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Regional Impact Analysis and Sustainability Assessment of Hydropower

English title Regional Impact Analysis and Sustainability Assessment of Hydropower
Applicant Hediger Werner
Number 154004
Funding scheme NRP 70 Energy Turnaround
Research institution Zentrum für wirtschaftspolitische Forschung HTW Chur
Institution of higher education The University of Applied Sciences of Grisons - FHGR
Main discipline Economics
Start/End 01.12.2014 - 31.05.2018
Approved amount 407'388.00
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All Disciplines (3)

Discipline
Economics
Science of management
Social geography and ecology

Keywords (5)

regional impact assessment; hydropower; sustainability assessment; corporate social resposibility; actor network

Lay Summary (German)

Lead
Eine umfassende Nachhaltigkeitsbeurteilung und Analyse der regionalwirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen von Wasserkraftanlagen steht im Zentrum dieses Projektes. Die Resultate sollen Forschenden sowie privaten und öffentlichen Entscheidungsträgern, die im Projekt involviert sind, zukommen und dem Erreichen Ziele der Energiestrategie 2050 und einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung beitragen.
Lay summary

Die Wasserkraft ist ein wichtiger Pfeiler der Energiestrategie des Bundes. Ziel dieses Projektes ist die umfassende Beurteilung der Nachhaltigkeit von Wasserkraftprojekten, einschliesslich der regionalwirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen derartiger Anlagen während Bau und Betrieb. Dabei soll die am Bundesamt für Raumentwicklung ARE entwickelte Methode der Nachhaltigkeitsbeurteilung erstmals auf Wasserkraftprojekte angepasst und angewandt werden. Neben der Beurteilung aus Sicht des regionalen Systems wird auch eine Übersetzung der Unternehmensebene erfolgen (Stichwort: soziale Verantwortung von Unternehmen). Die Resultate werden dann den anderen Verbundprojekten von „HP Future“ (Zukunft der Wasserkraft in der Schweiz) sowie privaten und öffentlichen Entscheidungsträgern, die im Projekt involviert sind, zukommen.

Insgesamt soll das Projekt dazu beitragen, Zielkonflikte beim Bau und Betrieb von Wasserkraftanlagen in der kurzen und langen Frist offenzulegen und auf dieses Weise zu einem informierten Stakeholder-Dialog in regionalen Netzwerken und Workshops und eine frühzeitige Optimierung von Projekten zu unterstützen.

Um dies zu realisieren und zum Erreichen der Oberziele der Energiestrategie 2050 und der nachhaltigen Entwicklung beizutragen, werden verschiedene Elemente einer umfassenden Beurteilung von Wasserkraftanlagen in kohärenter und methodisch sauberer Weise zusammengeführt und dokumentiert.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 06.10.2014

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Employees

Publications

Publication
Framework for Decision-Making Process in Granting Rights to Use Hydropower in the European Context
Voegeli Guillaume, Gaudard Ludovic, Romerio Franco, Hediger Werner (2018), Framework for Decision-Making Process in Granting Rights to Use Hydropower in the European Context, in Water, 10(7), 930.
Den Ausbau der Schweizer Wasserkraft nachhaltig planen und umsetzen – Lehren aus einem Stakeholderprozess
Herter Marc, Hediger Werner (2018), Den Ausbau der Schweizer Wasserkraft nachhaltig planen und umsetzen – Lehren aus einem Stakeholderprozess, Zentrum für wirtschaftspolitische Forschung, HTW Chur, Chur.
The Future of Swiss Hydropower: Is there money left some-where?
Barry M., Baur P., G (2017), The Future of Swiss Hydropower: Is there money left some-where?, Forschungsstelle Nachhaltige Energie- und Wasserversorgung FoNEW, Universität Basel, Basel.
The Future of Swiss Hydropower: A Review on Drivers and Uncertainties
M. Barry P. Baur L. Gaudard G. Giuliani W. Hediger F. Romerio-Giudici M. Schillinger R. Schum (2015), The Future of Swiss Hydropower: A Review on Drivers and Uncertainties, Forschungsstelle für Nachhaltige Energie- und Wasserversorgung (FoNEW), Basel.
L’hydroélectrique en Suisse du début du XXe siècle jusqu’au ‘virage énergétique
Gaudard L. Romerio F. Voegeli G., L’hydroélectrique en Suisse du début du XXe siècle jusqu’au ‘virage énergétique, in Revue Historique Vaudoise.

