Consortium

Belgium

ESHA, the European Small Hydropower Association, represents the interests of the small hydropower sector by promoting the benefits and opportunities of hydropower on EU level. ESHA campaigns for improved market conditions for the hydropower sector, removal of barriers to hydropower development and an increase in hydro electricity production in the EU and wider Europe. The association serves as a platform for actors in the hydropower field.

www.esha.be

Belgium

Commercial organisation dedicated to the promulgation of micro hydropower.Offers expertise in financing scheme based on community collaboration (cooperatives), communication towards general public, and governance and creation of local cooperatives

www.nettowatt.be

Slovenia

Hidro Elektro Bohinj (HEB) was founded in 1989 as a hydropower engineering company, specialized in turn-key engineering, design, equipment manufacturing, supervision and small hydropower operation. In the course of its existence, HEB extended its reference list to 162 small hydropower projects, both in Slovenia and abroad. HEB holds expertise on a broad range of hydropower topics, including energy and environmental legislation, financing, energy market and legal issues.

Greece

The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) is the oldest and most prestigious educational institution in Greece in the field of technology. Since its foundation in 1836, it has contributed increasingly to the country’s scientific, technical and economic development.The Laboratory of Hydraulic Turbomachines (LHT) belongs to the School of Mechanical Engineering of NTUA. Its activities are mainly focused on the design, simulation and testing of hydraulic machinery and installations, size optimisation and operation of hydroelectric plants, pumped energy storage (PES) units and hybrid RES-hydro systems.

http://www.mech.ntua.gr/en

Germany

WIP Renewable Energies (Wirtschaft und Infrastruktur GmbH und Co. Planung KG, based in Munich, Germany) has been active in the clean energy and environmental sectors for over three decades, working with both industrial and public sector clients at the international level. The company’s mission is to bridge the gap between research and implementation of sustainable energy systems. WIP’s interdisciplinary team of professionals provides expertise and consultancy services to improve the performance of sustainable energy systems and to promote renewable energies and energy efficiency.

www.wip-munich.de

Italy

ASSORINNOVABILI – Association of Producers, Industry and Services of Renewable Energy sector (formerly APER) was set up in Milan (Italy) in 1998, following the broadening of the field of action of APEI (Association of Producers of Hydroelectric Energy), set up in 1987. The aim of the Association is to represent the interests of RE producers and to contribute to enlarge the debate on renewable energies, by means of participation to national and international projects and of cooperation with the main stakeholders and policy makers. ASSORINNOVABILI offers technical and legal support for implementing and operating the plants, as well as for the commercialization of the produced energy. It promotes sustainability and renewable energy systems, by means of dissemination and capacity building activities.

www.assorinnovabili.it

France

France Hydro Electricity (FHE) is the major association of small hydro-electricity producers and stakeholders in France. Its philosophy is “do more, do better, do it together”; the association promotes small-scale hydro-electricity development and the preservation of existing plants. FHE represents over 500 plants (with an estimated total power output of about 4300 MW, approximately 18% power output of hydro-electric installations in France) and an array of professionals and experts in the field. FHE assists its members in the management of their installations and the development of their projects. It provides information and assistance in legal, administrative and technical issues. Hydroelectricity represents 12% of France’s electricity production and 95% of its electricity from renewable energy sources.

www.france-hydro-electricite.fr

Sweden

Swedish Hydropower Association (SVAF, Svensk Vattenkraftförening) was formed in 1980 and has now 800 members. SVAF aims at stimulating and promoting the use of small hydropower (10 MW) in Sweden in an ecologically sound way, encouraging the use of best possible technical and environmental practices. There are more than 1,500 small hydropower plants in Sweden, of which around 50% belongs to SVAF members. These plants are usually small family businesses where the owners live in the historic surrounding of the plant and take care to protect the environment. The guiding idea of the Swedish Hydropower Association is that both the local and the global environment will be safeguarded by the activities its members are engaged in.

http://www.svenskvattenkraft.se/

Poland

TRMEW Sp. z o.o. is a company fully owned by TRMEW – the Polish Association for Small Hydropower Development and serves the association as a tool for implementing various projects, including RESTOR Hydro. TRMEW as a superior body is a non-profit organization which groups together small hydropower plants owners, operators and supporters. TRMEW promotes small hydropower, creates a positive image and represents the sector in the political arena by active participation in legislative processes. The association integrates the SHP sector by organizing branch meetings, conferences and trainings, provides education concerning small hydropower and other renewable energy sources, and takes numerous actions on behalf of its members. The main objective of TRMEW is to increase the degree of utilization of hydropower potential in Poland.

http://www.trmew.pl/

Belgium

EDORA is an independent professional federation which aims to protect and promote the interests of the renewable energy sector in Brussels and Wallonia. Our members include wind, hydro, solar and biomass electricity and heat producers, as well as engineering and design companies, manufacturers, retailers, installers and research centres. EDORA’s mission is to support the development of the renewable energy sector with an ambitious policy and administrative framework. Through EDORA’s representatives and professional network, our federation plays a major role as expert besides institutional and political authorities.

http://www.edora.be/

Lithuania

The main purpose of the Lithuanian Hydropower Association (LHA) is to promote the development of hydropower in Lithuania. LHA has about 80 members and supporters, most of them directly linked with hydropower stations (HPS). They include owners of HPS, farmers, workers in the field of energetic and environment, scientists, lecturers and students. LHA supports its members with technical and legal issues. It also organises seminars, conferences, field visits, and conducts research and technical studies.

http://www.hidro.lt