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This article explores the trade-offs in the decarbonisation of the energy sector by analysing the legal arguments in favour of and against hydropower in EU law. It contends that the EU regimes in climate, energy and environmental law each value the advantages and disadvantages of energy production in different ways. In contrasting the approaches in these three areas of EU law, the article analyses how EU law governs the decarbonisation process in the context of hydropower. The analysis reveals a promising opportunity to reconcile the friction among climate, energy and environmental law while improving the ecological sustainability of hydropower production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change causes a problem for the energy system in Poland, which is based on the availability of water resources throughout the year. In situations of water scarcity resulting from increased demand or due to water deficits caused by the phenomenon of drought, it is necessary to develop efficient management methods that take into account the needs of all stakeholders and obtaining approval for new investments. The principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) enable this efficiency to be achieved. The research used 51 questions in 3 surveys to assess the potential for IWRM implementation in 3 catchments located in an area of southern and south-western Poland with different topography, regional and socio-economic characteristics, i.e., the Białka (tourism domination), the Nysa Kłodzka (potential for hydropower) and the Widawa (lowland character). In order to interpret the results, the author's method of grouping survey questions from different sources was applied. The results of the study showed that there is considerable social potential and willingness to develop cooperation between different stakeholder groups but there are barriers related to the state of knowledge and its transfer between stakeholders. It is important not to ignore the stakeholders whose resistance can effectively delay investment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification of a hydropower scheme as run-of-the-river (or run-of-river; ROR) evokes an image of a low-impact installation; however, examination of eight case studies worldwide shows that substantial negative societal and ecological impacts are tied to them, albeit in somewhat different ways. We conclude that ROR dams not only potentially displace communities, disrupt livelihoods, and degrade environments in surrounding areas, but they also divert water from areas of need, impact aquatic ecology through habitat destruction and disruption of fish migrations, emit non-trivial amounts of greenhouse gases over the lifespan of the project, and disrupt streamflow in downstream river sections. While these negative impacts vary on a case-by-case basis, medium and large ROR dams consistently have multiple and cumulative impacts, even when not having appreciable reservoirs. We contend that many impactful dams do not qualify as low-impact ROR projects, despite being defined as such. Such mislabeling is facilitated in part by the ambiguous definition of the term, which risks the ROR concept being used by proponents of impactful structures to downplay their negative effects and thus mislead the public or gain status, including within the Clean Development Mechanism in relation to mitigating climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From less than three dozen in 1949, the number of small hydropower stations in the People's Republic of China grew to nearly ninety thousand by 1979. By the early 1980s, these stations were distributed across nearly 1,600 of China's 2,300 counties. In 770 counties, small hydropower was the primary source of rural electricity generation. This article offers a history and assessment of these developments, unsettling our traditional emphasis on large-scale hydroelectricity. The article begins by reconstructing the PRC's enormous investments in small hydropower from the 1950s to the early 1980s. This reconstruction, the first of its kind in the English language, not only helps reassess key periods and events in the history of the PRC but also establishes the position of small hydropower in the hydraulic history of the twentieth century. The article then turns to a discussion of the claimed impacts of small hydropower. As electricity became available for the first time in many parts of the Chinese countryside, it affected patterns of economic and social activity for hundreds of millions of people. Finally, the paper explores what the case of small hydropower can offer to conceptual and theoretical problems surrounding development, innovation, and the environment. Returning to the long-standing debate over scale and development, China's experience with small hydropower reminds us of the important role played by smaller-scale, appropriate, and self-reliant technologies in global energy history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish biodiversity assessments are vital for understanding threats and aquatic ecosystem health. In the Poso River, Central Sulawesi, changes in biodiversity are influenced by habitat alteration, non-native species, and overfishing. This study evaluates fish and crustacean biodiversity in the Poso River system to address these challenges for improving fisheries management, conservation, and fish passage integration into hydropower development. The present biodiversity study utilized a comprehensive methodology that encompassed both traditional taxonomic approaches and DNA barcoding, specifically targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit-1 (COI) gene for accurate species identification and spatial boundary validation. The survey was conducted in the upstream, hydropower area and downstream areas of the river. We found 27 species of fish in the Poso River, including both native (e.g., Anguilla celebesensis, Oryzias nebulosus, Rhyacichthys aspro) and non-native species (e.g., Melanochromis auratus, Amphilophus trimaculatus, Oreochromis niloticus). Two International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red listed endangered species were also observed (e.g., Adrianichthys poptae and Mugilogobius sarasinorum). DNA barcoding was performed to examine species spatial boundaries. The fish population in the Poso River was dominated by non-native species, accounting for 85.70% of the total population. The upstream reaches had the highest fish abundance and diversity, while the downstream reaches had the lowest. There was, however, no significant difference in species