Another approach: in Russia, they proposed to calculate the damage to aquatic biological resources in a new way

The Russian Academy of Sciences has once again demonstrated how the results of fundamental research can serve as a basis for solving urgent problems in the real sector of the economy. Thus, a study by the I.D. Papanin Institute of Biology of Inland Waters of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBVV RAS), conducted at the initiative of the Government of the Russian Federation, revealed that the methodology used in Russia for calculating damage from hydroelectric power plants may not be as objective as previously thought. Scientists have discovered factors that are not taken into account in current calculations. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

According to the law, owners of industrial facilities must compensate for damage caused to aquatic biological resources. To assess this damage, a special methodology approved by Rosrybolovstvo in 2020 is in effect. It takes into account the death of zooplankton, including daphnia and other microscopic organisms that feed fish. The entire volume of water is taken into account, which is especially important, for example, for hydroelectric power plants, through the turbines of which almost the entire river flow passes.

However, when this method of calculating damage began to be applied on a systematic basis, the question arose as to how suitable it is for hydroelectric power plants. The fact is that in some cases, the amount of damage that was calculated using this method exceeded the total stocks of commercial fish in reservoirs. When analyzing the situation, it turned out that in fact, in the vast majority of cases, the death of zooplankton, and not fish, was taken into account. Zooplankton losses accounted for up to 95-99% of the total damage. This fact called into question the validity of the methodology.

Scientists got down to business

As a result, the Russian government commissioned an independent scientific study that would assess the possibility of applying current damage calculations to hydroelectric power plants. The leading institute in the field of hydrobiology, IBVV RAS, was involved in this work. His staff has been studying reservoirs, both Russian and foreign, for more than 50 years. The study, initiated by the Cabinet of Ministers, lasted for three years — specialists visited hydroelectric power plants located in various natural and climatic zones — from Siberia to the North Caucasus. Their tasks included assessing the impact of hydroelectric power plants on aquatic ecosystems, in particular on zooplankton, which plays a key role in the trophic chains of freshwater reservoirs.

The other day they presented the results of their work. As part of the V All-Russian Conference on Topical Issues of Planktonology, held in Svetlogorsk (Kaliningrad Region) from September 8 to 12, Sergey Bolotov, a leading specialist at the IBVV RAS, stated that the operation of hydroelectric power plants does not have an ecologically significant impact on zooplankton communities. At the same time, according to the researchers, natural water obstacles, such as waterfalls or rapids, pose a much greater danger to zooplankton than hydroelectric dams. It is noted that the ingress of these small aquatic inhabitants from reservoirs into the lower reaches of hydroelectric power plants leads to a local increase in the fish's food supply. As a result, the productivity of fish populations in the rivers downstream increases.

"The data obtained are fundamental and can become the basis for revising the current methodology for assessing damage to aquatic biological resources," said Alexander Krylov, Director of the IBVV RAS, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

According to him, this is a vivid example of how academic science can contribute to the development of public policy, especially in the context of the need for a balance between environmental and economic interests.

Maximum development and minimum impact

The scientists' conclusions are of particular importance against the background of a recent statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of hydropower in the country. At the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in early September, the head of state said that the development of small and large hydropower plants in Russia should take into account not only the economic component, but also the environmental one.

"Responsible water use, long—term wastewater management, and flood prevention are an integral part of the development of hydropower, which directly affects the environment, agriculture, and the safety of cities and towns," the president noted.

Currently, the share of hydrogenation in the structure of total electricity generation reaches 20%. This year, the government approved the Energy Strategy of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2050, which deals, among other things, with improving the efficiency of the development and use of the country's hydropotential.

"Special attention will be paid to the development of renewable energy sources (including hydroelectric power plants) — the installed capacity of these types of generation will grow by more than 40% by 2023," the document says.

Currently, the global energy industry relies on low-carbon technologies. At the same time, hydropower, which provides a "clean" and at the same time relatively cheap resource, plays a significant role on the path to carbon neutrality. Compared to other types of generation, hydropower most often has a minimal impact on the environment. Hydroelectric power plants do not need fuel (coal, nuclear fuel, etc.) to operate, they do not have harmful emissions into the atmosphere or reservoirs. There is also no waste from this type of electricity production. And dams used in hydropower often serve to protect settlements from flooding during the flood season.

However, for the full-fledged development of hydropower in Russia, among other things, it is necessary to improve the regulatory framework in the field of environmental impact assessment. As noted in the report, it makes sense to review the results of the IBVV RAS study in relevant ministries and departments and use them to prepare legislative amendments.