Meeting climate change mitigation and sustainable development goals requires rapid transition to renewable energy. Hydropower, a reliable renewable energy, is the leading source of renewable-generated electricity. But dams negatively impact the structure and function of rivers that are critical for biodiversity and people’s livelihoods. Wind and solar energy, especially if developed on already converted lands, provide a lower-impact alternative, but can be variable requiring other renewable sources to deliver reliable power. This group seeks to develop integrated models to address these intertwined challenges of grid performance (what technologies and features are needed for a stable grid) with landscape function (where to site those technologies to minimize impacts).

OUR APPROACH: The team will demonstrate how integrating power sector modeling and conservation planning can provide clear guidance for energy policy on how to achieve power systems that are low carbon, low cost and have low conflicts with communities, rivers, and other ecosystems. They will focus on Peru where stakeholders and conservation organizations are committed to develop tools to promote long-term sustainable integration of renewable to meet energy demands.