Skip to Content
Project overview
  • Lead Organisation

    Waratah Power Pty Ltd

    Location

    Sydney, New South Wales

    ARENA Program

    Emerging Renewables Program

  • Start date

    30 April 2012

    End date

    11 December 2014

  • Project Partners
    Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW), NSW Department of Primary Industries, Aquatic Ecosystems (NSW), UNSW Manly Hydraulics Lab
    This hydropower project was completed on 11 December 2014.

Summary

This Small Scale Hydropower Technologies Impact on Australian Native Fish project produced detailed scientific information on the effects small hydro has on native fish species, which could be used to improve the design and operation of small hydro systems.

Need

Large scale hydropower projects already produce the majority of Australia’s renewable energy, but much of the potential expansion of hydropower production lies in the application of small hydropower technologies .

Nationally, there are thousands of irrigation structures and weirs that could be retrofitted to enable small hydropower production for clean electricity production. Globally, small hydropower is growing at a significant rate, with the largest untapped market being on Australia’s doorstep in Asia.

It is important that any small hydro development is progressed with minimal impact on fish and other aquatic fauna. It is understood that some species of fish are susceptible to injury and mortality during downstream migration, but presently there is no information available to help in the sustainable design of small hydro facilities in Australia.

Project innovation

Through a series of laboratory and field trials, the project produced detailed scientific information on the effects small hydro has on native fish species, which could be used to improve the design and operation of small hydro systems.

The establishment of biodesign criteria, based on aquatic species response, will also assist regulatory decision-making as well as guide the design of small hydro technologies and projects in Australia and internationally.

Benefit

Availability of scientific data which can guide the development of fish-friendly small hydropower projects, and enable technologies to be applied at a much wider range of sites with confidence that any potential impacts on fisheries can be reduced.

Enhancing Australia’s expertise in hydropower development and operation, with increased leadership in sustainable hydropower design will facilitate Australia’s hydropower community to engage in projects throughout the world.

Already there has been strong interest in this project from the research community in the United States, Indonesia and the Mekong. The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is now funding an extension of the program with application to Asia’s Mekong River, focussing on local species and conditions.

Last updated 29 January 2021

ARENAWIRE Blogs

How could pumped hydro energy storage power our future?

Reservoirs of water are poised to play a key role storing renewable energy to bolster the grid.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Back to top