IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i13p4882-d1177090.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Research and Analysis of Promotional Policies for Small Hydropower Generation in Taiwan

Author

Listed:
  • Kuo-Chen Wu

    (Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 104102, Taiwan)

  • Jui-Chu Lin

    (Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 104102, Taiwan)

  • Wen-Te Chang

    (Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taipei 104102, Taiwan)

  • Chia-Szu Yen

    (Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taipei 104102, Taiwan)

  • Huang-Jie Fu

    (Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taipei 104102, Taiwan)

Abstract

To achieve the net zero emission target by 2050, Taiwan is committed to promoting solar photovoltaic and offshore wind power. However, in order to ensure the stable supply of renewable energy, it should actively develop low-cost and mature base load renewable energy sources, such as small hydropower. By the end of 2021, Taiwan’s hydropower (excluding pumped storage hydropower) had a total installed capacity of 2094 MW, accounting for 18.6% of the overall renewable energy ratio, with an average growth rate of 0.05% from 2016 to 2021. It is mainly limited by the need for low environmental and ecological impact, so it is relatively difficult to install large-scale hydropower; therefore, Taiwan has turned to the development of environmentally friendly small hydropower generation. In order to actively develop small hydropower generation and resolve development concerns, Taiwan has established a “Small Hydropower and Renewable Energy Development Strategy Platform”. The current effective cases are mostly in the fields of the Taiwan Power Company, Water Resources Agency, and Council of Agriculture. The private sector has not yet shown its investment in the field. The reasons for this can be summarized as cumbersome administrative procedures, regulatory restrictions, insufficient economic incentives, and lack of technical capacity. The higher-level supervision mechanisms (such as the Executive Yuan level) are also the main key to whether small hydropower can be quickly promoted. In view of this, this study analyzes the current situation and policies to promote small hydropower generation policy recommendations through a literature review and comparison of international promotion experience. Some recommendations have also been incorporated into the newly revised Renewable Energy Development Act in 2023, such as relaxing the definition of small hydropower generation and incorporating water conservancy construction facilities that can be combined with power generation to improve site diversification. Other suggestions mentioned in the text can also be used as a reference for subsequent policy promotion in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuo-Chen Wu & Jui-Chu Lin & Wen-Te Chang & Chia-Szu Yen & Huang-Jie Fu, 2023. "Research and Analysis of Promotional Policies for Small Hydropower Generation in Taiwan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:13:p:4882-:d:1177090
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/13/4882/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/13/4882/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kelly-Richards, Sarah & Silber-Coats, Noah & Crootof, Arica & Tecklin, David & Bauer, Carl, 2017. "Governing the transition to renewable energy: A review of impacts and policy issues in the small hydropower boom," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 251-264.
    2. Kucukali, Serhat & Baris, Kemal, 2009. "Assessment of small hydropower (SHP) development in Turkey: Laws, regulations and EU policy perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(10), pages 3872-3879, October.
    3. Damian Liszka & Zbigniew Krzemianowski & Tomasz Węgiel & Dariusz Borkowski & Andrzej Polniak & Konrad Wawrzykowski & Artur Cebula, 2022. "Alternative Solutions for Small Hydropower Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-31, February.
    4. Gaudard, Ludovic & Avanzi, Francesco & De Michele, Carlo, 2018. "Seasonal aspects of the energy-water nexus: The case of a run-of-the-river hydropower plant," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 604-612.
    5. Bøckman, Thor & Fleten, Stein-Erik & Juliussen, Erik & Langhammer, Håvard J. & Revdal, Ingemar, 2008. "Investment timing and optimal capacity choice for small hydropower projects," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 190(1), pages 255-267, October.
    6. Egidijus Kasiulis & Petras Punys & Algis Kvaraciejus & Antanas Dumbrauskas & Linas Jurevičius, 2020. "Small Hydropower in the Baltic States—Current Status and Potential for Future Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-21, December.
    7. Barelli, L. & Liucci, L. & Ottaviano, A. & Valigi, D., 2013. "Mini-hydro: A design approach in case of torrential rivers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 695-706.
    8. Zhou, Yanlai & Chang, Li-Chiu & Uen, Tin-Shuan & Guo, Shenglian & Xu, Chong-Yu & Chang, Fi-John, 2019. "Prospect for small-hydropower installation settled upon optimal water allocation: An action to stimulate synergies of water-food-energy nexus," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 668-682.
    9. Basso, S. & Lazzaro, G. & Bovo, M. & Soulsby, C. & Botter, G., 2020. "Water-energy-ecosystem nexus in small run-of-river hydropower: Optimal design and policy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    10. Balkhair, Khaled S. & Rahman, Khalil Ur, 2017. "Sustainable and economical small-scale and low-head hydropower generation: A promising alternative potential solution for energy generation at local and regional scale," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 378-391.
    11. Dariusz Borkowski & Dariusz Cholewa & Anna Korzeń, 2021. "Run-of-the-River Hydro-PV Battery Hybrid System as an Energy Supplier for Local Loads," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-17, August.
    12. Arash YoosefDoost & William David Lubitz, 2021. "Archimedes Screw Design: An Analytical Model for Rapid Estimation of Archimedes Screw Geometry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-14, November.
    13. Kosnik, Lea, 2010. "The potential for small scale hydropower development in the US," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(10), pages 5512-5519, October.
