Abstract:

Development and operation of hydropower projects has been a serious problem causing worldwide concern because of their impact on ecological and environmental system. China has entered into an ecologicalconstraintstage. Successful practice in some developed countries by means of establishing ecological and environmental protection standards and promoting corresponding ecological and environmental certification may have some reference significance for hydropower projects in China. In this article, the authors briefly introduced the main concepts, technical standards and operational mechanism of “Green Hydropower” in Switzerland and “Low Impact Hydropower” in USA, with a comparative analysis of the two. Based on the analysis, the authors analysed their necessity and feasibility in China in order to establish the environmental standards and certification procedures in the country. The authors further discussed the potential problems which may exist in the process of promoting hydropower environmental certification in China.

Key words: low impact hydropower, green hydropower, certification system