Run-of-River Water Power

What is run-of-river water power?

Run-of-river (RoR) water power is a method of harnessing energy inherently associated with the flow and topographical course of a creek or river. A quantity of the water flow is diverted through turbines, resulting in the generation of electrical power. Run-of-river power projects have much lower environmental impacts than large-scale hydropower projects because RoR projects do not store any water in large-scale dams or reservoirs. This minimizes aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem impacts.

What are some advantages of run-of-river water power generation?

• no air emissions
• carbon-free
• produced from resources that are replenished naturally
• small-scale and renewable

How is a run-of-river project assessed as a source of green power?

British Columbia Hydro (BC Hydro) evaluates potentially green project proposals against detailed low environmental impact and social responsibility criteria.
To briefly summarize, for a project to be considered green it must be:

• Renewable: The energy source must be replenishable by natural processes within a reasonable length of time - at the longest, within about one average human life span. For example, hydroelectric generation relies on water, which is a renewable resource. Natural gas electrical generation relies on a fossil fuel, a resource that does not meet this renewable criterion.



• Licensable: The project must meet all relevant regulations and standards.



• Socially responsible: The project must be developed in a socially responsible manner. This criterion must be judged on a site-specific basis. Every project within BC Hydro's green acquisition process is reviewed according to specific social responsibility criteria.



• Low environmental impact: The project must avoid unacceptably high environmental impacts such as damage to fish populations, endangered species or air quality. This criterion is evaluated on a site and technology-specific basis. Every green project within BC Hydro's acquisition process is reviewed according to the criteria that correspond to the project's technology.