inertia. By unraveling these multifaceted dimensions, this investigation aims to lay a course that brings together the dual requirements of environmental preservation and sustainable energy provision. Under the title of "Alternative Uses of Hydroelectric Power Plants in a Decarbonized Energy Scenario," this study led by CIRCE Technology Centre embarks on a journey to illuminate innovative and pragmatic pathways for a harmonious coexistence between ecological rejuvenation and the evolution of energy infrastructure.

Read the publication HERE.

Only two months for the highly anticipated 2023 World Hydropower Congress, scheduled to take place in Bali from 31 October to 2 November and organised by our partner IHA. With a mission to bridge the gap between climate ambition and actionable solutions, the Congress is expected to bring together more than 1,000 decision makers, innovators, and experts from various sectors including industry, governments, finance, civil society, and academia. This global event promises to deliver not just discussions but tangible outcomes that will shape the future of sustainable hydropower and contribute to the world's clean energy transition.

Key topics at the World Hydropower Congress 2023

The 2023 World Hydropower Congress is not merely a forum for dialogue:  As the premier platform for decision-makers both within and beyond the hydropower industry, this year's Congress is thought to yield a multitude of outcomes that will have far-reaching implications. With a focus on advancing the clean energy transition and aligning strategies to the goals of COP28, the Congress aims to establish consensus on policy and finance recommendations that will pave the way for a more sustainable energy landscape. One of its key objectives is to push forward  the growth of renewable energy, through the use of policy-driven and investment-based solutions. By showcasing how diverse renewable technologies can work in tandem to catalyse the transition away from coal, the Congress intends to amplify the call for greener energy alternatives. Additionally, the event seeks to shed light on the untapped potential of hydropower across regions, particularly in Asia and Africa, emphasizing the role of hydropower in shaping the future energy mix.

The Congress will be a platform, boasting over 200 high-level speakers from government bodies, industries, financial institutions, research organizations, and civil society. These speakers will participate in more than 30 sessions around energy matters. Some specific topics to highlight are clean energy security and flexibility, where discussions will revolve around pumped storage hydropower, innovative practices, and the synergy between various renewable sources. Climate-related themes will dive into mitigation, resilience, and adaptation strategies in the face of changing environmental dynamics. The nexus between water, energy, and food will also be tackled, with an emphasis on the multifaceted nature of hydropower's role in supporting sustainable development. Sustainability discussions will revolve around best practices and tools, with a particular focus on the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. The Congress will further unravel the intricate relationship between policy and finance, delving into hydropower's integration into net-zero strategies, streamlining licensing procedures, fostering green skills and job creation, financial mechanisms such as green bonds, and effective risk management strategies.

In conclusion, the World Hydropower Congress 2023 is expected to be a global speaker in the push for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. With its emphasis on translating climate ambitions into tangible actions, this event is set to foster international cooperation, innovation, and actionable strategies. As world leaders, experts, and decision-makers convene in Bali, the Congress is anticipated to generate a series of discussions that could lead to policy recommendations, commitments, and groundbreaking insights that will propel the hydropower industry and its renewable counterparts toward a greener, more sustainable future. Stay tuned for updates as this transformative event unfolds at the end of October!

More information and registration: https://www.worldhydropowercongress.org/

The recent failure of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine highlights the challenges faced by hydroelectric dams worldwide in 2023 due to extreme weather conditions. While the Kakhovka dam experienced historically high water levels, many other hydro facilities have suffered from depleted water levels, limiting their electricity generation potential. This has led to a decline in hydro-powered electricity generation in Asia, Europe, and North America compared to the same period in 2022.

Key hydro producers such as China, the United States, India, Vietnam, and Turkey have witnessed output falls, contributing to a global decrease of nearly 4% in hydroelectricity generation during the opening quarter of 2023, as reported by Ember. The upcoming summer season may exacerbate the situation, with hot and dry conditions expected to further reduce hydro power production potential, adding strain to global power grids already struggling to meet rising demands.

Notably, major hydro producers like Norway, Sweden, France, Turkey, and Italy have collectively experienced an 8% decline in hydro output during the first quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year. While Turkey has been heavily impacted by an extended drought, Switzerland and Austria have recorded higher output levels compared to the previous year. These fluctuations in hydroelectricity generation pose challenges for ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply in affected regions.

Hydropower faces significant challenges when confronted with extreme weather conditions and drought. High water levels, as seen in the case of the Nova Kakhovka dam failure in Ukraine, can strain infrastructure and lead to breaches. On the other hand, droughts and depleted water levels reduce the capacity for hydroelectric dams to generate electricity, impacting their output and reliability. With hot and dry conditions becoming more prevalent due to climate change, the risk of reduced hydro power production increases, exacerbating the strain on global power grids and necessitating the need for diversification and resilience in the energy sector.

Complete information by Reuters HERE