Open Session – Tunnels and Underground Space for Hydropower plants – Tuesday May 26th – 10 :15 – 12 :45

The worldwide use of underground space, in conjunction with projects that benefit from the earth´s natural resources, is increasingly growing. This includes the implementation of major underground infrastructure for: mines, hydropower plants, storage, oil and gas projects, water conveyance, geothermal heat, among other purposes.

Hydropower is the world's leading renewable energy resource and the ancients’ method of harnessing clean power (waterwheels have been used as far as 2.000 years ago). It currently produces around 16.3% of the world's electricity (about 3500 TWh in 2010) and 90% of the world's current renewable power. It is a fully mature technology in more than 159 countries around the globe, where over 25 countries depend on hydropower for 90% of their electricity.

Underground structures can have a important role for hydropower plants, whether serving for the purpose of water conveyance or for housing civil and electromechanical equipment in underground powerhouses.

The Open Session will present in 3 phases the following topics :

• Sustainable development: Contribution of hydropower projects to sustainable development: how to reach an optimal social/economical/environmental scheme; mitigation of environmental impact, relevance of hydropower generation, climate change, innovation.
• Construction and Technical Aspects: Geotechnical investigations, design standards, durability vs. maintenance, natural and geotechnical risks, contractual modality, innovation, technical aspects of construction of HPP in different areas, geological conditions; construction methods, strategy and management, costs and time, maintenance and durability.  time of construction and operation
• Financing and Insurance: Private & public, premium costs, risk management, key criteria for selecting hydropower projects to be financed, financing model used for hydropower projects in different parts of the world.

Speakers will come from all aspects of HPP and from all parts of the world : Owners public and private Engineerings, banks and insurers