Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the optimization of retention
ponds for energy production by a low-head hydropower converter towards smart water
grids and new flood adaptation solutions. Flood drainage systems are infrastructures
essential in urban areas to control floods, which include retention ponds that can be
used as innovative solutions adapted to climate changes and smart water grids to
produce energy in a near future and to improve the drainage system elasticity. A
catchment-scale water/energy management model is used for designing solutions by
defining the characteristics of the urban area and the hydropower converters. The
study area is based on Alcântara zone, in a district of Lisbon, a specific down-town
zone close to the Tagus river, which has the backwater sea tidal influence. A solution
based on the catchment of this area for extreme values of runoff induced by a
significant climate changes event in these last years is analysed and then optimized
in terms of energy production for different characteristic parameters. Finally, results
are shown and discussed to reveal the most suitable solutions.
