Multi-impact evaluation of new medium and large hydropower plants in Portugal centre region

Traditionally, the decision criteria when analyzing hydropower plants projects, has been based mostly on technical and economical analyses focused on the electric production aspects. Nowadays a broader approach is necessary, which takes into consideration multiple impacts such as: Energy impacts; Water resources impacts; Social-economics development impacts; Agricultural sector impacts; Environmental impacts. In order to establish a ranking of the 14 new medium and large (power above 10 MW) hydropower plants identified in the Centre Region of Portugal, a multi-disciplinary team of Coimbra University carried out a study about the impacts associated to each of the hydropower plants. The analysis considered the different aspects associated to the multifunctional character of the hydropower plants. The overall ranking of the hydropower plants was achieved using a methodology that integrates the different aspects using a weighing function [2]. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.