The UN's climate panel (IPCC) and nature panel (IPBES) have established that we have major challenges in halting both climate change and the loss of natural diversity. Natural encroachment and destruction of natural areas is the most important threat to species diversity in Norway. Sustainable land management will not only involve protecting untouched nature, but also restoring damaged nature.
Environmental design can improve the environment in the river
By using the environmental design methodology, bottlenecks for fish production can be identified and the environmental condition of the river can be improved.
Restoration of growth or spawning areas and/or environmentally adapted release of water will be able to provide better conditions for fish while minimizing loss of power production.
Knowledge of fish migration and interdisciplinary cooperation on technological solutions provide new opportunities where fish were previously prevented from migrating up or down past hydropower plants.
More energy from existing hydropower
The development of new renewable energy will contribute to the loss of biological diversity. A more sustainable solution would be to get more energy out of existing hydropower plants. By upgrading and/or expanding existing hydropower plants, we will be able to get more power out of the existing hydropower system with minimal new land interventions. HydroCen is researching the potential for upgrading and expanding hydropower while safeguarding the environment.