Geomorphic impacts of run-of-river hydro projects

地球仪正在推广可再生能源技术，以减轻气候变化的影响。 河流引水，或径流式（RoR）水电，已成为一种关键的可再生能源， 被认为是传统的基于存储的大坝的替代方案，这些大坝对河流有重大影响 系统.有理由认为，RoR项目的地貌影响应该可以忽略不计，因为它们可以 通过沉积物。这一假设尚未得到严格评估。评估地貌的现行做法 影响是对现有个别项目进行基本的实地监测。了解RoR的影响 该领域的项目将需要数十年的时间，并需要全面的现场项目来产生必要的数据 还有待设计和实施。与Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.合作。 （Innergex），我们将开发一个环境评估工具，旨在预测地貌影响 与河流水电开发造成的沉积物破坏有关。该工具基于 一维形态动力学模型，用于评估临时沉积物供应的影响 在RoR大坝关闭后中断。可以实施该方案，以评估当地和下游的影响。这 将使Innergex能够在项目建设之前评估影响，并制定有效的沉积物管理 这些做法将改善其设施的运作，同时保护下游高价值的鲑鱼栖息地。

Renewable energy technologies are being promoted around the globe to mitigate the effects of climate change. River diversion, or run-of-river (RoR) hydropower, has emerged as a key renewable energy source, that is viewed as an alternative to traditional storage-based dams that are known to have major impacts on river systems. It has been reasoned that geomorphic impacts of RoR projects should be negligible, because they can pass sediment. This assumption has not been critically assessed. Current practice to assess the geomorphic impacts is rudimentary field monitoring of existing individual projects. Understanding the impacts of RoR projects in the field will take decades and comprehensive field programs that will produce the data necessary have yet to be designed and implemented. Through collaboration with Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (Innergex), we will develop an environmental assessment tool designed to predict geomorphic impacts associated with sediment disruption that is caused by run-of-river hydroelectric development. The tool is based on a one-dimensional morphodynamic model used to assess the impacts of temporary sediment supply disruption following RoR dam closure. It can be implemented to assess local and downstream impacts. This will allow Innergex to assess impacts before projects are built and develop efficient sediment management practices that will improve operation of their facilities while preserving high-value salmon habitat downstream.