Side-event at World Water Day 2014 // Adressing the Water-Energy Nexus: The Role and Sustainability of Hydropower - Tokyo, Japan

Energy generation is impossible without water; water needs energy to be pumped and treated. Therefore, water and energy are closely interlinked. Hydropower is one answer to the attempt to meet the MDGs. Many aspects about it will be discussed on this side event to the World Water Day 2014 The side-event will examine the unique role that water can play in modern energy systems through the use of storage hydropower. It will also investigate the sustainability challenges that might be encountered, and how performance and improvements might be achieved to optimize multi-purpose benefits. To this end, the issue will be addressed from various perspectives including research and management, capacity development and training, among other perspectives. To prepare the ground for fruitful discussions, short presentations will be made at the beginning by Prof. Dr. Reza Ardakanian, Director of UNU-FLORES, Richard Taylor, Director of IHA, and Dr. Jens Liebe, UNW-DPC.