ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND OTHER NON-PROFIT IMPACTS OF MOUNTAIN STREAMS USAGE AS RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES

The main subject of this manuscript is mountain streams used by construction of small hydro power plants. The motivation for this research stemmed from a number of conflicting opinions about the justification of the construction of small hydropower plants and their facilities. This research encompasses different methods for the analysis of the justification of the construction of a small hydropower plant, starting from tradition in correlation with water mills, through a techno-economic approach to a complex multi-criteria research model. All methods are represented by objective formulas.

World experiences are also presented, through the level of potential utilization, compared to the degree of development. The possible positive and negative impacts of the construction of such facilities for the exploitation of the potential of small watercourses were analyzed. After the conducted research, and with respect to the principle of minimum energy, which has become the paradigm of modern civilization, it can be concluded that using the potential of small watercourses by building small hydropower plants belongs to the domain of using renewable energy sources and that it is a function of sustainable development.

Decision makers are recommended to exclusively apply a multi-criteria methodology, which can holistically include all technical, economic, environmental, social and other non-profitable but important impacts.