Press Releases
The First Expert Workshop
This month marked the start of HYDROPOWER EUROPE’s expert consultation activities to support the development of the Forum’s Research & Innovation Agenda and Strategic Industry Roadmap.
Through an extensive programme of review and consultation addressing the whole hydropower sector and stakeholders (including construction, production, environmental and social issues), the HYDROPOWER EUROPE Forum will provide a focal point for reviewing and developing hydropower in Europe, and subsequently European hydropower in the wider world.
An initial online consultation took place, with replies from over 100 experts which were used to define the workflow and topics to be addressed in the First Expert Group Meeting. This consultation focused on topics such as:
- What are the main needs and priorities for Research & Innovation in hydropower?
- What is the current status of hydropower technology?
- What are the main challenges that the sector faces in terms of innovation?
- What kind of funding is needed?
This First Expert Group Meeting took place on the 13th and 14th March in Brussels with 28 experts present from 13 different countries.
At the start of the meeting, Anton Schleiss, honorary president of ICOLD, stated: “From today, with the input of the top experts in Europe, we will help shape Hydropower in Europe. Together we will contribute to the European Energy Transition with Hydropower’s essential role.”
The first drafts of the Agenda and Roadmap were presented in the beginning of the meeting. Following the discussions and exchanges, the experts’ input will now be used to continue their development. These documents will in the future provide a guide for funding authorities and, in particular, the European Commission to prioritise support where it is most needed, thus adapting the sector to the constantly evolving energy system.
A wider online consultation will take place in the Summer of 2019, following on the latest developments of the Agenda and Roadmap.
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RENEXPO 2019
The event provided an overview of ongoing initiatives and projects on (small) hydropower to address both domestic and world market developments. The the event was to show a wide audience the developments happening in the hydropower industry in Southeastern Europe, to cultivate old contacts and establish new ones. Speakers from various countries showcased the best practice examples, their latest innovations and challenges.
HYDROPOWER EUROPE visited ITCOLD in Palermo
ITCOLD, the Italian Committee on Large Dams, set up a Working Group to assess how dam owners’ actions addressed to the sustainable host territories development are perceived by the other stakeholders present in the same territory. The main aim of the ITCOLD activity is to facilitate the dialogue and the intercommunication between two worlds that often have conflictual or even opposite interests.
HYDROPOWER EUROPE presented at the Opening Session of HYDRO 2019 in Porto, Portugal
During the opening session of the Hydro 2019 conference: Concept to closure: Practical steps in Porto, Portugal, 14 October 2019. Prof. Anton Schleiss and Jean-Jacques Fry were invited to present in a keynote address the latest results of the HYDROPOWER EUROPE project.
Prof. Anton Schleiss presents HYDROPOWER EUROPE at the 11th ICOLD Europe Symposium in Crete, Greece
Prof. Anton Schleiss was invited as a keynote speaker at the 11th ICOLD European Club Symposium in Chania, Crete, 2-4 October 2019 which attracted about 200 participants. The keynote entitled ‘The importance of hydropower development for the energy transition in Europe’ was given on October 3
About Fish-Friendly Hydropower Workshop
HYDROPOWER EUROPE partners participated in FIThydro Stakeholder Workshop on Fish-Friendly Hydropower organised in the context of FIThydro, a 4-year EU-funded H2020 research project (2016-2020). This project addresses the decision support in commissioning and operating hydropower plants by the use of existing and innovative technologies.
Happy New Year for 2020
With your support into the next decade to reinforce hydropower as a catalyst for the energy transition in Europe. The HYDROPOWER EUROPE FORUM would like to wish you a Happy New Year for 2020!
New HYDROPOWER EUROPE video
At the World Hydropower Congress 2019, HYDROPOWER EUROPE premiered its video, detailing its vision and the important role hydropower will play in the Energy Transition. HYDROPOWER EUROPE will provide a focal point for reviewing and developing hydropower in Europe - watch the video below to learn