Hydropower 2.0 Powering green transition in a more sustainable way: Project RE-HYDRO

Modernizing hydropower is increasingly recognized as a key strategy for restoring the biodiversity of rivers. However, factors beyond ecological benefits often influence decisions regarding hydropower operations and management. Historically, the needs of local populations and environmental considerations have not been prioritized. Modernising hydropower is inherently transdisciplinary, requiring a balance of multiple objectives. In RE-HYDRO project, we developed an integrated framework to address these complex challenges for case studies in Finland and Sweden. This work involves not only hydrological and hydraulic modelling of regulated rivers but also a) assessing the faunistic biodiversity in the riparian zones affected by hydropower and b) examining the effects of hydropower on local identity and the cultural environment. This comprehensive approach would allow us to evaluate the biodiversity dynamics and explore the potential for habitat restoration in these regulated rivers while updating the hydropower management with climate change.