Fine-Tuning Observations to Better Manage and Design Hydroelectricity Assets

The hydroelectric sector stands to benefit from some aspects of climate change, such as increased flows due to melting glaciers. To take advantage of these potential opportunities, however, requires considerable knowledge of climate change projections and hydroelectric generation. Landsvirkjun, the National Power Company of Iceland, has become a leader in this field during the last 15 years. In collaboration with other power companies, universities and meteorological services across Scandinavia, Landsvirkjun has produced data on the river flows that incorporate climate trends. Every five years, the company uses the data to adjust its reservoir-management plans. Landsvirkjun also uses the long-term perspective provided by climate projections to design and adjust existing and proposed new assets to take advantage of anticipated increases in flow rates.