HYDRO2015: International Conference and Exhibition

The international hydropower community will return to France for HYDRO 2015. With world hydro capacity now standing at around 1060 GW, almost 200 GW under construction, and at least a further 400 GW likely to go ahead within 5-10 years, the multiple benefits of this renewable resource are clearly more widely appreciated. 

Topics for HYDRO 2015 will include: progress and challenges for large regional schemes in developing countries, the importance of multipurpose developments, the role of mini hydro, ensuring the safety of water infrastructure, and  maximizing the benefits of existing powerplants by timely refurbishment and upgrading.

Full details of the HYDRO 2015 sessions, panel discussions and workshops will be available shortly, when the Final Bulletin is published.

Meanwhile the following highlights offer a brief preview of what the programme will offer:

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Presentations will outline the hydropower development plans of some of the developing countries with the greatest potential and urgent needs to commission more capacity.

FUNDING AND STRUCTURING OF PROJECTS: Representatives of international financing institutions and specialists from the hydropower profession will discuss, among other topics: the influence of power sector reforms on investment opportunities in some developing countries, a long-term view on concession agreements, new approaches to the structuring of projects, and the management of uncertainties and risk in project development.

IEA SESSIONS: The International Energy Agency will lead four sessions, comprising presentations and inter-active discussions, reflecting the work of its Annexes on Hydropower services, greenhouse gas emissions from reservoirs, fish protection, and hydropower upgrades.

LEARNING FROM TRAGEDY: A high level panel discussion is being organized, in the light of the recent earthquake and major aftershocks in Nepal, and the effects on the country’s hydropower stations. Experts in seismology, dam engineering, and disaster management will participate from Nepal, China, Japan, USA and Europe.

SAFETY: The structural safety of hydraulic works continues to be the most important issue for the engineering profession; this is particularly the case today in the light of ageing infrastructure, extreme climatic events, and in some cases changes in land use around facilities. Experts in Bordeaux will discuss the safety of dams and powerplants, gates, penstocks and underground works.

CLIMATE ISSUES: Especially in the light of COP21 taking place in Paris shortly after HYDRO 2015, a discussion is planned on the future role of hydropower in increasingly de-carbonized energy production, in the context of targets for climate change mitigation, and ever-more stringent environmental regulation. To bring a fresh perspective on these topics, students will be encouraged to inter-act with experts in the profession.

HYDRO TECHNOLOGY: Sessions will cover topical aspects of hydraulic and electrical machinery, pumped storage, marine energy, small hydro, operation and maintenance, powerplant upgrades, and will include research and development, innovative and environment-friendly design, and operational issues.

CIVIL ENGINEERING: Topics will include innovative dam design and construction, a special focus on RCC dams, challenging underground works, and flood discharge facilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS: These important issues feature in a number of sessions, including evaporation from reservoirs, fish protection, participatory approaches to planning, and impact assessment methods.