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MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development

global challenges, engineering solutions
 

An Evaluation of the International Hydropower Association’s (IHA) Sustainability Assessment Protocol (SAP)

Hydropower dams are at the nexus of energy and water supply and will play an important part in meeting future energy demand. An involved debate continues to surround large dam development and the methods for making hydropower development more ‘sustainable’. The research in this study considers the history of large dam construction for hydropower and the origins of the current debate over hydropower and sustainability. This provides the context for a comparison of different approaches to hydropower scheme appraisal in terms of commonly recognised sustainability assessment features. The framework developed for comparison of approaches is then applied in more detail to the International Hydropower Association’s Sustainability Assessment Protocol, in the context of an IHA initiative to develop a ‘Sustainable Hydropower’ certification label. The research shows that the IHA’s approach is comprehensive in many respects; opportunities are subsequently identified for the future development of the assessment in the context of the certification initiative. 

Course Overview

Context

The need to engage in better problem definition through careful dialogue with all stakeholder groups and a proper recognition of context.

Perspectives

An ability to work with specialists from other disciplines and professional groups acknowledging that technical innovation and business skills also must be understood, nurtured and combined as precursors to the successful implementation of sustainable solutions.

Change

An understanding of mechanisms for managing change in organisations so future engineers are equipped to play a leadership role.

Tools

An awareness of a range of assessment frameworks, sustainability metrics and methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis, Systems Dynamics, Multi-Criteria Decision making and Impact Assessment.