Development of an information system for small hydropower plants in Greece

Although hydropower has currently a leading share of electricity generated by Renewable Energy Sources (RES), development of Small Hydropower Plants (SHPPs) has been poor so far in Greece. The introduction and evolution of the relevant legislation during the last decade produced a dynamic investing interest for small hydropower. Data regarding administrative, geographic and technical characteristics for a total of 250 operating or licensed projects have been collected, in order to study the present degree of development and the perspectives of small hydropower in Greece. This data has been evaluated, analyzed and integrated into an Information System (IS), consisting of a database, a Geographical Information System and legislation and technical documents. The data examined show that a reasonable total small hydro capacity of 430 ΜW can add up to the central grid, increasing inland hydropower energy exploitation by 14%.