Thesis

An investigation into the sensitivity of the River Dee catchment to climate changes and the implications of this for the Galloway Hydroelectric Power Scheme

Creator
Rights statement
Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2018
Thesis identifier
  • T15308
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 201768622
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • Effective future water resources management is key to meeting the challenges of the water-energy nexus. Climate change is often highlighted as a risk to future resources, yet the impact of climate change on water resources can also be localised, complex and multifaceted, bringing potentially both benefit and threat to systems. The aim of this research is to understand response of rivers to future climate to assess potential opportunities or threat to natural resources for the Galloway Hydroelectric Power Station.;Hydrological and meteorological data was assessed for the River Dee over the past 30 years (1985 to 2014) to identify trends by which responses of rivers to changing local climate parameters can be better understood. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate and isolate which climatic factors force hydrological changes in the area. Results are assessed alongside climate projections, to understand how future climate changes will impact river flow, and thus future hydropower.;Results show that the River Dee is responsive to temperature exclusively in the dry, summer months. It is understood that temperatures in the region do not reach high enough to trigger a hydrological response during the winter months i.e. catchments remain wet and saturated. This picture presents risks for dry season river flow, as climate projections suggest an annual increase to temperatures, presenting the opportunity for raised summer temperatures to significantly reduce flow volume.;Results also show the River Dee is responsive to evapotranspiration and precipitation, dominantly, throughout the year. If winter flows rise to the projected rates, it may lead to reservoirs reaching storage capacity quicker and therefore buffer the opportunity to harness future water resource to full potential.;These results, coupled with 2050 and 2080 climate projections, should not necessarily be cause for concern, but a trigger for awareness raising in management of water resource practices.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Lord, Richard
  • Bertram, Douglas
Resource Type
DOI
Date Created
  • 2018
Former identifier
  • 9912736593102996

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file details File 2021-07-02 University of Strathclyde