Project description
Technologies for environmentally sustainable hydropower
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.
Objective
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.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringelectric energy
- social sciencessociologydemographymortality
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesfreshwater biology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyhydroelectricity
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
80333 Muenchen
Germany
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Participants (26)
1000-043 Lisboa
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75794 Paris
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
86034 Poitiers Cedex
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34004 Palencia
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8092 Zuerich
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12489 Berlin
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7491 Trondheim
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7465 Trondheim
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12616 Tallinn
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HU6 7RX Hull
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10717 BERLIN
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
71522 BACKNANG
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
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5400 Baden
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86150 Augsburg
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3013 Bern
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1300 365 Lisboa
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1120 Wien
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5400 Baden
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09400 Burgos
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
0216 Oslo
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40221 Dusseldorf
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1150 Wien
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89522 Heidenheim An Der Brenz
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0283 Oslo
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