On May 24, 2018, WAWI invited the stakeholders of the case studies "Hydropower on the Upper Danube" and "Coal Power on the Weser" (AP1) to a first workshop in Kassel.
After the welcome and a general project presentation, the partners WAWI, KIMA, USF, CESR and WAGU each showed their share of AP1 with a special focus on the two case studies and their current work progress.
In the second part of the workshop, the practice partners presented themselves: representatives of the Federal Institute of Hydrology and the Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSA) reported on two dams on the Eder and the Diemel, which are owned by the ESC, and on future challenges. These include e.g. early information of inland skippers on possible overruns, underruns or handling of heavy loads that require a precisely defined amount of water. The federal forecasting system should be able to deal with these challenges in the long term. The Regional Council of Kassel (RP) in Hesse is primarily responsible for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and responsible for hydropower plants and dam supervision. In addition, the RP carries out precipitation and groundwater measurements and has 25 level systems. A representative of Bayerische Elektrizitätswerke has outlined how hydropower plants can contribute to security of supply and addressed the hydropower challenges that arose mainly from the strained 2016/2017 revenue situation. Finally, the work of the Bavarian State Office for the Environment was presented, including adaptation strategies to climate change, flood protection and risk management, in particular dealing with flash floods and resilience of flood protection systems, natural hazards, the energy transition and the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in Bavaria deals.
An important topic in the ensuing discussion was the translation of insights gained in the case studies at the local level into global statements as well as the identification of possible collaborations between project partners and practice partners, e.g. through the exchange of data. The foundation for a good cooperation was laid during a very informative afternoon.