From October 7th to 9th, the ETIP Hydropower Secretariat held its annual meeting in the French Alps. The sessions aimed to discuss actions that highlight the importance of sustainable energy solutions and reinforce the role of hydropower in the energy transition. Members exchanged insights in a professional environment, focusing on the technical achievements and future direction of the project.

During the meeting, ETIP members explored the next steps for the project, reviewed work packages, addressed challenges and opportunities for a financially sustainable ETIP, and define the architecture of the 2025 Hydropower Day. This annual event is scheduled to take place in Brussels on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Save the date! 

The 2025 Hydro Day will focus on hydropower's contribution to energy transition, with three sessions planned:

• Session 1: The value of hydropower in providing flexibility and energy storage in a safe energy transition.
• Session 2: Hydropower and environmental partnerships.
• Session 3: Hydropower and climate change: challenges and opportunities for mitigation.

The meeting not only offered the consortium an opportunity to convene, exchange ideas, and discuss the latest developments in hydropower, but also included a site visit to the historic Bioge-Jotty hydropower plant.

Photo 1: ETIP secretariat visiting the Bioge Hydropower Plant (Iraia Nuñez, Matteo Bianciotto, Federico Spadaro, Anton Schleiss, Janire Garcia, Andrej Misech, Mark Morris, Tasniem Jawaid, Lee William Estrellado, and Jean-Jacques Fry).

The visit was managed by EDF, with a presentation of the hydropower scheme by Sebastien Girardier (Photo 2). The Jotty Hydropower Plant (Photo 3), located in the Haute-Savoie region of France, sits in the scenic Vallée d’Aulps, just above the renowned Gorges du Pont du Diable. The plant, which is situated on the Dranse de Morzine river, plays a significant role in the local energy infrastructure. It generates 98 million kWh of electricity annually using four turbines, powered by the Lac du Jotty reservoir—a 1.1 hm³, 1.5 km-long body of water formed by the Jotty arch dam.

Photo 2: The hydro scheme of La Bioge HPP                                                                                                Photo 3: The Jotty arch dam Courtesy Photo Yvan Tisseyre-OT Vallée d’Aulps

During the visit, Samuel Hubert from Hydrostadium provided an introduction to the Jotty dam, which was constructed between 1946 and 1949. The arch dam stands 22.5 meters high and spans 120 meters in length. In 2015, the dam faced a major challenge when a flood with a 200-year return period eroded the banks, uprooted trees, and caused a dense blockage in front of the dam’s bottom gate and gallery (Photo 4).

Restoring normal operations required several years of work and innovative solutions. A remote-controlled bulldozer was developed to remove the accumulated sediment, and divers were later brought in to complete the clearing of the conduit (Photo 5). This highlights the ongoing efforts required to maintain and preserve such critical infrastructure.

Photo 4: The bottom intake in empty reservoir (left) and the tree jamming (right)              Photo 5: The bull dozer and its positioning controlled by computer

On 18 September 2024, ETIP HYDROPOWER hosted the "Boosting Hydropower II: Best Practices for Research" webinar series, which provided updates on current developments in hydropower technology. The event, held from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM CET, featured presentations on three EU research projects aimed at improving hydropower’s role in Europe’s energy system, with hundred attendees. 

Mauro Carolli from SINTEF Energy Research presented ReHydro, a project that focuses on the refurbishment and modernization of European hydropower systems. It aims to strengthen the role of hydropower in future power grids while addressing sustainability and climate change challenges.

Staffan Lundström from Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, introduced Store2Hydro, a four-year project funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme. The project explores the integration of reversible pump turbine technology into existing hydropower plants to improve electricity storage capacity.

Clement Van Straaten from ASKEUL presented the RENEWAT project, which focuses on repurposing water mills for renewable energy production. The project involves partners from six EU countries and aims to share knowledge and promote renewable energy initiatives in local communities.

The session also included contributions from Emanuele Quaranta of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and Anton Schleiss from the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), who highlighted ETIP HYDROPOWER’s role in representing the hydropower sector.

This webinar provided an overview of ongoing research efforts to enhance hydropower’s efficiency, sustainability, and integration into Europe’s energy systems.

Stay tuned for the next webinar, which will take place on the 6th of December, presenting three new EU-funded projects in hydropower.

For more information:

Speaker slides: Anton Schleiss (ETIP HYDROPOWER), Emanuele Quaranta (JRC), Mauro Carolli (ReHydro), Staffan Lundström (Store2Hydro), Clement Van Straaten (RENEWAT)

Webinar recording link here. 

