HYDRO 2024

HYDRO 2024 International Conference and Exhibition will take place at the Messe Congress Graz (MCG), Austria from the 18 - 20 November, 2024.

HYDRO 2024 RETURNS TO AUSTRIA Austria has a long hydropower heritage, and more than half (53 per cent) of the country’s electricity comes from hydro. There is nearly 15 GW of hydro capacity in operation, and Austria is Europe’s most active country for pumped storage, with four new pumped-storage plants under construction, totalling 865 MW, and several more planned, including Kaunertal (1015 MW) in the Tyrol, and Ebensee (170 MW) in Upper Austria. Construction of small and mediumscale run-of-river schemes is also continuing, and Verbund is currently focusing on upgrading and repowering existing plants, as well as testing new storage technologies.

Graz is the capital of Styria, in Austria, and the largest city in the province, which is a green and heavily forested region on the eastern edge of the Alps. It is located in the Graz Basin and surrounded by mountains and hills to the north, east and west. At the heart of its old town is Hauptplatz, the medieval main square. The narrow surrounding streets blend Renaissance and baroque architecture. A funicular leads up Schlossberg, and the Uhrturm, a centuries-old clock. tower. Across the River Mur, the futuristic Kunsthaus Graz exhibits contemporary art. It is a vibrant university town. Many experts from the world-renowned TU Graz are frequent contributors to the HYDRO conference programmes each year, and will have much to present this time, including a possible visit to the hydraulic laboratory.

The conference aims to bring together around 1200 international delegates from at least 75 countries, to discuss all topical aspects of hydropower, dam engineering and pumped-storage development. Speakers will address potential and prospects, new technology, safety and risk, project finance and environmental issues. Messe Congress Graz (MCG) is a modern, state-of-the-art conference and exhibition centre in the middle of town, with spacious facilities for HYDRO 2024. It is within walking distance of most of the hotels which are being booked for delegates. A major technical exhibition will, as always, be held alongside the conference, and there will be plenty of networking opportunities for exhibitors to make contacts with international delegates from all parts of the world.