EUROPEAN SMALL HYDROPOWER ASSOCIATION - ESHA

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Climate Change might have an impact on reaching the good status but should not be used as an excuse for
not reaching it
It is difficult to analyze if a pressure is caused by climate change, natural climate variation or human activity
Some adaptation measures (reservoir) might need to be put in place as a cause of climate change even if it is
not in line with the WFD aim to reach good status
Article 4.7 (exemption) of the WFD can be applied to adaptation measures that are modifying the physical
characteristics of water bodies (e.g. reservoirs, water abstractions) and deteriorate water status.
The guidance document also addresses specific challenges of managing future flood risk and water scarcity. The role
of hydropower in flood risk management is outlined in a following way:
‘Dams throughout the EU can be considered as an important part of integrated water management schemes under
climate change conditions. Multifunctional dams may contribute to water storage (for drinking water supply), flood
protection, hydropower, stabilisation of discharge downstream in times of drought for ecological purposes,
maintenance of water abstraction and discharge for power plants, navigation, recreation, fishery and nature
protection. Multifunctionality as a strategic principle requires new tools such as adaptive management in space and
time in order to optimise and to balance legal and technical requirements’. Moreover, it is mentioned how run-offriver
power plants can have a positive effect, especially on smaller and medium flood events.
The next ESHA-WFD Working Group meeting will take place on 16 December 2009 at the Renewable Energy House.
For further information, please contact Lauha Fried
IN BRIEF
SHP Cascade Imst, Tyrol, Austria – back on grid The quadruple SHP cascade Imst was originally built in
1895 as one of the first SHPs in Western Europe to supply local industries with electric power. In 2006 WEB
Windenergie AG purchased the outdated facilities and contracted Posch & Partners to develop a new
concept based on state of the art technology and complying with the latest environmental and ecological
standards. The result is a double cascade with rehabilitation of civil works, a comprehensive overhaul of the
upstream unit and a new, architecturally pleasing downstream unit. New controls and SCADA permit
remote operation and data acquisition of the cascade. The on-line arrangement of the two units with a
siphon and a tunnel section in between and direct discharge into an existing tunnel of limited capacity was
a special challenge for the P&P Engineers and the E&M supplier. Test operation started in September with
results exceeding projections.
Source: Posch & Partners Consulting Engineers (www.pap.co.at)
Micro hydroplant brings cheaper electricty to an Indian village. On the 2 nd of September 2009, the Indian
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy inaugurated a 30kW hydropower plant in the Leh district of
India. This gives the 90 villagers consistent benefits compared to the costly diesel generator that was used
until now. Indeed, it enables them to have access to electricity in the evenings, as well as to have access to
a flourmill and a multi-purpose carpentry machine,amongst others. Moreover the installation and
operation of the power plant generates job opportunities for the villagers. Having inaugurated the plant,
the Minister discussed with other guests the possibility to generalise the use of renewable technologies
such as solar or small hydropower to replace diesel or kerosene in civil, paramilitary and military facilities.
Source: http://www.microhydropower.net/news/viewnews.php?ID=119
ESHA – European Small Hydropower Association
Renewable Energy House, Rue d’Arlon 63-67 B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32.2.546.19.45, Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, E-mail: info@esha.be, www.esha.be
ESHA is founding member of EREC - European Renewable Energy Council
June 2009