    14. Elbatran, A.H. & Yaakob, O.B. & Ahmed, Yasser M. & Shabara, H.M., 2015. "Operation, performance and economic analysis of low head micro-hydropower turbines for rural and remote areas: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 40-50.
    15. Zhang, Lixiao & Pang, Mingyue & Bahaj, AbuBakr S. & Yang, Yongchuan & Wang, Changbo, 2021. "Small hydropower development in China: Growing challenges and transition strategy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    16. Wang, Xiaokui & Bamisile, Olusola & Chen, Shuheng & Xu, Xiao & Luo, Shihua & Huang, Qi & Hu, Weihao, 2022. "Decarbonization of China's electricity systems with hydropower penetration and pumped-hydro storage: Comparing the policies with a techno-economic analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 65-83.
    17. Teegala Srinivasa Kishore & Epari Ritesh Patro & V. S. K. V. Harish & Ali Torabi Haghighi, 2021. "A Comprehensive Study on the Recent Progress and Trends in Development of Small Hydropower Projects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-31, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kuriqi, Alban & Pinheiro, António N. & Sordo-Ward, Alvaro & Garrote, Luis, 2019. "Flow regime aspects in determining environmental flows and maximising energy production at run-of-river hydropower plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    2. Ptak, Thomas & Crootof, Arica & Harlan, Tyler & Kelly, Sarah, 2022. "Critically evaluating the purported global “boom” in small hydropower development through spatial and temporal analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    3. Ewa Chomać-Pierzecka & Andrzej Kokiel & Joanna Rogozińska-Mitrut & Anna Sobczak & Dariusz Soboń & Jacek Stasiak, 2022. "Hydropower in the Energy Market in Poland and the Baltic States in the Light of the Challenges of Sustainable Development-An Overview of the Current State and Development Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Izadyar, Nima & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Chong, W.T. & Leong, K.Y., 2016. "Resource assessment of the renewable energy potential for a remote area: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 908-923.
    5. Zhou, Daqing & Gui, Jia & Deng, Zhiqun Daniel & Chen, Huixiang & Yu, Yunyun & Yu, An & Yang, Chunxia, 2019. "Development of an ultra-low head siphon hydro turbine using computational fluid dynamics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 43-50.
    6. Zhou, Yanlai & Chang, Li-Chiu & Uen, Tin-Shuan & Guo, Shenglian & Xu, Chong-Yu & Chang, Fi-John, 2019. "Prospect for small-hydropower installation settled upon optimal water allocation: An action to stimulate synergies of water-food-energy nexus," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 668-682.
    7. Kelly-Richards, Sarah & Silber-Coats, Noah & Crootof, Arica & Tecklin, David & Bauer, Carl, 2017. "Governing the transition to renewable energy: A review of impacts and policy issues in the small hydropower boom," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 251-264.
    8. Klein, S.J.W. & Fox, E.L.B., 2022. "A review of small hydropower performance and cost," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    9. Vincenzo Di Dio & Giovanni Cipriani & Donatella Manno, 2022. "Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators for Pico Hydropower Application: A Parametrical Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-17, September.
    10. Bragalli, Cristiana & Micocci, Domenico & Naldi, Giovanni, 2023. "On the influence of net head and efficiency fluctuations over the performance of existing run-of-river hydropower plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1170-1179.
    11. Meita Rumbayan & Rilya Rumbayan, 2023. "Feasibility Study of a Micro Hydro Power Plant for Rural Electrification in Lalumpe Village, North Sulawesi, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-13, September.
    12. Teegala Srinivasa Kishore & Epari Ritesh Patro & V. S. K. V. Harish & Ali Torabi Haghighi, 2021. "A Comprehensive Study on the Recent Progress and Trends in Development of Small Hydropower Projects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-31, May.
    13. Epari Ritesh Patro & Teegala Srinivasa Kishore & Ali Torabi Haghighi, 2022. "Levelized Cost of Electricity Generation by Small Hydropower Projects under Clean Development Mechanism in India," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, February.
    14. Tapia, A. & R. del Nozal, A. & Reina, D.G. & Millán, P., 2021. "Three-dimensional optimization of penstock layouts for micro-hydropower plants using genetic algorithms," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    15. Bilgili, Mehmet & Bilirgen, Harun & Ozbek, Arif & Ekinci, Firat & Demirdelen, Tugce, 2018. "The role of hydropower installations for sustainable energy development in Turkey and the world," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 755-764.
    16. Bartosz Ceran & Jakub Jurasz & Robert Wróblewski & Adam Guderski & Daria Złotecka & Łukasz Kaźmierczak, 2020. "Impact of the Minimum Head on Low-Head Hydropower Plants Energy Production and Profitability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-21, December.
    17. Basso, S. & Lazzaro, G. & Bovo, M. & Soulsby, C. & Botter, G., 2020. "Water-energy-ecosystem nexus in small run-of-river hydropower: Optimal design and policy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    18. Ullah, Kafait & Raza, Muhammad Shabbar & Mirza, Faisal Mehmood, 2019. "Barriers to hydro-power resource utilization in Pakistan: A mixed approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 723-735.
    19. Mateusz Hämmerling & Natalia Walczak & Tomasz Kałuża, 2023. "Analysis of the Influence of Hydraulic and Hydrological Factors on the Operating Conditions of a Small Hydropower Station on the Example of the Stary Młyn Barrage on the Głomia River in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-22, September.
    20. Huang, Xiaoxun & Hayashi, Kiichiro & Fujii, Minoru & Villa, Ferdinando & Yamazaki, Yuri & Okazawa, Hiromu, 2023. "Identification of potential locations for small hydropower plant based on resources time footprint: A case study in Dan River Basin, China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 293-304.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:13:p:4882-:d:1177090. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.