Socio-Technical Viability Framework for Micro Hydropower in Group Water-Energy Schemes

Abstract

Most renewable energy (RE) studies focus on technology readiness, environmental benefits and/or cost savings. The market permeation, viability and adoption of RE technologies such as micro hydropower (MHP), however, require the alignment of other interrelated factors, such as the socio-technical, institutional and political dimensions. This is particularly the case where the energy recovery potential in decentralised water networks is being explored as part of a wholesome sustainability strategy by and for individual and communal prosumers. This study employs a socio-technical approach to understand factors that influence the perceived viability and adoption of MHP in group water-energy schemes. Methods included a progressive literature review to formulate a conceptual framework for the implementation of MHP systems. The framework was validated using survey data from representative stakeholders from groups schemes in Ireland and Spain. These stakeholders were sampled and surveyed at the stage of considering the adoption of MHP in their water networks. The findings highlight the push–pull factors and discusses the opportunities and barriers to the adoption of MHP systems. It confirms that the market, institutional and policy context, cost and financial benefits, social support and collaborative services combine to influence the adoption of MHP technology. Thus, a framework for evaluating the socio-technical viability of MHP systems based on these more realistic integrated, multi-dimensional criteria is proposed.

Hydropower Technology for Sustainable Energy Generation in Wastewater Systems: Learning from the Experience

“…To the best of the authors knowledge, this represents the most comprehensive inventory up to date, with almost 3 times the number of sites included in [63], that only considered 17 existing sites to develop their methodology. These results confirm the lack of awareness about this methodology in the wastewater industry, already highlighted by some authors [46,49,76] and that there might be valuable real experience, which has not been evaluated yet and it could be worthwhile to explore further.…”

“…In this way, some of the energy embedded in the wastewater, that otherwise would be wasted, could be harnessed [46]. However, as observed by some researchers [47][48][49] in the urban water industry there is a general lack of awareness and knowledge about this possibility.…”

“…Only recently have some authors started to suggest the introduction of additional driving factors, other than economic feasibility, in studies of hydropower potential, with a broader perspective based on the sustainability concept [6,61,70]. In their recent work Adeyeye et al [49] presented social viability aspects of hydropower application in urban water systems and Llácer-Iglesias et al [46] also proposed a complementary approach related to energy self-sufficiency, identifying other driving factors for hydropower implementation at WWTPs.…”

“…Moreover, within the current energy framework, economic feasibility is crucial, but, at the same time, a rapidly changing scenario, with different variables in different countries influencing the results [8,76]. Therefore, other strategic factors tailored to the surrounding conditions should be regarded too [46,49]. No specific guidelines for that can be included in this proposal, as decision criteria and suitable ponderation weights should be adapted to the needs and characteristics of the sample of the studied area and, therefore, beyond the scope of this study.…”

The Architecture of Medical and Health Research Buildings and Complexes as The Basis of Sustainable Development

“…It should be emphasized that the combination of these methods makes it possible to obtain an understanding and a comprehensive vector for further sustainable development of the architecture of research complexes, which can be useful both for Ukraine and other developing countries. In the case of Ukraine, the applied methods indicate the need to gradually optimize the number of existing research complexes (built in the Soviet era), which will allow more efficient use of saved resources and construction of new, positively "charged" buildings with the atmosphere of the future [11][12][13][14][15].…”