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High-resolution assessment of global technical and economic hydropower potential

Author

Listed:
  • David E. H. J. Gernaat

    (PBL - Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
    Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University)

  • Patrick W. Bogaart

    (Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University)

  • Detlef P. van Vuuren

    (PBL - Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
    Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University)

  • Hester Biemans

    (PBL - Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
    Wageningen Environmental Research (Alterra))

  • Robin Niessink

    (PBL - Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
    Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University)

Abstract

Hydropower is the most important renewable energy source to date, providing over 72% of all renewable electricity globally. Yet, only limited information is available on the global potential supply of hydropower and the associated costs. Here we provide a high-resolution assessment of the technical and economic potential of hydropower at a near-global scale. Using 15”×15” discharge and 3”×3” digital elevation maps, we built virtual hydropower installations at >3.8 million sites across the globe and calculated their potential using cost optimization methods. This way we identified over 60,000 suitable sites, which together represent a remaining global potential of 9.49 PWh yr−1 below US$0.50 kWh−1. The largest remaining potential is found in Asia Pacific (39%), South America (25%) and Africa (24%), of which a large part can be produced at low cost (

Suggested Citation

  • David E. H. J. Gernaat & Patrick W. Bogaart & Detlef P. van Vuuren & Hester Biemans & Robin Niessink, 2017. "High-resolution assessment of global technical and economic hydropower potential," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(10), pages 821-828, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:2:y:2017:i:10:d:10.1038_s41560-017-0006-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-017-0006-y
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