S.M.A.R.T. - Strategies to proMote small scAle hydro electRicity producTion in Europe

Programme area:

Intelligent Energy For Europe, ALTENER, Renewable Energy, Small Hydropower

Partners:

• Province of Cremona – Cremona, Italy;
• CESI RICERCA, Milan, Italy;
• University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Zagreb, Croatia;
• Karlovac Regional Authority, Karlovac, Croatia;
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway;
• Regional Secretariat of Attica, Athens, Greece;
• Energieagentur Waldviertel non-profit agency, Thaya, Austria.

Objective:

To reduce the non-technological barriers that limit the spread of distributed generation in Europe.

Most Important Benefits:

The study of standard procedures related to water concessions for hydroelectric energy production and the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of each regulation, that will be collected into an handbook very useful for the public administrations of the all Europe. A database concerning new otpimal sites for implementing Small Hydro Power Plants in the territories of the partnership very useful of the private stackholders.

Duration:

01/2008 – 01/2011

Description:

The SMART proposal address to important barriers for the expansion of small-scale hydro electricity production in Europe: the lack of suitable support methodologies and tools able to create a clear view of the mini-hydro potential in the territory, the complexity of the legal/administrative processes to obtain concessions, the economical/financial attraction of private investors. Our main objective is to give clear contributions to pull down these non-technological barriers, as helpful tools for European, national, regional and local authority decision-makers for increasing the implementation of small-scale hydro electricity plants. We will define policies, methodologies & tools to improve water resources management, to better communicate, disseminate opportunities to investors, and to increase the interest of stakeholders to invest in small scale electric plant. Five representative regions in the partner countries will serve as learning areas about strategic actions. A mix of disseminating tools, website, contact points, publications, meetings and workshops will be carried out.

Expected results:  

The SMART project intends to reach the following direct outcomes: development of a handbook with the review of local administrative procedures to derive water in the countries of the partnership, define weak points and propose new strategies and review of the legal and institutional procedures to connect the small scale hydro plants to the national electricity network; evaluation of water availability distribution and optimization of water resources management to improve small scale hydro plants implementation, considering water availability and geodetic head; diffusion of suitable support methodologies and tools to exploit the SHP improving the RES efficiency; the use of web capabilities to disseminate opportunities to investors; assessment of the possibility to implement private & public join investment regulation to increase the interest of stakeholders to invest in small scale hydro electrical plants;

Who are the key actors and the main target group?

The most important target groups are: Public local authorities that have to give the water use concession; Regional/national organised and transnational decision makers, representing several entities in their country; Investors; Research Centres; Universities; Professional disseminators and multipliers such as energy agencies; Environmental organisations; Non profit organisation.

How to Participate in SMART activities?

SMART activities are open to different stakeholders (Public local authorities, Regional/national decision makers, Investors, Research Centres, Universities) willing to participate. Everyone is welcome to be involved in developing the different activities of the project.