The SHAREe – Sustainable Hydropower to Alleviate and Reduce Environmental Externalities project, which ran from January 2023 to June 2024, has successfully concluded. This one-and-a-half-year collaboration brought together researchers from CERIS/IST-ID, led by Isabel Boavida, and NTNU, led by Tor Haakon Bakken and Knut Alfredson. The project wrapped up with a thought-provoking seminar on Sustainable Hydropower, marking the end of an intense period of cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
The SHAREe project sought to expand the understanding of environmental measures that can make hydropower more sustainable by facilitating the exchange of experiences between countries and building a network for future hydropower initiatives. Norway, a leader in hydropower production, with nearly 90% of its energy derived from renewable sources, shared its expertise in environmental mitigation strategies. Portugal, meanwhile, provided insights into the challenges it faces in ensuring sustainable hydropower development amid the growing threat of climate change.
The project’s notable achievements include:
- Best Practices Overview: A comparative analysis of sustainable hydropower techniques and environmental strategies from Norway and Portugal.
- Horizon Scan on Sustainable Hydropower: A forward-looking assessment that identifies emerging global challenges and opportunities in hydropower over the next 5-10 years.
- Sustainable Hydropower Seminar: Held in Lisbon on April 2, 2024, this seminar highlighted insights from Norway’s hydropower sector and offered key lessons for international hydropower development.
The partnership between Portugal and Norway resulted in a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge, fostering a deeper understanding of each country’s unique position in the hydropower sector. This collaboration also created new opportunities for academic research, including joint research projects and internships for PhD students, reinforcing the academic bond between the two nations.
As the SHAREe project concludes, it leaves behind a strengthened network of cooperation between the academic communities in Norway and Portugal, with the potential for future collaborations. Stay tuned for the next steps in advancing sustainable hydropower development!
