New developments |
Key to Europe’s energy transition
The inaugural Brussels Hydropower Day took place recently to help give the sector a common voice
Above: First keynote speech of Ms Mathilde Lallemand (left), Policy Officer from the Directorate General for Energy of the European Commission (DG ENER) on the Electricity Market Design. Second keynote speech by Ms Ana Paula Moreira (middle), Head of European Affairs of the national energy company in Portugal (EDP), on good practice examples from Portugal, such as the scheme at Alqueva, a multipurpose large reservoir that integrates both solar and hydropower sources. Session chaired by Ms Janire Garcia (right), Zabala Innovation Europe and Communication and Dissemination Manager at ETIP Hydropower
ETIP HYDROPOWER SUCCESSFULLY ORGANISED the first edition of the annual Brussels Hydropower Day on 25 April 2023, under the title: “The added value of the hydropower sector as a catalyst and enabler in the clean and safe energy transition under the energy crisis”. More than 120 participants joined a host of speakers who contributed to interesting and fruitful discussions, both online and in-person, in this informative event that brought together all stakeholder groups in the sector to discuss the challenges in the deployment of hydropower. As Europe faces the challenges of the energy transition, the energy crisis, and changing market and regulatory conditions, the opportunities and barriers facing hydropower are more complex than ever. Many hydropower systems could still be extended and upgraded by the modernisation of equipment or increasing their storage capacity, while 17 countries in Europe have so far tapped less than 50% of their economically feasible potential. However, unlocking this remaining potential is extremely challenging due to socioeconomical and environmental barriers, amongst others, that can only be overcome with widely acceptable sustainable solutions.
Objectives The Brussels Hydropower Day was created following
the need to bring together a wide range of hydropower stakeholder groups and policymakers at the European level. The aim was to provide a space for showcasing the key services provided by hydropower to the grid and electricity system, and facilitate discussion and collaboration on the most pressing issues that affect the deployment of hydropower in Europe and beyond.
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Throughout the event participants gained new insights into best practice for hydropower deployment, including examples of market design, flexibility, and biodiversity requirements. They also had the opportunity to participate in the dialogue about cooperation with other energy platforms within the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan on approaches to ensure energy system integration and a flexible safe energy supply.
From theory to practise The Hydropower Day was opened by Ms Hélène
Chraye, Deputy Director for the Clean Planet initiative at the European Commission Directorate General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and Anton Schleiss, Professor Emeritus at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and scientific coordinator of ETIP Hydropower. They promoted the important and often ignored role which hydropower has to play in the current global energy landscape and the potential it still has for helping to achieve the future net-zero carbon target set by the European Union. Hydropower needs to export the European values, sustainability and circularity and use them as a competitive advantage. European citizens also need to be included to enable them to recognise the benefits of hydropower. Discussion panels at the event focused on: The added value of hydropower and energy storage in the energy transition and within the energy crisis. Best practice examples to tackle economic, environmental and societal challenges with hydropower. Synergies and collaboration with European
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