SEE HYDROPOWER is based on the European Directive on the promotion of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources (RES-e) respect to the Kyoto protocol targets, that aims to establish an overall binding target of 20% share of renewable energy sources in energy consumption and a 10% binding minimum target for biofuels in transport to be achieved by each Member State, as well as binding national targets by 2020 in line with the overall EU target of 20%. Objectives of the SEE HYDROPOWER deals with the promotion of hydro energy production in SEE countries, by the optimization of water resource exploitation, in a compatible way with other water users, and following environmental friendly approaches. Main activities of the project concerns the definition of policies, methodologies and tools for a better water & hydropower planning and management; the establishment of common criteria for preserving water bodies; to assess strategies to improve hydropower implementation (such as SHP); testing studies in pilot catchments of partner countries; promotion and dissemination of project outcomes among target groups all over the SEE Region countries. The partnership significantly represents not only the SEE countries but also includes a well balanced mixing of public administrations (5 partners) & agencies (2 partners) ruling hydropower development and related water bodies conservation; and scientific & research institutions (5 partners) having the most advanced technology and standard background applied to water management and hydropower generation. All partners have on field specific experience in their own country issues and represent a wider local/regional partnership not formally involved in the project but strictly connected to policy and water management. Target groups representatives from SEE countries are reinforced by the presence of 6 Observer partners (AHP, ELEM, ESHA, ASSOELE, ENERGAP, APER). Achievements: • Analysis of concession practices for developing hydropower plants complemented with recommendations for improvement targeted at decision-makers • Analysis of national strategies for preservation of river ecosystems in line with the Water Framework Directive • Collection of legal provisions and practices in managing hydropower reservoirs incl. for flood prevention• Common methodology for selecting the optimal management measures in water reservoirs concerning sediments and flood prevention• Comparative analysis of methodologies used for establishing environmental flows in hydropower plant basins in line with the Water Framework Directive• Comparison of ecological and water quality assessment techniques applied to surface water bodies• Handbook detailing innovative technologies for small hydropower plants with examples from the river Prut• Manual for small hydropower plant implementation including legal, technical and economic aspects• Manual on dynamic operation of hydro power plants with focus on flood prevention and desalination• Report from testing tools for evaluating hydropower potential of Drava river sub-basin and determining suitable river stretches for small hydropower plant development• Report on findings of the habitat/ecological quality assessment of the rivers Piave (Italy) and Prut (Romania)• Report on sustainable surface water management including review of relevant national and implementation of EU directives• Results from testing different tools for sediment flushing from reservoirs along the river Mur with the aim of flood prevention• Results from testing the HaltFlood tool in Piave river basin in Italy• Results from testing tools for environmental flow assessment and for evaluating hydropower potential in Ialomita and Prut river basins• Results from testing Vapidro-Aste tool for evaluating hydropower potential of Strymonas river accompanied by a study of problems in using this potentialFor more information see:http://www.southeast-europe.net/en/projects/approved_projects/?id=97