HydroPinPoint - Optimising the site selection of micro-hydro turbines in rivers in the UK and Overseas

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With the energy trilemma upon us (how to address energy sustainability as described by three core dimensions: security, affordability and environmental sustainability), there is an increasing focus on renewable sources of energy. While hydropower is the world's largest source of renewable energy, accounting for a fifth of global electricity, equipment and installation are usually costly and focus on large scale sites with obvious potential (weir or dam). Among all surveys, micro and pico hydropower installations are not considered, leading to non-viability of most lowlands and poor adoption in the developing world due to lack of adequate infrastructures and cost of surveys.The ISMORTASED project (Joint NERC / Innovate UK feasibility study "Solving business problems with environmental data") led to the creation of an innovative working prototype of a satellite-based earth observation software allowing to remotely identify suitable sites on rivers for successful micro "run-of-river" hydropower installations, taking into account a range of environmental, ecological and social parameters and providing additional information such as connectivity to the grid, cost model and return on investment analysis.This pathfinder will allow us to conduct a market assessment aimed at informing how to successfully commercialise the results of the ISMORTASED project.A thorough market review will be conducted, involving a combination of desk based research and sub-contracting, to highlight markets to prioritise and target (size, accessibility, demand). In-depth knowledge of the chosen market (purchasing behaviours, customer supply chain, channels to market) will lead to initial engagement with main stakeholders to identify specific needs and requirements. In addition, competitors and existing products will be analysed to help refine and develop our product specifications and define the nature of the service we will offer: commercialisation via software licences, consultancy, capacity building, development of web portal, mobile application.The gathering of this information is of crucial importance to underpin the application for follow-on funding, which will support the planning of the business model and structure for delivery. Further field trials, fine tuning and market dependent datasets and specifications will be required and developed in order to build a hard evidence base to support decision on investment and resources allocation and guide the development of a successful marketing plan.Keywords: energy, micro hydropower, innovative, satellite-based earth observation