HERI – Research Actions Database

Description

Sustainable energy sources like hydropower plants (HPPs) generate vast energy with minimal environmental impact. By utilising this clean energy solution, it is possible to effectively meet our energy demands without compromising the health of our environment. Unfortunately, HPPs can harm fish populations, migration routes and habitats. The EU-funded FIThydro project aims to evaluate HPPs’ impact on native environments in the EU. By collaborating with policymakers, the project seeks to develop a solution that addresses these concerns. The proposed solution involves using various tools, technologies and a decision support system. This approach enables HPP operators to maintain production rates while safeguarding fish populations and upholding environmental standards. FIThydro addresses the decision support in commissioning and operating hydropower plants (HPP) by use of existing and innovative technologies. It concentrates on mitigation measures and strategies to develop cost-efficient environmental solutions and on strategies to avoid individual fish damage and enhancing population developments. Therefore HPPS all over Europe are involved as test sites. The facilities for upstream and downstream migration are evaluated, different bypass systems including their use as habitats and the influence of sediment on habitat. In addition existing tools and devices will be enhanced during the project and will be used in the experimental set-ups in the laboratories and at the test sites for e.g. detection of fish or prediction of behavior. This includes sensor fish, different solutions for migration as e.g. trash rack variations, different fish tracking systems, but also numerical models as habitat and population model or virtual fish swimming path model. Therefore a three-level-based workplan was created with preparatory desk work at the beginning to analyze shortcomings and potential in environment-friendly hydropower. Following the experimental tests will be conducted at the different test sites to demonstrate and evaluate the effects of the different options not covered by the desk-work. Thirdly, these results are fed into a risk based Decision Support System (DSS) which is developed for planning, commissioning and operating of HPPs. It is meant to enable operators to fulfill the requirements of cost-effective production and at the same time meet the environmental obligations and targets under European legislation and achieve a self-sustained fish population.

Organisations

• TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN - Coordinator

Funding

• European funding

Specific Funding Sources:
European Commission

Level of Action:

European

Applications

Small-hydro, Large-hydro, Run-of-the-River, Storage Hydropower, Pumped Storage

Keywords

Communication, Ecology, Maintenance, Modeling / Simulation, River management, Sustainability

Areas of Research

Last Updated: 08/04/2024 08:11

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