Socio-Technical Viability Framework for Micro Hydropower in Group Water-Energy Schemes

• الحاوية / القاعدة: Energies
• المؤلفون الرئيسيون: Kemi Adeyeye, John Gallagher, Aonghus McNabola, Helena M. Ramos, Paul Coughlan
• التنسيق: مقال
• اللغة: الإنجليزية
• منشور في: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• الموضوعات: conceptual framework; group water-energy scheme; micro hydropower; socio-technical approach; prosumers; social adoption and viability
• الوصول للمادة أونلاين: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/14/4222

Most renewable energy (RE) studies focus on technology readiness, environmental benefits and/or cost savings. The market permeation, viability and adoption of RE technologies such as micro hydropower (MHP), however, require the alignment of other interrelated factors, such as the socio-technical, institutional and political dimensions. This is particularly the case where the energy recovery potential in decentralised water networks is being explored as part of a wholesome sustainability strategy by and for individual and communal prosumers. This study employs a socio-technical approach to understand factors that influence the perceived viability and adoption of MHP in group water-energy schemes. Methods included a progressive literature review to formulate a conceptual framework for the implementation of MHP systems. The framework was validated using survey data from representative stakeholders from groups schemes in Ireland and Spain. These stakeholders were sampled and surveyed at the stage of considering the adoption of MHP in their water networks. The findings highlight the push–pull factors and discusses the opportunities and barriers to the adoption of MHP systems. It confirms that the market, institutional and policy context, cost and financial benefits, social support and collaborative services combine to influence the adoption of MHP technology. Thus, a framework for evaluating the socio-technical viability of MHP systems based on these more realistic integrated, multi-dimensional criteria is proposed.