Why the EU supports hydropower research and innovation
Hydropower is energy derived from falling or fast running water.
Hydro reservoirs provide built-in energy storage and the fast response time of hydropower allows it to meet sudden fluctuations in supply or demand of other renewable sources (for example solar and wind power).
This means that hydropower can have an increasingly important role in providing flexibility to the electricity system.
Challenges and opportunities
In a changing power system, continuous innovation is needed to keep sustainable hydropower efficient and cost-competitive, including retrofitting measures for existing plants to improve their efficiency and environmental performance.
Solutions to exploit energy production from small reservoirs or hydro plants that can generate power from small differences in the water level (not requiring massive dams to be built) are very promising.
What the EU is doing
The EU supports hydropower research by funding projects that demonstrate the potential of the technology and aim to reduce its environmental impact.
In particular, innovation will support the efficient retrofitting of existing plants and help improve the sustainability of hydropower.
Funding opportunities
Horizon Europe
Calls for proposal on energy related themes in Horizon Europe and information on the work programme.
NER 300 programme
Funding for innovative low-carbon technology research with focus on environmentally safe Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and innovative renewable energy technologies
European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)
The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is the successor organisation of the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA).
European structural and investment funds (ESIF)
Energy research related calls may be found in these funds
LIFE
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.
Prize for renewable energy islands
Prize rewarding achievements in local renewable energy production for electricity, heating, cooling and transport on islands.
Projects and results
Research project database (CORDIS)
The Commission's primary portal for EU-funded research projects and their results
Project success stories
Stories of particularly successful EU-funded projects
Horizon Magazine
Latest news, interviews and features about thought-provoking science and innovative research projects funded by the EU.
Horizon Results Platform
Platform where framework programme participants present their results for you to search, contact their owners, and form partnerships.
Results packs on energy
Thematic collections of innovative EU-funded research results in the energy field
Horizon 2020 dashboard
Access to real-time programme data with the ability to filter by country, region, theme and more
Collaboration and jobs
Find project partners
Find partners for open EU calls for proposal
Public-private partnerships
Collaborate in energy research and innovation public-private partnerships
International cooperation
International cooperation between the EU and global stakeholders in energy
Jobs (EURAXESS)
Researcher jobs in related fields
Scientific publications, tools and databases
Strategic Energy Technologies Information System (SETIS)
SET-Plan implementation progress reports giving data by priority area, country and energy source
Scientific publications
Scientific energy research publications published by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Scientific research tools and databases
The Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) compiles databases and develops software and modelling tools. You can access energy research related ones here
EU publications portal
Online library of EU energy research publications
EU Open Data Portal
Single point of access to open data produced by the EU institutions - all data free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes
OpenAIRE
You can access all scientific publications from Horizon 2020 via OpenAIRE