Experts gather to define research and innovation priorities for the future of Europe's Hydropower industry

 

On 25th March 2020, HYDROPOWER EUROPE invited experts from the hydropower industry to participate in the Second Expert Panel Consultation to define a common Research and innovation Agenda and Strategic Industry Roadmap.

 

Press release

30th March 2020

 

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More than 30 experts joined an online workshop from roundtable home offices providing a valuable input on the evaluation of the first drafts of the Research and Innovation Agenda (RIA) and Strategic Industry Roadmap (SIR). Prior to the online workshop, the experts had access to the draft documents and were invited to provide with their written comments.

 

On the one hand, the goal of the RIA is to provide recommendations on the R&I priorities for hydro to the EU institutions and national authorities, in order to contribute shaping public spending for R&I. The document will also provide a useful reference to the entire hydropower community.

 

On the other hand, the goal of the SIR is to understand why communities, i.e. stakeholder, accept/reject hydropower projects, to promote the best and innovative practices in hydropower development and formulate recommendations (both to public authorities and private stakeholders) on how hydropower can contribute to the successful energy system transition, preserve the environment and increase societal resilience. SIR recognizes the overarching societal needs and trends, reflected or based on strategic European energy policy & ambition.

 

Altogether 11 topics were commented on:

Session 1: Barriers to large scale deployment of all sizes of hydropower

Session 2: Hydropower for a better society

Session 3: Continual improvement of the protection of environment

Session 4: Funding Hydropower Research and deployment

Session 5: Increasing Flexibility

Session 6: Optimisation of operations and maintenance

Session 7: Resilience of electromechanical equipment, construction and material technology

Session 8: Resilience of Infrastructures

Session 9: Developing new emerging concepts

Session 10: Environmental-friendly solutions

Session 11: Mitigating impact of global warming

 

Due to a current outbreak of COVID 19, the initial plan to organize a 2-day face to face workshop in Brussels was cancelled. Thus, HYDROPOWER EUROPE management decided to arrange an online session with roundtable home offices inviting the experts to contribute to the discussion.

 

The aim of Horizon2020 project, HYDROPOWER EUROPE, is to provide a focal point for reviewing and developing hydropower in Europe, and subsequently European hydropower in the wider world.

 

The HYDROPOWER EUROPE consortium comprises 8 partners: ICOLD: International Commission on Large Dams (coordinator); EASE: European Association for Storage of Energy; EREF: European Renewable Energies Federation; EUREC: Association of European Renewable Energy Research Centres;  IHA: International Hydropower Association; SAMUI: Samui France sarl; VGB: VGB PowerTech e.V.; Zabala Innovation Consulting (Zabala Brussels).

HYDROPOWER EUROPE communication

E  • dprsancova@zabala.eu

T  • +32 2 513 81 22

W• hydropower-europe.eu

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