Collaboration

Group / person Country
Types of collaboration
Lutz E. Schlange, FHO-HTW Chur Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Publication
Franco Romerio-Giudici (University of Geneva) Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Publication
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
Repower AG Switzerland (Europe)
- Industry/business/other use-inspired collaboration
Azienda elettrica ticinese (AET) Switzerland (Europe)
- Industry/business/other use-inspired collaboration
Alpines Energieforschungscenter Disentis Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Industry/business/other use-inspired collaboration

Scientific events

Active participation

Title Type of contribution Title of article or contribution Date Place Persons involved
41st IAEE International Conference Talk given at a conference Regional Impact and Sustainability Assessment of Hydropower: Methodology and Application to Swiss Case Studies 10.06.2018 Groningen, Netherlands Hediger Werner; Giuliani Gianluca; Schlange Lutz E.; Herter Marc;
ForumAlpinum 2018 and the 7th Water Conference Talk given at a conference Sustainability assessment of hydropower from a stakeholder perspective 04.06.2018 Breitenwang, Austria Herter Marc; Schlange Lutz E.; Giuliani Gianluca; Hediger Werner;
RSA Annual Conference 2018 Talk given at a conference Hydropower – a key to sustainable regional development in the Swiss Alps 03.06.2018 Lugano, Switzerland Hediger Werner; Herter Marc;
Energieforschungsgespräche Disentis 2018 Talk given at a conference Regionalwirtschaftliche Auswirkungen und Nachhaltigkeitsbeurteilung von Wasserkraftprojekten in der Schweiz 24.01.2018 Disentis/Muster, Switzerland Herter Marc; Hediger Werner;
International and Interdisciplinary Euregio Conference “Water as a Natural Resource in a Changing Environment: Quality, Threats and Sustainable Use” Talk given at a conference Regional Impact and Sustainability Assessment of Hydropower 12.12.2017 Bozen, Italy Hediger Werner;
SCCER-SoE Annual Conference 2017 Poster Will the path toward sustainability kill Swiss hydropower? 14.09.2017 Birmensdorf, Switzerland Hediger Werner; Voegeli Guillaume;
15th IAEE European Conference 2017 Talk given at a conference Swiss hydropower concession renewal: Where is the path toward sustainability leading us? 04.09.2017 Wien, Austria Voegeli Guillaume; Hediger Werner;
2nd PhD in Transition Conference, EPFL Talk given at a conference Sustainability perspective on Swiss hydropower concession renewal 27.04.2017 Lausanne, Switzerland Voegeli Guillaume;
Energieforschungsgespräche Disentis 2017 Talk given at a conference Stakeholderprozesse zu Wasserkraftprojekten 25.01.2017 Disentis/Muster, Switzerland Giuliani Gianluca; Schlange Lutz E.;
Energieforschungsgespräche Disentis 2017 Talk given at a conference Corporate Social Responsibility of Hydropower Companies in Alpine Regions – A welfare-economic approach 25.01.2017 Disentis/Muster, Switzerland Hediger Werner;
Energieforschungsgespräche Disentis 2017 Talk given at a conference Framework for Decision-making Process in Granting Rights to Use Hydropower in the European Context 25.01.2017 Disentis/Muster, Switzerland Voegeli Guillaume; Romerio-Giudici Franco; Hediger Werner;
RME Research Conference 2016 Talk given at a conference SDG Implementation in a Federal System – the Case of Switzerland: A Regional Policy Perspective 09.11.2016 Krems, Austria Hediger Werner;
Seminar TH Deggendorf Individual talk The Corporate Social Responsibility of Hydropower Companies in Alpine Regions – A welfare-economic approach 08.11.2016 Deggendorf, Germany Hediger Werner;
SCCER-SoE Annual Conference 2016 Poster Concession Renewal 12.09.2016 Sion, Switzerland Voegeli Guillaume; Hediger Werner;
SCCER-SoE Annual Conference 2016 Poster The Future of Swiss Hydropower: Sustainability Assessment 12.09.2016 Sion, Switzerland Voegeli Guillaume; Hediger Werner;
39th IAEE International Conference Talk given at a conference Framework for Decision-Making Process in Granting Rights to Use Hydropower in the European Context 19.06.2016 Bergen, Norway Hediger Werner; Voegeli Guillaume; Romerio-Giudici Franco;
39th IAEE International Conference Talk given at a conference The Corporate Social Responsibility of Hydropower Companies in Alpine Regions – A welfare-economic approach 19.06.2016 Bergen, Norway Hediger Werner;
Mountain Workshop: Arbeitsgruppe Energieforschung Alpen Talk given at a conference Sustainability Assessment of Swiss Hydropower 09.06.2016 Bern, Switzerland Hediger Werner; Baur Patrick;
Energy Research Days Disentis 2016 Talk given at a conference The Future of Swiss Hydropower 29.01.2016 Disentis/Mustér, Switzerland Hediger Werner;
Journée de l' environnement Poster Future of Swiss Hydropower: Regional Impact Analysis and Sustainability Assessment of HP 04.12.2015 Geneva, Switzerland Voegeli Guillaume;
SCCER-SoE Annual Conference 2015 Poster The Future of Swiss Hydropower: A Review on Drivers and Uncertainties» 10.09.2015 Neuchâtel, Switzerland Schlange Lutz E.; Romerio-Giudici Franco; Giuliani Gianluca; Baur Patrick; Voegeli Guillaume; Hediger Werner;
Sustainable Use of Resources – from Evidence to Intervention Poster The Future of Swiss Hydropower: An Integrated Assessment of Operation, Investment and Sustainability 29.01.2015 Basel, Switzerland Hediger Werner; Voegeli Guillaume;


