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out: “As the primary source of electricity in Brazil, hydropower is essential to meet the country’s energy demands. We recognize and advocate for the importance of hydroelectricity generation that actively minimizes any potential adverse social and environmental effects. We hope that Jirau can set an example for other hydropower projects across the continent, encouraging them to continuously improve and demonstrate their sustainability practices.” The journey towards Gold certification began in 2012 when Jirau’s sustainability commitment was evident during an assessment against the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP) tool, even during the project’s implementation stage. This initial assessment laid the foundation for Jirau’s remarkable journey towards achieving Gold certification in 2023. Joerg Hartmann, Lead Accredited Assessor for the 2023 assessment and a member of the assessing team in the 2012 assessment, reflected on this journey, stating: “Having conducted the initial assessment of the Jirau project using the HSAP during construction, it is very gratifying to return after a decade of operations and witness the significant progress and consolidation of environmental and social initiatives, along with the positive impacts generated by the project. Having previously collaborated with Jirau Energia, we hold an optimistic outlook that this dedicated team will persist in working on remaining issues, particularly in areas related to the livelihoods of local communities and aquatic biodiversity, even as they have already achieved Gold-level certification.” The Jirau hydropower plant’s Gold- level certification against the Hydropower Sustainability Standard represents a significant milestone in the region’s commitment to sustainable energy practices, setting an example for others to follow in the pursuit of environmentally and socially responsible hydropower projects.
Canada
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster launches $10.5 million HydroAware project for AI- enhanced fish monitoring in hydropower Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) has unveiled the HydroAware Project, a $10.5 million initiative aimed at advancing hydropower capabilities while ensuring the conservation of aquatic habitats through AI-powered fish monitoring. This endeavor is set to enhance fish tracking technology in challenging marine environments and improve the accessibility of fish tracking insights in remote locations.
Led by Innovasea in Bedford, Nova Scotia,
the HydroAware Project is expected to bring about crucial advancements in fish tracking technology. These advancements seek
to address existing challenges faced by hydropower companies, such as streamlining approval processes for tidal stream and hydropower projects, reducing regulatory hurdles, and enhancing revenue opportunities within the renewable energy sector. The project, which boasts a total investment of nearly $10.5 million, is a collaborative effort, with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster contributing $5 million through the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (PCAIS) Program. The remaining financial support is coming from project partners, including the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE), BigMoon Power, Nova Scotia Power Inc., New Brunswick Power Corporation, and DeepSense. Hydropower companies often find themselves at the intersection of energy production and environmental conservation, facing the challenge of minimizing the impact on fish populations by their infrastructure while adhering to stringent regulations. Fish tracking solutions play a pivotal role in monitoring fish behavior in and around these facilities. The HydroAware Project will usher in a new era for fish tracking technology by incorporating AI, which will allow hydropower companies to collect more comprehensive data on fish behavior, expedite regulatory approvals, and bolster Canada’s efforts in renewable hydropower generation. This AI-powered system will help in collecting concrete evidence of safe fish passage and thus streamline the regulatory approval process. Commenting on this innovative project,
Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, stated: “AI in ocean has the potential to help transform the way we do ocean business. Today Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announce the $10.5 million dollar HydroAware Project, bringing together partners across different ocean sectors to advance AI in fish tracking technology, manage the movement of fish around hydropower infrastructure, support the sustainable growth of an industry and create economic benefits and jobs in the process.” Mark Jollymore, President of Innovasea, emphasized the potential of incorporating AI capabilities into fish tracking technology, saying: “Incorporating artificial intelligence capabilities to our existing fish tracking technology will help ensure that hydropower producers in Canada and beyond are able to meet their green power goals in a manner that safeguards habitats and minimizes impacts to marine life. AI will enable us to monitor fish activity in environments that were previously too remote or inhospitable, ultimately serving as a catalyst for the next generation of hydro and tidal power facilities.” The HydroAware Project builds upon the significant progress made by Innovasea in tagless fish detection technology, which provides hydropower producers with real- time data on fish activity in and around their infrastructure to achieve the dual mandate of wildlife protection and operational enhancement.
6 | November 2023 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
In support of tidal energy’s role in achieving clean energy targets, FORCE emphasized the importance of this project: “Tidal energy can help us meet our clean energy targets, contribute to our economy, and reduce reliance on imported energy. HydroAware will help us unlock that potential by improving our understanding of how fish and tidal devices interact with each other, and ensuring the safeguarding of our marine ecosystems.”
Global
IHA and IWHR join forces In an effort to enhance sustainable hydropower initiatives on a global scale, the International Hydropower Association (IHA) and the China Institute of Water Resources (IWHR) have entered into a cooperative agreement this month.
Over the past two decades, China has been at the forefront of hydropower capacity expansion, responsible for more than two- thirds of the world’s newly installed capacity. This achievement has positioned China as a leading nation in the hydropower sector, with a capacity nearly two and a half times that of any other country. As the rest of the world grapples with the imperative of increasing hydropower capacity to meet rising energy demands, many nations are turning to China for guidance, technological expertise, and investment. The IHA plays an important role in facilitating global collaboration, and its partnership with IWHR underscores its commitment to sustainable hydropower development across the world.
As part of this agreement, IWHR will continue
to serve as the host for the IHA China National Office, strengthening the ties between the two organizations and improving the representation of China’s experience and priorities within the global community. The collaboration will encompass various
areas, including membership, advocacy, communications, data collection, sustainability, and support for the 2023 World Hydropower Congress. This memorandum also marks an opportunity to expand the application of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard within China and in Chinese overseas investments. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to commitments to protect World Heritage Sites, as outlined in the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower. Eddie Rich, IHA CEO, commented on the
agreement, acknowledging China’s significant role in advancing the hydropower sector: “ China is the pre-eminent hydropower country and has done more to advance its role in meeting its net zero targets than any other country. Chinese companies are helping other countries deliver on their necessary capacity increases to global net zero goals and clean energy and water needs. This partnership with IHWR showcases IHA’s dedication to sustainable hydropower in China and beyond.”
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