Wallington, UK and Prague, Czech Republic, 26 September 2011: HYDRO 2011:
Practical Solutions for a Sustainable Future, an international conference and exhibition organized by The International Journal on Hydropower & Dams will be held in Prague from 17 to 19 October 2011. Policy-makers, developers, financiers, and hydro practitioners from all parts of the world will attend the event, which will be held at the Prague Congress Centre.
With nearly 2 billion people in the world still lacking a reliable electricity supply, and about 70 per cent of the world’s hydro potential remaining to be exploited, there is no doubt about the urgent need for more carefully planned hydro schemes to be implemented. In the industrialized nations, for example in Europe, many hydro plants have been in operation for 50 years or more; refurbishment and upgrading will bring them in line with current safety standards, and can offer a cost-effective way of bringing new capacity on line to meet increasing demand.
The HYDRO 2011 conference will review progress, challenges, research needs, development potential, and ways in which industrialized countries can maximize the benefits of existing hydro assets. The event will be co-hosted by the Czech utility CEZ, as well as local authorities. Other supporting organizations will include: the International Commission on Large Dams and its Czech National Committee, the International Energy Agency, the International Water Resources Association, the European Small Hydropower Association, and the Czech Renewable Energy Alliance. An international steering committee of eminent experts works with the Aqua-Media team to ensure the technical excellence of the programme. “We are delighted that Prague has a chance to host this important event, and that Hydro 2011 is one of the first conferences to use free transport congress tickets,” said the Director of Prague Convention Bureau Lenka Zlebkova.
The event will be an ideal opportunity to promote Czech hydro and dams expertise, and for interaction with international delegates. The conference and exhibition will bring together high-level experts from all countries with active renewable energy development programmes, to discuss priorities, achievements and challenges. Safety, economy, technological innovation and environmental issues (including the impacts of climate change for hydraulic works) will be high on the agenda.
An important element of HYDRO 2011 will be the major international technical exhibition. About 200 companies active in the hydro and dams profession will demonstrate their expertise and scope of supplies or services. International delegates from more than 85 countries, including financiers from the major IFIs, leading consultants, high level representatives of ministries and power/water authorities, decision makers from private and public developers, and major contractors and suppliers, will have the opportunity to visit exhibitors. Over the three days, they will make valuable new contacts from countries where major hydro development programmes are under way and planned.
Various aspects of HYDRO 2011 will be supported by industry sponsors such as Mavel, Andritz Hydro, Voith, Montanhydraulik, James Walker, Tyazhmash Group of Companies, TES Vsetin, ABB, Emerson Process Management, Meggitt, Kuenz, Povodi Vltavy, and others.
Post-Conference technical tours will give the opportunity for delegates to learn about the role played by renewable energy in the Czech grid, and also Czech expertise in hydraulic research, flood management and environmental protection. Visits have been arranged to the largest pumped-storage schemes operated by the Czech national utility CEZ: Dalesice (450 MW) and Dlouhe Strane (650 MW), as well as multipurpose dams and a recently completed small hydro plant.
The conference and exhibition will be accompanied by cultural excursions for delegates and their partners. They will have the opportunity to visit the Prague castle, and to take part in a river cruise. A full social programme has also been organized for delegates and accompanying persons, providing opportunities for further networking in a relaxed atmosphere, with a chance to sample local culinary specialities, fine wines, and music by world famous Czech composers.