Knowledge transfer events

Active participation

Title Type of contribution Date Place Persons involved
Fachtagung Wasserkraft: Zukunft Wasserkraft – im Spannungsfeld von Politik, Markt und Gesellschaft Talk 27.06.2018 Olten, Switzerland Hediger Werner;
Energieforschungsgespräche Disentis 2018 Workshop 24.01.2018 Disentis/Muster, Switzerland Herter Marc; Hediger Werner;
Energieforschungsgespräche Disentis 2018 Talk 24.01.2018 Disentis/Muster, Switzerland Hediger Werner;
Landtagung Pro Rätia: Was wird aus unseren Täler wenn die Wasserzinsen wegfallen? Talk 30.09.2017 Soglio, Switzerland Hediger Werner;
10. Gesprächskreis zur Wirtschaftspolitik: "Die Energiewende und das Berggebiet" Talk 27.09.2017 Chur, Switzerland Hediger Werner;
Energieforschungsgespräche Disentis 2017 Talk 26.01.2017 Disentis/Muster, Switzerland Hediger Werner;
Energieforschungsgespräche Disentis 2016 Talk 28.01.2016 Disentis/Mustér, Switzerland Giuliani Gianluca;
Forschung Live Workshop 20.06.2015 Davos, Switzerland Baur Patrick; Hediger Werner;
Forschung Live Poster 20.06.2015 Davos, Switzerland Baur Patrick; Hediger Werner;
Forschung Live Talk 20.06.2015 Davos, Switzerland Hediger Werner; Baur Patrick;


Self-organised

Title Date Place
10. Gesprächskreis zur Wirtschaftspolitik: "Die Energiewende und das Berggebiet" 27.09.2017 Chur, Switzerland
Workshop: The Future of Swiss Hydropower 28.10.2016 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Workshop: The Future of Swiss Hydropower 12.03.2015 Bern, Switzerland

Communication with the public

Communication Title Media Place Year
Media relations: print media, online media ). La risposta svizzera allo squilibrio: la compensazione fiscale Sentieri Urbani / Urban Tracks International 2018
Talks/events/exhibitions Energieforschungsgespräche Disentis 2018 German-speaking Switzerland 2018
Media relations: print media, online media Wasserkraft: Lebensnerv und Schlagader Südostschweiz German-speaking Switzerland 2018
Talks/events/exhibitions 10. Gesprächskreis zur Wirtschaftspolitik: "Die Energiewende und das Berggebiet" German-speaking Switzerland 2017
Other activities Landtagung Pro Rätia: "Was wird aus unseren Täler wenn die Wasserzinsen wegfallen?" German-speaking Switzerland 2017
Media relations: print media, online media Wasserkraft, Energiewende und nachhaltige Entwicklung: Vielfältige Auswirkungen, schmerzhafte Abwägu Wissensplatz HTW Chur German-speaking Switzerland 2016
Talks/events/exhibitions Forschung Live German-speaking Switzerland 2015

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
174767 Sustainability assessment of hydropower projects based on stakeholder perspectives: Definition and interconnection evaluation of criteria for an Icelandic case study. 01.01.2018 Doc.Mobility

Abstract

This project is to provide comprehensive impact analyses and sustainability assessments of hydropower projects and operations (generic framework and case studies). This will be based on an adaptation of the sustainability assessment method elaborated at the Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE to the analysis of hydropower projects and operations, which has not been done so far. It will include two major phases: 1) the comprehensive assessment from a regional (system) perspective, and 2) translation of the results into a corporate social responsibility (value chain) assessment. The respective results shall feed back into the other projects of the joint project “HP Future” as well as to the private and public decision makers involved. It shall a) reveal conflicting goals of HP projects and operations in the short and long run and thus facilitate informed stakeholder dialogue (in regional actors’ networks and workshops with stakeholders) and b) project optimization at an early stage. The aim of this project is to put together the different pieces of a comprehensive assessment of hydropower activities in a coherent and methodologically sound manner, and thus contribute to the overall goals of the Energy Strategy 2050 and the overarching goal of sustainable development.
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