Computer-based tools for assessment of small-scale hydropower resources and project feasibility: a review

Petras Punys

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2025, vol. 216, issue C

Abstract: This article analyses and compares computer-based tools designed for small hydropower (SHP) potential assessment, site planning, and design, focusing on the initial assessment phase of project evaluation. The review draws from various sources, including open-access publications, research papers and projects, data repositories, and web resources. This paper presents more than 40 software tools currently in use, their main features, comparative analysis, and research studies using them, including a brief reminder of historic software tools. These tools can provide simple initial estimates or be sophisticated software considering unconventional (in-conduit) hydro. They are categorised into four groups: i) Hydraulic turbine selection (4 software), ii) Site feasibility assessment (18), iii) Environmental flow assessment (5), iv) Web-based hydropower atlases (9), and v) Multicriteria analysis (3).

Keywords: Small hydropower; Computer programs; Turbine selection; Site evaluation; Web-based hydropower maps; Multicriteria analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.115717

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