BGENERGY-1.001-0001 "Feasibility study of the use of hydroenergy potential of existing water supply systems and increasing the potential of existing small hydroelectric power plants in water supply system"

BGENERGY-1.001-0001 "Feasibility study of the use of hydroenergy potential of existing water supply systems and increasing the potential of existing small hydroelectric power plants in water supply system"
Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Energy Security Program, financed under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021
Beneficiary: Sustainable Energy Development Agency (SEDA), Bulgaria
Donor project partner: Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), Norway
Project duration: 12 months (15 June 2021)
Project Summary:
The project will provide basic data on major water supply schemes in Bulgaria, which are expected to have the potential to combine water supply with hydropower production, by replacing reducing valves in the main pipelines from reservoirs to hydropower turbines. A database will be created after the project is completed, including hydrology in the catchment areas for determining the inflow, the consumption of water from the reservoirs to the reservoirs for distribution of water supply, the average annual distribution of water electricity and the potential surplus of water for additional energy production. The project is based on sustainable hydropower, through modern environmental and social know-how, using the optimum available hydropower resource with the lowest negative impacts. The scope of the project activities provides for an in-depth review of current policies, legal and regulatory frameworks related to hydropower in water supply schemes; review of existing pre-investment surveys of water and sewerage companies in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works; exchange of experience and good practices with representatives of the Norwegian Water and Energy Directorate; conducting trainings to enhance the qualification of hydropower experts and promote the results through an information campaign.
Main objectives:
The aim of the project is to assess the potential of hydropower as a renewable energy source by examining all aspects - political, legal, regulatory, technical and economic, as well as the qualifications and readiness of hydropower experts to ensure the implementation of the expected activities. The main objective of the project proposal is to create a database including an assessment of the catchment areas and to document the existing technical characteristics of the hydropower facilities. The study will highlight the production potential, costs and technical challenges associated with the implementation of tools for using the hydropower resource. In addition, the need to initiate changes to facilitate the enhancement of the potential of existing small hydropower plants in water supply systems will be analyzed. The project information will be used to encourage operators of water supply schemes to apply for EEA grant assistance to realize some of their energy production opportunities.