Electricty Production by Small Hydroelectric Power Plants

Hydropower is an essential component of renewable energies and of reducing the greenhouse effect.

In France, as in Europe, major hydroelectric schemes were built in past decades. Because of their high capitalization requirements and long lifespans, "large" hydropower is no longer a major development in Europe. However, it remains a fundamental element in the regulation and stability of large interconnected networks, thanks to its flexibility of use, rapid response and availability. These qualities are increasingly essential to compensate for the irregularity of wind and solar generation.

National and European regulations favoring the development of renewable energies have been put in place to reduce the production of energy that pollutes or accentuates the greenhouse effect. The energy transition called for by COP 21 has set ambitious targets. Pricing policies have been proposed to industry to develop renewable energies, and small-scale hydropower remains the best response to the challenges of ecological production.

In developing countries, the role of small hydropower plants is more important, as networks are less powerful and the diversity of hydropower solutions enables local, decentralized production solutions.

Readers interested in the subject can find further information, particularly on machines, at [D 3930] , [D 4008] and [B 4407] .