#Hydropower #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #EUFunding #EnergyTransition

During the Global Hydropower Day, Professor Anton Schleiss, Coordinator of ETIP HYDROPOWER, participated in a webinar organised by the International Hydropower Association (IHA) that discussed the progress and challenges within the hydropower sector. The event brought together experts to share insights on sustainability, operational challenges, and workforce development in hydropower projects.

Professor Schleiss presented ETIP HYDROPOWER’s work, focusing on its role in fostering innovation to meet Europe’s hydropower needs and its contribution to the sector's long-term sustainability goals, addressing how the project aim to support the doubling of hydropower capacity by 2050 to meet global net-zero objectives.

The webinar also featured discussions on overcoming technical and environmental challenges in hydropower development. Case studies from various regions provided examples of obstacles hydropower projects have encountered, alongside lessons learned that are shaping future development strategies.

Last week, members of the ETIP HYDROPOWER Secretariat and Governing Board played a key role at the ICOLD Annual Meeting and Symposium held in New Delhi, India. The event brought together global experts to discuss advancements in dam engineering, climate change, and hydropower.

Representing ETIP HYDROPOWER were:

• Anton Schleiss, Honorary President of ICOLD and Chairman of the Technical Committee on Hydraulics for Dams.
• Denis Aelbrecht, outgoing Chairman of the Technical Committee on Climate Change.
• Antonella Frigerio, newly elected Chair of the Technical Committee on Computational Aspects of Analysis and Design of Dams.

During the event, participants discussed the preparation of a World Declaration on the role of dams and reservoirs in supporting the energy transition and adaptation to climate change. This important declaration will be developed in collaboration with other organizations to highlight the significance of hydropower infrastructure in the global shift to renewable energy and climate resilience.

The involvement of ETIP HYDROPOWER in these discussions underscores the organization's commitment to promoting sustainable hydropower solutions and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

Join on 23 September at the Université Libre de Bruxelles for a landmark event hosted by PEN@hydropower COST Action. This hybrid event, accessible both in person and online, will bring together experts and key stakeholders to explore the current and future landscape of hydropower in Europe.

Key Discussions:

• • Panel 1: "Ambassadors for European Hydropower"
    This session will delve into the challenges and opportunities facing hydropower today, highlighting its evolving role in Europe’s energy transition.
  • Panel 2: "Education and Skills: The Future of Hydropower"
    A forward-looking panel discussing the skills required for the future of the hydropower sector. The conversation will focus on addressing current gaps in education and preparing the next generation of professionals.
    Speakers will include representatives from the European Commission, EERA, COST, TU Wien, Eurelectric, and other notable organisations.

Special Feature: HydroClip Competition
As a highlight, the event will announce the winners of the HydroClip competition, which invited students to creatively depict hydropower through short videos on TikTok and Instagram. These young voices will offer fresh perspectives on the future of hydropower, showcasing innovative contributions from across Europe.

This event promises to be a significant moment for those interested in the future of sustainable energy in Europe.

REGISTER: 

• • • Online: https://tuwien.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5YuceqprzIpH9B1GWl_KFnajz6WgPoEQLq4
    • On-site: https://forms.gle/TbiJsfE7gj5ptgxN7

On 18 September 2024, from 1:30PM to 3:00PM CET, the latest session in the "Boosting Hydropower: Best Practices for Research" webinar series will present recent advancements in hydropower technology. Organised under the ETIP HYDROPOWER project, this session will highlight three EU research projects.

Featured Projects and Presenters:

• • ReHydro: Mauro Carolli from SINTEF Energy Research will present ReHydro, a project focused on refurbishing and modernising European hydropower to play a significant role in future power systems. The project prioritises sustainability and addresses societal needs within the context of climate change.
  • Store2Hydro: Staffan Lundström from Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, will introduce Store2Hydro, a four-year initiative funded by the European Commission's Horizon Europe programme. This project aims to optimise electricity storage by integrating reversible pump turbine technology into existing hydropower infrastructures.
  • Renewat: Clement Van Straaten from ASKEUL will present the RENEWAT project, which addresses the cultural and territorial aspects of repurposing water mills for renewable energy. The project involves partners from six EU countries who will share knowledge and support renewable energy initiatives in existing water mills, with the goal of enhancing the skills of local and regional actors.

