Innovation is the key to Europe’s future dams

The need for dams is increasing, supported by demand for low-carbon power systems and concern for global warming. Most existing European dams could be operating up to 2100, but many will lose much of their storage capacity as a result of siltation. The traditional development of dams on rivers to create new reservoirs is declining and a concerted effort to propose alternative river uses, off-river dams and dams at sea, as well as innovative dam designs, may be necessary, in view of future energy and water needs. Some possibilities are proposed in this paper.