IEC Technology and Market Outlook Paper Smart hydropower:2025

Establishing a zero-carbon power system is essential for achieving carbon neutrality. Transitioning to a clean energy world with different renewable energies is complicated, however. For one, we must ensure a safe and steady power supply. At the same time, the rising proportion of new energy types needs to be acknowledged while keeping a reasonable cost for the entire power system. The new IEC technology and market outlook paper (TMOP) recognizes hydropower as a technically mature, widely applied, economical and flexibly regulated power source to support a zero-carbon power system. It outlines and analyzes the main driving forces for hydropower’s development, current status of global development and also provides an overview of the key technologies and technical challenges. The paper notes that smart hydropower is expanding the functions of traditional hydropower, carrying forward its advantages and overcoming its shortcomings. A smarter system will provide more efficient and economical energy solutions for countries, which also align with sustainable development goals. Finally, the paper highlights the important role standards can play in promoting the development of hydropower, including smarter technologies. It shows potential use-cases and identifies where standardization is most needed, and urges standardization bodies to address needs for smart hydropower and related technologies to help stay sufficiently on track for net-zero goals. This TMOP has been prepared by a project team from a variety of organizations, including representatives from power suppliers, universities, research institutes and industry associations, working under the IEC Market Strategy Board (MSB). This TMOP is available for free download.