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Project SMART (Strategies to Promote Small Scale Hydro Electricity Production in Europe) from the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) program, in which 7 institutions from 5 European states participate, pointed to the important barriers for the expansion of small hydro power plants (SHP) in Europe: the lack of suitable support methodologies and software (tools) ; the complexity of the legal/administrative processes to obtain concessions, and the economical/financial attraction of private investors. One of the main barriers is the lack of suitable methodology and software (tools) able to create a clear view of the smal hydro power potential in the given territory, as well as a complete techno-economic analysis for certain location. Although, in the world there are a certain number of software for this purpose, which will be presented in the paper, but they are not able to take into account all the specifics of watercourses. Due to, a new software for the techno-economic analysis of SHP is developed and will be presented in this paper. In the software the latest knowledges and technical developments in the field of small hydropower plants are incorporated (e.g. the newest types of water turbines for small hydropower plants). Also, the interface of the software is also designed to allow appropriate application. The software is very useful for experts in the field of SHP, but also much wider, for decision-makers, potential investors and stakeholders. It will improve water resources management, disseminate opportunities to investors and increase the interest of stakeholders to invest in SHP, resulting in their wider use. The software will be tested on location for SHP in the Republic of Croatia. |
