| Contents regulars Cover Story


Drax Group is planning to expand its Cruachan pumped storage project in Scotland, with building work expected to start in 2024 if greenlighted


5 World News


Govt funds approved for Hells Gates Dam in Queensland, Australia; Voith completes acquisition of Voith Hydro’s shares from Siemens


features 27 28 8 Spotlight


Dr Graham Ault provides details on technology available to get


hydropower schemes connected to power grids sooner rather than later


Classified


30 34


Contacts


9


Equipment 9


10


17


Optimizing hydropower maintenance


Strategies to help optimize maintenance management


Equipping pumped storage


Update on equipment being supplied at pumped storage projects across the world


18 12


Life extensions New equipment is being used to help extend the life of hydropower projects in Canada, Switzerland and Nigeria


Survey and investigation


24


14 Technology to pass the test


Geospatial AI is helping dam and hydropower project owners collect and utilize more data on their assets than ever before across vast areas, aiding in dam safety inspections


Futuristic framework Researchers have developed a new framework to investigate the thermal impact of dams worldwide


Small hydro 18


22


Utilizing existing resources 27


Plug & play VerdErg Renewable Energy has launched VETT-in-a-Box concept development


Power to the people The UK has been encouraged to turn to community-owned renewable schemes to help generate more electricity.


24


Nail in the coffin A nine-fold cost increase by the Environment Agency has been described as the ‘final nail in the coffin’ for the small hydro industry in England. The British Hydropower Association says that this negates on government commitments to Net Zero and urges the agency to rethink its decision


RPS and the Railbelt A report into the potential impacts of achieving an 80% renewable energy portfolio standard on Alaska’s Railbelt electrical grid has been carried out. One of the key findings underpins the important role of flexible hydropower in balancing supply and demand and providing fast response to system outages


Sustainable hydropower


28 We can, with hydropower


The 'We can, with hydropower' public information campaign recently launched by the International Hydropower Association highlights the many benefits that hydropower provides to society when developed responsibly and sustainably


Next issue AI and streamflow forecasting; tunnel breakthroughs; the impact of dam construction on local communities; large dam developments @waterpowermag


©Progressive Media International ISSN 0306-400X


www.waterpowermagazine.com | April 2022 | 3


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