Additionally, the webinar will feature contributions from Emanuele Quaranta of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and Anton Schleiss from the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), who will represent ETIP HYDROPOWER.

This webinar provides an opportunity to learn about the latest research developments in hydropower across Europe.

How to Join:

Interested participants can register for the webinar HERE.

The ETIP HYDROPOWER team is announcing the winners of the Summer Postcard Contest. The contest, which aimed to capture the beauty and power of hydropower through photography, showcased the aesthetic beauty of hydropower.

Winning Photographs:

• Martin Stoyanov - This breathtaking photograph captures the highest dam on the territory of Bulgaria and Balkan Peninsula, the Kalim Dam, located at 2,394 meters above sea level in the Rila Mountain, an excellent place to spend a hot summer day in Bulgaria.
• Krasimir Karamfilov – This image depicts the Shiroka Polyana Dam, a reservoir located in the Western Rhodope Mountains of southern Bulgaria. Its waters are used for electricity generation and irrigation. Due to its scenic location and abundance of fish, this reservoir is a popular tourist destination.

Both winners will have their photos featured on ETIP HYDROPOWER's official postcards and social media channels and will also be used to greet all our members. These will be used to promote the importance of hydropower in achieving a sustainable future.

The winning photographs are now available on our social media channels. Follow us to stay updated on our initiatives and to see more inspiring content from the hydropower community.

For more information, visit the social media and join the conversation with the hashtags #HydroSummer #HydroPhotoContest.

On April 22 and 23, the picturesque town of Juan-les-Pins Antibes hosted SOLAR-HYDRO 2024, an event dedicated to exploring the global potential and progress in solar-hydro power. The conference focused on critical areas such as safety, new technology, environmental aspects, and finance, attracting industry leaders and experts from around the world.

ETIP HYDROPOWER, represented by our esteemed member Jean-Jaques FRY made a significant impact at the event, presenting three key strategies to enhance Floating Solar PV (FPV) deployment in Europe:

1. 1. Strategic Research Innovation Agenda: Encouraging organizations to identify essential research and innovation actions for both the Strategic Research Innovation Agenda of ETIP PV and ETIP HYDROPOWER.
   2. HORIZON R&I Framework Program: Highlighting opportunities to propose projects on floating solar PV under the European HORIZON R&I framework, aimed at scaling up sustainable FPV deployment across Europe.
   3. Collaborative Research and Innovation: Promoting the implementation of FPV research and innovation projects through direct stakeholder collaboration and in-kind contributions.

During the event, several topics requiring further research and innovation were identified:

• • Defining the maximum reservoir surface area that FPV can cover.
  • Enhancing social and environmental acceptability of projects.
  • Mitigating risks through pilot project knowledge.
  • Improving monitoring support for investors and authorities.
  • Adopting AI for FPV in mature markets.
  • Critically assessing design and construction aspects for anchors, mooring systems, and floater fatigue.
  • Increasing PV panel efficiency.
  • Conducting economic analyses on CAPEX and OPEX.
  • Establishing international standards for materials, grid codes, and environmental aspects.

To support the final point, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy announced the formation of a working group to develop directives for FPV projects in Switzerland.

For a detailed summary of the presentations and discussions, refer to Alison Bartle's article in the International Journal on Hydropower & Dams, Volume 31, Issue 3, pages 76-89.

Anton Schleiss, a key member of the ETIP HYDROPOWER Coordination team, was invited to deliver a one-hour keynote lecture at the 12th East Asian Dam Conference (EADC). This event was part of the International Symposium on Sustainable Development and Management of Dams and Reservoirs for Future Generations, held on June 3rd, 2024, in Nagoya, Japan. More information about the event can be found here.

In his keynote address, titled "The Sustainable Use and Extension of Hydropower Reservoirs is Vital to Ensure the Energy Transition," Schleiss emphasized the critical role that hydropower reservoirs play in Europe. In the second part of his lecture, he highlighted how these reservoirs and dams are essential in mitigating the ongoing energy crisis and how they act as catalysts and enablers for the European Green Deal.

Schleiss presented the outcomes of HYDROPOWER EUROPE, showcasing the project's contributions to advancing sustainable hydropower solutions. Additionally, he discussed the ongoing activities of ETIP HYDROPOWER, underscoring the initiative's efforts to promote innovation and collaboration within the hydropower sector. His presentation underscored the necessity of sustainable hydropower development to support the energy transition and ensure a resilient and environmentally friendly energy future for Europe and beyond.