Dr Byman Hamududu, Researcher, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Hydropower is influenced by climate change, but it can also contribute to alleviating the problem. Panellists will present and discuss four aspects of these relationships: Science and uncertainty relating to the impact of climate change on hydrology; Reviewing the relationship between hydropower and the natural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the river basin; Methods and incentives to use hydropower to offset GHG emissions from more carbon-intensive sources of energy; and assessing the role of hydropower infrastructure in the face of increasing floods and drought. For more information about this event, visit: http://ihacongress.org

1. Dr Byman Hamududu
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Hydropower’s vulnerability to Climate Change
Presented at the
IHA 2013 World Congress

2. 1
Hydropower’s vulnerability to Climate Change
Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering
Byman Hamududu,
Prof. Aanund Killingtveit

3. 2
• Imperfect knowledge of climate system
• Response of temperature increase in
CO2.
• Eco System’s response to temperature
rise
• Wide range of climate projections
• Wide array of possible outcomes
• Further steps increase uncertainty
Uncertainties

4. 3
State of Knowledge
 Few research studies on the issue
 Changes in hydrology and water resources situation
 Quantity
 Timing
 Variability –Extremes
 Competition
 Changes in Production patterns
 Operational challenges
 Handling floods and dam safety
 Sediments
 Storage needs
 Economic impacts
IHA Congress
(SRREN 2011)

5. 4
• Climate
variables
from GCM
Climate
Model
• Apply change
factors to high
resolution
historical data
Downscaling
• Simulated
Stream
flows
Hydrological
Modeling
• Regulated
stream flow,
power
generation
Hydropower
Model
Changes in stream flow, power
generation and revenues
Climate variables
at large scales

6. 5
IHA Congress

7. 6
Challenges
• Uncertainty reduction
– Improved resolution in Climate models
– Improved paramerisation
• CODEX project
• Hydropower Operations
• Dam safety
• Hydrology risk in investment / designs

8. 7
Thank you!