richness and diversity across different locations and seasons. The dominance of non-native species in the Poso River necessitates the improvement of existing fishways within the hydropower dams potentially through the development of selective technology that can block the distribution of these non-native species. This research highlights the critical issue of non-native species proliferation and the potential threat they pose to native fish populations, providing valuable insights for conservation and management efforts in Indonesia and similar ecosystems worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streamflow is significantly influenced by the increased temperature and rainfall inconsistency due to climate change. This study assesses the impacts of climate change on water availability and streamflow dynamics during the periods 2030–2069 and 2070–2099 for two greenhouse gas trajectories (SSP245 and SSP585) in the lower catchment of the Upper Sutlej River Basin (USRB). This study integrates data from the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) General Circulation Models (GCMs) with the SWAT hydrological model. This approach analyzes the complex interactions between climate variables and hydrological processes. NASA NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 Bias-corrected statistically downscaled data at 0.25° X 0.25° grid resolution are used. Under SSP245, projected streamflow for near future 2030 to 2069 shows increases up to 56.097% in December, while decreases reach -9.420% in August. For far future 2070 to 2099, increases are observed up to 41.846% in December, with decreases up to -25.670% in August. Under SSP585, for near future 2030 to 2069, decreases range from -7.616% in May to -13.614% in August. For far future 2070 to 2099, decreases range from -12.386% in October to -25.670% in August, while increases reach 46.211% in November. The insights derived are crucial information for assessing water resource vulnerability to climate change in mountainous regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riverine habitat fragmentation by barriers, including impoundments, is common and their effects on obligate aquatic organisms are manifold. Organisms, such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), that make extensive river migrations are particularly vulnerable to the effects of impoundments. In this study, we use acoustic telemetry to examine the migratory behaviour of Atlantic salmon, as they migrate to sea for the first time as juvenile 'smolts', in a river with a series of dams that form a complex hydropower scheme. We demonstrate that overall migration success in the River Dee catchment and particularly through standing waters was remarkably high. We speculate that high migration success in standing waters could be due to relative current speeds providing good quality directional cues to migrants. Migration success past the two dams in this study, was relatively high, although the number of unsuccessful passage attempts before a successful passage was also very high. The vast majority of smolts passed the dams when the turbines were operational. At one dam, smolts did not use an available fish pass but migrated through the generating turbines. These findings provide several routes through which generation could be managed to enhance the success of downstream smolt migration in rivers where there are similar patterns of hydrogeneration in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research aims to analyse the effect of the number and shape of the blades and the curvature of the flume bottom on the performance curves of undershot water wheels, based on experimental tests conducted in a fully instrumented laboratory facility. Six wheels are tested: four wheels with plane blades (16, 24, 36, 48) and two with 24 curved blades for two flume bottom configurations. Torque, mechanical power and mechanical efficiency performance curves are determined for several rotational speed and flow rate values. Results demonstrate that the maximum efficiency is achieved for the 36-plane blade wheel, the curved flume bottom reduces water losses under the wheel and increases efficiency, and the blades' shape strongly influences the wheel efficiency. Non-dimensional performance curves are provided to generalise the results. This research provides relevant contributions towards the development of a low-cost energy recovery solution to be applied in water infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relocation of the national capital from DKI Jakarta to the East Kalimantan region and its people migration requires energy escalation. This project will require an additional 1,555 MW of electricity from existing conditions. In line with Indonesia's clean energy transition, this need can be addressed by developing renewable energy infrastructure, particularly hydropower. This study evaluates the hydropower potential in the Mahakam River using a run-of-river scheme. Given the limited availability of hydro-climatological ground stations, satellite data such as CFSR-TRMM, SRTM DEM, DSMW, and land-cover data were utilized, supported by the SWAT rainfall-runoff model for hydrological analysis. Data calibration was applied, and discharge results were analyzed using a new diversion algorithm to estimate potential power output. Innovative resampling of headrace arrangements was introduced to mitigate potential hydropower conflict sites. Social factors, including protected areas and water transportation routes, were also incorporated to minimize land disputes. The study identified 25 mini-hydropower sites and 16 micro-hydropower sites with a total capacity of 105.4 MW and 9 MW, respectively. These small-scale hydropower systems could supply 3.4% of the projected electricity demand for the new capital city called Nusantara (IKN), and potentially reduce annual carbon emissions by approximately 480,000 tons. The use of satellite data requires meticulous attention to ensure that data acquisition and processing yield reliable results while accurately reflecting field conditions. This research position also provides an initial overview of energy transition strategies in the IKN area through hydropower development and the subsequent potential assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tibet, with its abundant hydraulic, solar, and wind resources, stands at the forefront of China's renewable energy development. