www.iteco.ch/Renewable Energy & Water/Hydropower/Small hydropower - strategy & promotion

Small hydropower promotion

ITECO works to promote the benefits of small hydropower at various levels and with different focus points. We are active in:

  • providing information and counselling;
  • promoting small hydropower;
  • assisting to bring innovative ideas and concepts to the market;
  • supplying background information at the political level and campaigning publicly and in the legislature for a higher profile to be given to renewable energy in general, and small hydro in particular; and
  • providing a variety of services to both Government and private clients.

A summary of our activities is shown below...

DIANE / Energie 2000 / Small hydropower promotion programme SwissEnergy

Since 1992, the project has formed an important and autonomous part of the renewable energy promotion of the Swiss Federal Government programmes "DIANE", "Energy 2000", and "Swissenergy" - ITECO carried out investigations of the possibilities of increasing energy production from renewable and alternative resources and to initiate through provision of initial technical and financial support to owners and investors as well as media work for the general public.

 

Assessment of the potential for small hydropower installations in Switzerland

ITECO compiled a complete inventory of about 1500 currently abandoned sites and prepared a small database management system. This was used to make a selection of the best sites (based on both technical and financial viability) for re-activation. The study was followed up by a countrywide survey of existing utilised and abandoned water rights for hydropower production facilities with an actual or theoretical generating capacity of less than 300 kW.

 

Pico hydropower plants (smaller than micro!)
ITECO researched and published a handbook for owners of both existing pico (plants having a generating capacity less than 30kW) and micro hydro plants and potential micro hydro plant developers in Switzerland and Europe.

 

 

Swiss association of small hydropower plant owners (ISKB/ADUR)

ITECO provided institutional, organisational, managerial, administrative, legal and political support to the Swiss Association of Small Hydropower Plant Owners in both the German and French speaking parts of Switzerland.

 

Information about small hydropower in Switzerland

small hydropower switzerland

ITECO's Head of Renewable Energies and Water Section provides expert advice in small hydropower through an 'Infostelle' or information hotline. The telephone number is +41 (0)44 762 18 70 for further information.