Small-scale hydropower in the Netherlands : problems and strategies of system builders

Small-scale hydroelectricity (hydel) currently receives worldwide attention as a clean, green, and socially just energy technology. People generally assume that downsizing hydel plants reduces harmful impacts. However, recent debates call for careful circumspection of small hydel’s environmental, social, and economic sustainability, if we are to avoid conflicts, costly setbacks, and hype-disappointment cycles. This paper provides such a circumspect case for the Netherlands, an interesting country thanks to its highly institutionalized water sector. We highlight the importance of studying hydel... Mehr ...