Oxford-Led Project On Clean Hydropower Energy Gets £2 Million Funding

Study in UK: The three-year project on hydropower energy will develop cutting-edge monitoring and forecasting technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of the hydropower networks in the region.

A new Oxford-led project by Louise Slater, Professor of Hydro climatology at the School of Geography and the Environment is intending to transform the optimization of hydropower systems in Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia to ensure equitable and sustainable energy access.

Professor Louise Slater commented, "We are excited to work with our co-investigators in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to develop novel technologies integrating sensors and satellite-based monitoring with existing models and machine learning to support the energy efficiency and safety of the existing network of small hydropower plants."

In the Lower Mekong region, Hydropower currently offers more than 50% of the energy but the system faces challenges due to ageing infrastructure, climate variability, and the need to meet growing energy demands.

Professor Slater explained, "A core focus of the project is to empower local communities and ensure that all regions benefit from advancements in clean energy. This includes providing training to local operators and fostering gender equality in the energy sector to ensure no community is left behind."

About SMART-HS Project

It will support more reliable and cleaner energy generation in rural areas. The project will use real-time monitoring systems and improve the performance of hydropower networks by integrating data on water levels, weather patterns, and infrastructure safety. It will also reduce the risks to downstream communities. This project is under the collaboration of Oxford researchers with the University of Edinburgh, and international partners in Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. It has also partnered with the National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation and Hanoi University of Mining and Geology.

The project is one of the thirteen projects funded through the Ayrton Challenge Programme. It is an initiative funded by the UK government’s Ayrton Fund.

“The SMART-HS project builds on Oxford’s expertise in sustainability and international development, addressing global energy challenges in a rapidly changing world. The methods and technologies developed in this project could be adapted to other transboundary hydropower systems worldwide, creating a scalable model for sustainable energy transitions,” reads the Oxford Statement.

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