In this project, an ANU team worked together with the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and its Member Country stakeholders in order to improve technical understanding of and options for renewable energy-PSH development. The work included providing information on the:

a) engineering and economic factors;

b) water resource benefits and impacts; and

c) climate change benefits.

This activity provided the MRC and its Member Country (MC) partners with improved knowledge of options for an energy transition that also enhances water management flexibility in the Mekong basin. Practically the options focused on renewables (wind and solar) backed up by pumped storage hydropower.

There were two key knowledge exchange activities run during the course of the project, along with extensive collaboration with key project stakeholders. This helped to strengthen relationships between the ANU, the MRC and other stakeholders in the region in relation to the renewable energy transition and through this, climate resilient water management.

The project was the first stage of assistance from the ANU in the Mekong region to build water and energy security, at the same time as transitioning to zero/low carbon electricity grids, and enhancing regional climate resilience.

The project outputs below provide additional details:

ANU Technical Contributions to the Mekong River Commission Proactive Regional Planning Process

Supporting Briefing notes to the Technical Contributions Report

• Firm Briefing Note
• Pumped Hydro Atlas Note
• Heat Map Briefing Note

Policy Briefs

• The Firm Model in the Mekong
• Firming Solar and Wind (Use of Batteries and Pumped Storage Hydropower)