Catchment-Scale Optimization Model for Planning Small-HydroPower Design, Location and Operation

Small HydroPower (SHP) is a renewable energy production practice that has been expanding over the last decades in several countries worldwide. The environmental impact of SHP is up to now controversial, and an adequate theory to plan, design and operate SHP while optimizing both ecological and economical performances is still missing. The aim of this work is twofold (order may change at occurrence): first, the global-efficiency SHP stream scale operational model that has recently been proposed by the proponent will be tested on several real SHP plants. In particular, the global (i.e. economical and ecological) efficiency plot resulting from imposing non-proportional water redistribution policies at the river intake will be build for all available SHP plants. This will allow to identify dynamic operational rules that improve the performances of existing SHPPs and to perform cluster analysis to classify the role of hydrological, ecological and economical drivers. Second, the existing stream-scale model will be coupled to an existing large-scale genetic-algorithms model that optimizes the positioning of SHP within a catchment according to energy production and environmental impact constraints. The final catchment- scale model arising from this project will be conceived and developed with the goal of identifying the number and related optimal location of SHPPs within a catchment that allow to maximizing energy production under dynamic environmental flow rules while respecting economical and ecological constraints. As such, this model will be of great interest to any engineering office involved in SHPP design and management, as well as to stream ecologists and water managers to evaluate the performances of both existing and new SHPPs in a quantitative fashion.

This project involves notable data analysis and computer programming skills. A background in river mechanics/hydraulics/fluid mechanics plus a basic knowledge of ecology and ecosystem functioning of riverine environments are required. Past experience in the sector originating from the development of Master or Bachelor theses and specific scientific publications are a plus.

Environmental engineers, physicists and applied mathematicians are particularly encouraged to apply, although deep consideration will also be given to applicants from closer disciplines that meet the requisites above.

This PhD project will be developed at the Institute for Infrastructure and Environment of the School of Engineering of The University of Edinburgh. The desired starting date is January 2016, and the related duration is conformal to standard PhD programs of the School/College.

Collaborations with both national and international hydropower companies and water associations are expected, as well as with the Surface Waters - Research and Management (Surf) Department of the Swiss Institute for Aquatic Research (EAWAG), particularly Dr. Martin Schmid and Dr. Philipp Meier.