Trends, challenges and solutions in the development of SHP in the EU 6th Hydro Power for Today Forum & 3rd Technical Workshop of the Observatory Martina Steinkusz • European Small Hydropower Association (ESHA)
Universidade Estadual de Campinas – Campinas São Paulo 29-31 October 2013
Table of Contents
The Role of ESHA
SHP in Brief
Trends for SHP in the EU
Challenges and Possible Recommendations
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The Role of ESHA Founded in 1989, as an initiative from the European Commission Federation of European national (small) hydropower associations as well as members from all sectors of the hydropower field, such as equipment manufacturers, public utilities, independent producers, research institutes, investors, industry and consultants Located with other Renewable Energy Associations in the Renewable Energy House in Brussels close to the European institutions
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The Role of ESHA
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Representation and promotion of small hydropower (SHP)
sector at EU level
Education Participation in European
(small) hydro related projects
Networking platform among hydropower stakeholders
Representation and promotion of small hydropower sector at EU level
• Founding Member of the
European Renewable Energy
Council (EREC)
• Awareness raising events on
SHP at the European
Institutions
• Representing interests of our
Members
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Networking platform among hydropower stakeholders
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• Providing its members with key information and briefings on EU policies and legislation
• Promoting networking among hydropower stakeholders • Creating synergies within the renewable energy and other relevant sectors
Small Hydropower Education
Postgraduate Course in
Sustainable Hydropower
• Vienna, Austria
• March – June, every year
• Possibility to book modules
separately
• Renowned hydropower
professors and industry
representatives
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Association (ESHA) 7
Participation in EU projects
stoRE RESTOR Hydro
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• Supports the development of energy storage infrastructure in Europe
• Identification and restoring of potential small hydropower sites
• Energy, market & policy data collection on HP for the European Member States
Some Facts on European Small Hydropower
• A plant with an installed capacity of up to and including 10 MW.
• SHP can supply today enough electricity for 13 million
households.
• In 2010 nearly 21,800 SHP plants have been in operation.
• It is expected that the overall SHP number should reach up to
24,000 by 2020.
• The average installed capacity of a SHP plant varies between 0.6 -
0.7 MW.
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Our findings indicate steady growth of SHP plants, installed capacity and electricity generation
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SHP installed capacity in the EU countries (MW)
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SHP electricity generation in the EU countries (GWh/year)
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SHP contribution to RES-E mix (% of total electricity generation in GWh/year)
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Other RES-E estimates according to the National Renewable Energy Actions Plans
SHP potential diminishes from the gross theoretical to environmentally compliant potential
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Challenges and possible recommendations Environmental Policies European environmental legislation and national implementing laws hinder the development, the operation and the refurbishment of SHP plants • overshooting measures lacking
scientific evidence • consistent interpretations • clear definitions European and national environmental policies often overlook the contribution of SHP to the fight against climate change through renewable energy production and support. There is a lack of consistency with the European Renewable Energy Directive.
Need for good cooperation
between the energy and environmental policies and actors.
Environmental policies should be based on sound scientific assessment, clear definitions and a cost-benefit analysis.
Site-specific evaluation should be promoted.
A balanced approach (taking into account all dimensions of sustainability) should be promoted.
SHP should be considered as a technology that can support water management policies.
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Challenges and possible recommendations Financial Viability The adaptation of certain support schemes can have an impact on the viability of the sector, in particular when not taking into account the multipurpose application of SHP. Few actual alternative financing solutions exist (risky investment). Costs rise due to environmental policies.
Fair support mechanisms should take into account the multipurpose features of hydropower and the growing costs arising from environmental obligations. Stable regulatory and financial environment is important.
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Challenges and possible recommendations Administrative Barriers The licensing procedure for the sector is currently an extremely time consuming, highly bureaucratic procedure and with too many authorities and uncertainties. Some evolutions in water rights can also negatively affect the sector. Grid access can be difficult. SHP developers and investors lack a fair and stable policy framework.
Licensing procedures and issuing permits should rely on simple, fair, solid & transparent procedures (‘One-stop shops’).
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Challenges and possible recommendations Research Some of the previously mentioned challenges need the development of new solutions. Research in SHP in a challenge as such.
Research in SHP is needed, in particular concerning low head technologies, (pumped hydro) storage and grid access.
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Challenges and possible recommendations Communication SHP and its potential for Europe is often overlooked and kept away from the European and national policy agendas. When people think renewable, they think solar and wind.
Need for more marketing, stressing advantage of SHP (efficiency, stability, balancing effect, multipurpose applications, decentralised energy production).
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European Minihydro Good Practice Guide
Case Studies in • Sweden • Greece • Italy • Spain • Portugal • Czech Republic • Sweden • Romania
Source http://ruralres.diphuelva.es
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Government leadership and support are required
to encourage a sustainable private-sector small-
hydro industry
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
For any questions, do not hesitate to contact the ESHA Secretariat:
European Small Hydropower Association (ESHA)
Renewable Energy House
Rue d’ Arlon 63-67
1040 Brussels
BELGIUM
+32 2 400 10 67
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