Specifically, we aim to: 

• Investigate the potential and limits of nature-based solutions and river restoration for climate adaption in combination with hydropower infrastructure (for droughts, floods and temperature extremes). 
• Compare economic costs, social acceptability and environmental impacts of alternative nature-based and/or hydropower-based climate adaption measures.  
• Flood dampening by hydropower infrastructure under new operational regimes of reservoirs (filling), bypassing and climate change. 
• Analyse and develop coordination mechanisms and economic incentives in regulated systems of multiple hydropower utilities and reservoir owners, and across sectors (various public sectors, agriculture, insurance) to provide coupled services.  
• Investigate and demonstrate innovative combinations of hydropower and flood reduction in regulated and unregulated catchments (flood tunnels, transfer from unregulated to regulated basins). 

Additionally, the project aims to establish a deeper connection between the hydraulic aspects of flood mitigation and the ecological consequences. Understanding these interdependencies is essential for developing strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts on ecosystems. 

Key ecological research questions 

A fundamental objective of the project is to develop strategies that support ecosystem resilience and functionality under climate change in hydropower-impacted systems. This involves addressing key research questions such as: 

• How can ecological resilience be enhanced in the face of more extreme weather patterns in regulated systems? 
• What adaptive management strategies can be implemented to balance flood mitigation, and morphological changes in aquatic systems with ecological sustainability? 
• How can hydropower operations be optimized to support biodiversity and ecosystem services under changing climatic conditions (droughts and floods)? 

By addressing these questions, the project aims to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between hydropower operations and ecosystem sustainability, ultimately informing adaptive strategies that align with future climate scenarios.