Abstract
AbstractStrategic dam planning and the deployment of decentralized renewable technologies are two elements of the same problem, yet normally addressed in isolation. Here, we show that an integrated view of the power system capacity expansion problem could have transformative effects for Southeast Asia’s hydropower plans. We demonstrate that Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia have tangible opportunities for meeting projected electricity demand and CO2 emission targets with less hydropower than currently planned—options range from halting the construction of all dams in the Lower Mekong to building 82% of the planned ones. The key enabling strategies for these options to succeed are solar PV and regional coordination, expressed in the form of centralized planning and cross-border power trading. The alternative expansion plans would slightly increase the cumulative costs (up to 2.4%), but substantially limit the fragmentation of additional river reaches, thereby offering more sustainable pathways for the Mekong’s ecosystems and riparian people.
Funder
Ministry of Education - Singapore
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Physics and Astronomy,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Chemistry
Reference62 articles.
1. International Energy Agency. Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2019 (International Energy Agency Paris, 2019).
2. Winemiller, K. O. et al. Balancing hydropower and biodiversity in the Amazon, Congo, and Mekong. Science 351, 128–129 (2016).
3. Sabo, J. L. et al. Designing river flows to improve food security futures in the Lower Mekong basin. Science 358, eaao1053 (2017).
4. Mekong River Commission (MRC). MRC hydropower database. https://portal.mrcmekong.org/home (2017).
5. EGAT. Exploring EGAT dams and thermopower plants. Technical Report of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). https://www.egat.co.th/en/images/publication/exploring-EGAT-dams-powerplants-2018.pdf (2018).
Cited by
46 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献