Hydropower Operations and Planning

Although hydraulic generation has evolved through many decades of technological change and environmental regulation, it continues to demonstrate an enviable track record of outstanding performance. It now operates in a world of unparalleled change with new paradigms which include: the competitive pressures of deregulation; increasing consumer reliance on hydropower’s relative low cost and greenhouse gas emission-free source of energy; high stakeholder expectations; and ever increasing investor, government and public scrutiny. Many of the changes and challenges facing the industry such as climate variability and greenhouse gas emissions are beyond the control but impact the hydropower water manager.

The long term strategic direction of this group will be to develop new and innovative technological approaches and options to support the role of the water manager in managing and enhancing the underlying fundamental value of the industry, and to provide a knowledge-based leading edge technological resource to assist the hydropower industry in meeting its many new challenges.

Topics and Issues:

• Watershed Management
• Meteorology and Hydrology
• Data Acquisition, Validation and Dissemination
• Hydraulics and Hydraulic Structures
• Planning, Operation and Risk Management
• Hydropower Operation and Environmental Concerns
• Waterways and Public Safety