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There are approximately 2.5 million small rivers in the Russian Federation, whose energy potential is estimated at 382 billion kWh. In the middle of the 20th century, the creation of large hydropower plants (HPPs) became a priority in the Russian energy sector. As a result, the maintenance and operation of a significant part of small HPPs (SHPPs) were suspended. Currently, about 10% of previously built SHPPs remain in operation. This article discusses the development history, existing problems, and future prospects for SHPPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the hydroelectric power potential of ungauged or poorly gauged basins gains importance parallel with the increasing electricity consumption. This study presents some simple methods to predict flow to determine the hydroelectric power potential of poorly gauged basins, such as the precipitation-elevation, average precipitation, and average basin elevation methods. Results of these methods are compared with the available flow measurements. The poorly gauged Solaklı Basin, which is located in Trabzon, in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey, is selected as the pilot area. The hydroelectric power potential of the planned small hydroelectric power plants in this area is estimated using different flow prediction methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kyrgyzstan is the only country in Central Asia where water resources are fully formed in its own territory; these are its hydrological features and benefits. The country has considerable water and hydropower resources on its territory. There are over 25 thousand rivers and streams flowing from the mountains to the surrounding valleys carrying more than 50 cubic km annual water volume. The mountain rivers have a huge potential of water and hydro energy resources allowing Kyrgyzstan to reduce the traditional energy consumption. The hydro-energy projects enforces the socio-economic development of regions to meet the needs in the water, energy, flood control, etc., on the other hand they have a negative impact on the environment. Intensification of landslides, reservoir-induced seismicity, rise of groundwater level and land erosion and other environmental hazards need detailed investigations before, during construction and exploitation of hydropower stations. The geoinformation systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies are recommended in the geoenvironmental impact studies of hydro-energy projects in the Naryn river basin. The efficiency in the use of integrated information systems created by combining the capabilities of GIS and remotely sensed data confirmed by numerous examples of successful use in practice, e.g. in the modeling of technical, natural and climate parameters to avoid disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Small hydro implantation makes sustainable development possible in rural areas. • Emphasizes the use of water resources as a solution to the energy crisis in developing countries. • Calculations of contribution areas and morphometric characteristics collaborate in the estimation of river flow. Brazil's energy matrix is based on hydroelectric plants. In the current scenario, studies must be conducted to verify the possible environmental impacts and production viability in order to determine sites most suitable for installing hydroelectric units. A process was developed to identify potential sites to install hydroelectric units using geotechnology, considering morphometric analysis of watershed obtained using python scripts, PLpgSQL, and R. This process enabled the generation of multiple regression models for flow estimates, flooded areas, and estimates of the hydropower potential of the region. From the 3899 points analyzed, 3477 points showed potential for run of river hydroelectricity-generating plants (production up to 3 MW) and 48 points showed potential for small hydroelectric plants (SHPs; production between 3 MW and 30 MW). The limiting factors were assessed by using the intersect geoprocessing tool, where points that intersected with excluding factors, such as environmental or infrastructure elements, were excluded from the analysis. In addition, an efficiency coefficient was established for the SHPs by correlating potential and flooded areas, demonstrating the best points for the implementation of SHP, and considering the potential impacts of the reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]