Modelling the potential effects of climate change on the Grande Dixence hydro-electricity scheme, Switzerland

For mountain communities which depend upon glacier-fed hydro-electric power schemes as an important source of energy, climate change poses a considera ble threat. However, relatively few studies have examined this threat by in vestigating the joint impacts on meltwater production and energy use. In th is paper, a simple water-balance model is used to combine the results of ic e-melt and energy-demand models to estimate the water level for the Grande Dixence reservoir, Switzerland. The potential impact of climate change on t he scheme is also assessed using a regional climate-change scenario.