F1IE 4425 - The Role of Hydropower in Clean Energy Transitions

Hydropower is the backbone of low-carbon electricity generation, providing almost half of it worldwide today. Hydropower's contribution is 55% higher than nuclear's and larger than that of all other renewables combined, including wind, solar PV, bioenergy and geothermal. In 2020, hydropower supplied one sixth of global electricity generation, the third-largest source after coal and natural gas. Hydropower is expected to play a critical role in supporting electricity security in clean energy transitions because it can produce large amounts of low-carbon electricity and provide a substantial part of the flexibility that is required to enable faster and cost-effective deployment and system integration of solar PV and wind. Beyond electricity supply, hydropower infrastructure enables multiple benefits for managing water resources needed for critical public services such as such as irrigation, flood prevention and water supplies. Hydropower development is also a very controversial and political topic considering its impact on local population, environment and sustainability.
The course will cover all aspects of hydropower including :
1) policy
2) economics
3) multi-purpose benefits
4) sustainability
5) flexibility and storage
with an interdisciplinary approach combining technical, economical, financial, societal, policy and geopolitical elements. Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand the role of hydropower in clean energy transitions from different perspectives including policy, economics, sustainability and geopolitics
2. Understand flexibility and storage benefits of hydropower for the integration of wind and solar PV
3. Understand controversial issues concerning sustainability and social impacts of hydropower
4. Understand the economics of hydropower in the context of liberalized and vertically integrated electricity markets.

Professional Skills:
-Students will learn to look at a complex issue from a holistic an interdisciplinary perspective.
-Students will learn to solve complex interdisciplinary problems, drafting executive papers/presentations and participate in debates on controversial topics on hydropower.
-Students will learn to work both individually as well as in groups.

Heymi BAHAR

Séminaire

English

Course workload:
- In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 12 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 2 hours a week / 12 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 1.5 hours a week / 9 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 2 hours a week / 12 hours a semester

Basic knowledge on renewables energy policies, economics and electricity markets

Spring 2024-2025

Assessment:
Executive briefing note (3 pages) – 25%
Case study summary (4-5 pages) – 20%
Policy design (2 pages) – 20%
Group presentations and debate – 25%
Class participation – 10%