Small hydropower meets AI: How KliWaSim makes climate change simulateable

In Austria, hydropower is one of the most important energy sources – it reliably supplies electricity and is considered particularly sustainable. But what happens when water levels change? When snowfall is reduced, glaciers melt, or sudden heavy rainfall events occur? This is precisely where the KliWaSim project comes in. When Water Levels Become a Challenge Small hydropower plants (CHP) play a central role in Austria's electricity landscape. But with climate change, the natural conditions for these plants are also changing. Precipitation patterns are shifting, droughts are becoming more frequent, and extreme weather events are increasing. This has a direct impact on energy production – and on the economic planning of operators. Technology as the Answer: Simulation Instead of Speculation KliWaSim uses methods from artificial intelligence and machine learning to better predict precisely these kinds of effects. Based on weather data, historical water levels, and other influencing factors such as population growth, models are created that show how much energy can be generated at a specific location in the future – depending on various climate scenarios. What's special about this: Through so-called statistical downscaling, large-scale climate models are broken down to regional conditions and a daily time resolution – resulting in specific forecasts for local CHP plants. Why this is important Anyone operating or planning a small hydropower plant needs to know whether the location will still be profitable in 20 or 30 years and which turbine type will be most suitable. KliWaSim creates precisely this transparency – and thus provides a sound basis for investments and adaptation strategies. This ensures that CHP plants continue to make their important contribution to the energy transition, even in times of climate change. Conclusion: KliWaSim demonstrates how artificial intelligence can be used in practice to better understand the effects of climate change – and at the same time actively shape Austria's energy future. Project management at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences: Prof. Dr. Torsten Priebe Partners: UBIMET GmbH Linz Center of Mechatronics GmbH Christian Hofmann Unternehmensberatung GmbH SOBOS GmbH Herzogenburg Water Management Association Altmannsdorf Waterworks Cooperative St. Pölten Waterworks Cooperative Waterworks Association of Plant Owners on the Kamp River Austrian Small Hydropower Association Financing: Climate and Energy Fund/FFG: Energy Research 2023 (FO999914989)