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of clean energy development in Tibet, highlighting the region's vast potential and the challenges it faces. We find that, while Tibet has made significant strides in harnessing its natural endowments, infrastructural limitations, seasonal fluctuations, and technological hurdles constrain the development of clean energy. This paper offers a multifaceted set of recommendations aimed at accelerating clean energy development in Tibet, including policy reforms, infrastructure enhancements, and technological innovations. Our study's unique contributions lie in its holistic approach to clean energy development, its detailed analysis of the regional energy policies, and its forward-looking recommendations that balance ecological protection with energy security. By adhering to the principle of ecological priority and conducting innovative research in clean energy development, Tibet can leverage its carbon sequestration capabilities for environmental protection while promoting sustainable economic and social development. This paper provides valuable insights for policymakers and scholars, offering a roadmap for the sustainable development of Tibet's economy and a reference for similar regions embarking on clean energy transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The imperative of achieving net zero carbon emissions is driving the transition to renewable energy sources. However, this often leads to carbon tunnel vision by narrowly focusing on carbon metrics and overlooking broader sustainability impacts. To enable these broader impacts to be considered, we have developed a generic approach and a freely available assessment tool on GitHub that not only facilitate the high-level sustainability assessment of renewable energy projects but also indicate whether project-level decisions have positive, negative, or neutral impacts on each of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This information highlights potential problem areas and which actions can be taken to increase the sustainability of renewable energy projects. The tool is designed to be accessible and user-friendly by developing it in MS Excel and by only requiring yes/no answers to approximately 60 diagnostic questions. The utility of the approach and tool are illustrated via three desktop case studies performed by the authors. The three illustrative case studies are located in Australia and include a large-scale solar farm, biogas production from wastewater plants, and an offshore wind farm. Results show that the case study projects impact the SDGs in different and unique ways and that different project–level decisions are most influential, highlighting the value of the proposed approach and tool to provide insight into specific projects and their sustainability implications, as well as which actions can be taken to increase project sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has diverse effects on the interannual variability of river flows in Colombia. Given that 70% of the country's electricity supply is provided by hydroelectric dams located in different regions and operated by different companies linked by a nationally integrated system, the decisions taken by operators in response to ENSO can be just as varied. The present study investigates the spatial and temporal distribution of the ENSO effects in four case studies, its relation to hydropower generation and prices, and assesses the reliability of global ENSO indices for monitoring and anticipating local effects. The results show ENSO-driven variations in streamflow and precipitation in all cases, but their intensity and duration are highly dependent on location. La Niña led to positive precipitation and stream flow anomalies, while El Niño led to negative anomalies. In two dams, Hidrosogamoso and Betania, the ENSO influence is stronger, and has a higher correlation with reservoir operations with lags greater than one month. Urra has more stationary annual operations given the reduced ENSO effects in the reservoir’s basin. On the whole, ENSO indices are insufficient in describing the local variations completely. And operator’s size, market share, and installed capacity contribute to increasing flexibility in operations while facing ENSO challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous sustainability studies often overlook the social dimension. This neglect arises from two main reasons: the scarcity of reliable social indicators and the qualitative nature of most of the available ones. This study offers a different perspective to address this gap by using data envelopment analysis (DEA), a method that can handle both quantitative and qualitative data. Unlike traditional DEA that aim to maximize output with minimal input, our approach aims to maximize positive perceptions of impacts (outputs) and the effectiveness of impact management strategies (inputs). We rely on data collected by our team, using Likert-scale surveys from 694 participants in two Colombian Andes river basins, representing the hydropower industry, policymakers, and local communities. DEA makes our analysis more objective, less influenced by biases of decision makers. Findings provide insights into the factors driving efficient sustainability perceptions and lay the groundwork for designing specific policies to improve sustainability while balancing social, economic, and environmental concerns, achieving a comprehensive approach to sustainability in Colombian hydropower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing surplus hydropower from Ecuador's major hydroelectric plants to produce green hydrogen, a clean energy source that can be used to meet a large percentage of energy needs. Given Ecuador's significant hydropower infrastructure, this approach leverages untapped energy resources for hydrogen production, with potential impacts on decarbonization strategies. A Pareto analysis identified five key hydroelectric plants that contribute the most to the national surplus. Using historical data from 2019 to 2023, a stochastic model was applied to estimate future surplus availability through 2030. The findings indicate that although Ecuador's surplus hydropower peaked in 2021, the general trend shows a decline, suggesting an urgent need to capitalize on these resources efficiently. The results indicate a projected annual surplus of hydroelectric energy in Ecuador, ranging from 7475 to 3445 GWh over the next five years, which could be utilized for green hydrogen production. Ecuador thus has promising potential to become a green hydrogen producer, enhancing both regional energy security and carbon reduction goals. The reduction in energy availability for hydrogen production is attributed to the increasing energy demand and variable climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]