The vulnerability of hydropower production in the Zambezi River Basin to the impacts of climate change and irrigation development

Spalding-Fecher, Randall; Chapman, Arthur; Yamba, Francis; Walimwipi, Hartley; Kling, Harald; Tembo, Bernard; Nyambe, Imasiku; Cuamba, Boaventura

doi:10.1007/s11027-014-9619-7

Cited by 38 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Variations in temperature also impact the behavior of other climatic variables (wind speed, humidity, precipitation). Investigations also highlighted the need for joint evaluation of temperature and precipitation, since evapotranspiration and evaporation may counterbalance precipitation [5,6,30]. That is, even if there is an increase in rainfall in some regions, higher temperature would increase the rates of evaporation of the reservoir and evapotranspiration in the basin, generating loss of water to the atmosphere.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, large reservoirs maximise electricity production, ensuring greater energy security of the system during periods of drought [5,31]. However, some factors may affect the decision on the construction of hydroelectric reservoirs such as: building time; greenhouse gas emissions; fragmentation of the rivers; changes in water quality; relocating or displacing humans; interference in migration and spawning fish.…”

Section: Recent Policies For the Development Of Hydropowermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some authors only model precipitation, considering it the higher impact factor on the availability of water for power generation [21]. Other authors propose a combined study between climatic changes and changes in land use [6,7] or between climate changes and demands for irrigation [5]. The inclusion of sediment load assessment in hydroelectric basins tends to be a significant contribution to the study of hydrological models.…”

Section: Regional Scalementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In several regions of the world (e.g., Southeast Asia and South America), the hydroelectric plants are one of the pillars for the production of renewable energy, but, at the same time, they are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change [4]. These changes are causing the majority of the variations in hydroelectric potential [5]. Other factors, such as changes in land use and demand for upstream irrigation, can also influence water availability for energy generation [5][6][7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These changes are causing the majority of the variations in hydroelectric potential [5]. Other factors, such as changes in land use and demand for upstream irrigation, can also influence water availability for energy generation [5][6][7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Overview of Hydropower Reservoirs in Brazil: Current Situation, Future Perspectives and Impacts of Climate Change

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Global climate change, related to the greenhouse gases emission, impacts hydroelectric power generation mainly due to the increase in air temperature and changes in the precipitation patterns. As a consequence, it affects basin evapotranspiration process, runoff, sediment transport as well as evaporation of reservoirs. This study analysed the current and future Brazilian context of hydroelectric reservoirs and investigated the potential impacts of climate change on hydropower generation and possible mitigation adjustments, giving relevant examples from around the world. Moreover, it is key to consider other factors that influence the availability of water resources such as: (a) upstream development of reservoirs, mainly the development of agricultural systems, which can contribute to increased water demand; (b) changes in land use, which can have an impact on soil degradation and sediment transport. Hydroelectric dams are a possible alternative to mitigate the impacts of climate change considering that those impacts could generate the need of adaptive actions. The assessment of climate change impacts' projections anticipates possible future scenarios and can assist in strategic planning together with the definition of adaptive operational policies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Recent Policies For the Development Of Hydropowermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Regional Scalementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate risks to the renewable energy sector: Assessment and adaptation within energy companies

Juhola,

Laurila,

Groundstroem

et al. 2023

Bus Strat Env

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The importance of the renewable energy sector in mitigating climate change has received plenty of attention over the years, but climate risks to the renewable energy sector, and the need for adaptation within energy companies, have been largely overlooked. Subsequently, not much is known about the current state of climate risk assessments and adaptation measures within the renewable energy sector. This study addresses this gap by categorising different types of climate risks faced by renewable energy companies and the measures that are used to prepare and adapt to them. We summarise the existing literature on climate risks and adaptation within the renewable energy sector and carry out an interview‐based qualitative case study regarding energy companies' perception and assessment of climate risks in Finland. The results show that while companies are aware of climate risks, particularly concerning the green transition, climate risks are not comprehensively assessed, and adaptation measures mainly account for direct physical risks with little regard for more systemic and complex risks, such as cross‐border impacts or cascading risks.

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Future hydropower operations in the Zambezi River basin: Climate impacts and adaptation capacity

Arias

Farinosi

Hughes

2022

River Research & Apps

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Southern Africa could experience major hydrological changes in coming decades, bringing drastic changes to hydropower. Focusing on four large hydropower dams in the Kafue and Zambezi Rivers (Itezhi‐Tezhi, Kafue Gorge Upper, Kariba, and Cahora Bassa), accounting for over 90% of the installed capacity in the basin, this study analyzed how these dams have altered river flows in the past, and how hydropower generation could be affected by future climate change and water use scenarios based on dynamically downscaled simulations from the Fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project for a Representative Concentration Pathway of 8.5 W/m2. Future climate change could affect reservoir levels by decreasing water inflows and by increasing evaporation. Results showed a decrease in median annual water levels for all reservoirs, with largest changes expected at Itezhi‐Tezhi (−1.3 to −3.3 m), followed by Cahora Bassa (−0.8 to −2.8 m), Kariba (−0.2 to −0.9), and Kafue Gorge (0.1–0.2 m). Flows downstream of dams show a consistent negative trend, with mean annual flow changes of −30% to −49% at the furthest downstream gauge. The combined reduction in water levels and flows could result in decreases on average annual hydropower generation and increases in interannual variability; annual generation could decrease by −61% to −28% at Kariba, by −51% to −21% at Itezhi‐Tezhi, by −7% to −39% at Kafue Gorge, and −27% to −9% at Cahora Bassa. Reservoir operation optimization could marginally offset the projected changes in hydropower generation, with largest gains for Kariba (+6%) and Cahora Bassa (+10%). Overall, opportunities to offset losses via operations would probably decrease with the expected drier climate and escalating reduction in river discharge and water availability. Given these negative projections, it is becoming critical to adapt and coordinate reservoir operations to best cope with the expected challenging future in this important river basin.

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The vulnerability of hydropower production in the Zambezi River Basin to the impacts of climate change and irrigation development

Cited by 38 publications

References 39 publications

An Overview of Hydropower Reservoirs in Brazil: Current Situation, Future Perspectives and Impacts of Climate Change

An Overview of Hydropower Reservoirs in Brazil: Current Situation, Future Perspectives and Impacts of Climate Change

Climate risks to the renewable energy sector: Assessment and adaptation within energy companies

Future hydropower operations in the Zambezi River basin: Climate impacts and adaptation capacity

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