The Social Return Potential of Micro Hydropower in Water Networks Based on Demonstrator Examples

Kemi Adeyeye (), John Gallagher (), Helena M. Ramos and Aonghus McNabola
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Kemi Adeyeye: Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
John Gallagher: Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of College Green, 2 Dublin, Ireland
Helena M. Ramos: Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georesources Department, CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Aonghus McNabola: Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of College Green, 2 Dublin, Ireland

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-21

Abstract: Micro hydropower (MHP) provides a viable renewable energy solution from which individuals, organisations and communities can also derive social value and benefits. Desk studies and literature reviews show limited studies that (a) quantify the social impact of MHPs in water networks and (b), establish evaluation methods for such analysis. To date, most studies relating to MHP projects have focused on physical and technological parameters, as well as cost and environmental factors that influence their design, installation, operation, and maintenance. Less attention has been given to the intangible social, political, and institutional considerations, which are also important for the acceptability and adoption of renewables such as MHPs, and for their performative longevity. This study addresses these gaps. The social return on investment (SROI) method was used as the basis to quantify the cost and social returns of three MHP demonstrators in a public and private water supply, and irrigation network in Europe. The value inputs and outputs from each case were analysed and a SROI range of between 2.6 and 5.8 euros for each one euro invested was determined. The findings were further evaluated using sensitivity tests. This work serves as a useful first step to establishing a SROI benchmark range for MHP schemes in water networks, extrapolatable for other renewable energy interventions. They also highlight the opportunities and challenges of quantifying and forecasting the social returns of MHPs to guide future work.

Keywords: hydropower; social return on investment; water distribution network; irrigation network; river flow (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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