Computer-based tools for assessment of small-scale hydropower resources and project feasibility: a review

This article analyses and compares computer-based tools designed for small hydropower (SHP) potential assessment, site planning, and design, focusing on the initial assessment phase of project evaluation. The review draws from various sources, including open-access publications, research papers and projects, data repositories, and web resources. This paper presents more than 40 software tools currently in use, their main features, comparative analysis, and research studies using them, including a brief reminder of historic software tools. These tools can provide simple initial estimates or be sophisticated software considering unconventional (in-conduit) hydro. They are categorised into four groups: i) Hydraulic turbine selection (4 software), ii) Site feasibility assessment (18), iii) Environmental flow assessment (5), iv) Web-based hydropower atlases (9), and v) Multicriteria analysis (3).

The review highlights that while there are numerous tools for site assessment, the development of new tools for turbine selection, particularly for innovative hydro turbines, has declined. It also notes the increasing adoption of digital platforms and web-based mapping for hydropower, driven by advancements in GIS, which aid in identifying feasible hydro sites. Special tools for applying multicriteria analysis to evaluate conflicting and other aspects of hydropower development are also discussed. The paper emphasises the importance of user feedback in improving these tools. It critically reviews the available tools, summarises best practices, and provides guidelines for their further application and enhancement in hydropower resource assessment and project site feasibility evaluation. This review aims to assist SHP designers and practitioners in selecting the most suitable software.