Our Projects
explore the breadth of Our past experiences and Results by selecting a picture below.
click here for A FULL list of past Consulting Assignments.
Storage hydropower projects have a large impact on downstream flows: Akosombo dam, Ghana.
Hydropower, Solar and Wind Integration
Solar and wind are rapidly overtaking all other power generation technologies in terms of new investment, but they alone won’t be able to power the grid of the future. Some types of hydropower are well suited to back up variable solar and wind generation, yet may require changes to infrastructure and operations.
Joerg is evaluating these changes with The Nature Conservancy, WWF and the International Hydropower Association. There are many technical options to integrate variable renewables, all with different costs and impacts. At the early stages of solar and wind expansion, power grids can adjust without large additional investments – for example, through demand management and better forecasting of generation. At later stages, new hardware becomes necessary – for example, transmission lines and storage facilities.
Pumped storage hydro projects can store large amounts of power but can also have a large footprint if not carefully sited, designed and operated. Downstream releases from hydro projects can become highly irregular as they react to variable wind and solar generation, affecting social and ecological values downstream. Imagine a country powered by solar during the day and hydropower during the night – would that mean that rivers would also flow only during the night? Finding ways to mitigate these impacts will be key to the future role of hydropower.
Solar and wind are rapidly overtaking all other power generation technologies in terms of new investment, but they alone won’t be able to power the grid of the future. Some types of hydropower are well suited to back up variable solar and wind generation, yet may require changes to infrastructure and operations.
Joerg is evaluating these changes with The Nature Conservancy, WWF and the International Hydropower Association. There are many technical options to integrate variable renewables, all with different costs and impacts. At the early stages of solar and wind expansion, power grids can adjust without large additional investments – for example, through demand management and better forecasting of generation. At later stages, new hardware becomes necessary – for example, transmission lines and storage facilities.
Pumped storage hydro projects can store large amounts of power but can also have a large footprint if not carefully sited, designed and operated. Downstream releases from hydro projects can become highly irregular as they react to variable wind and solar generation, affecting social and ecological values downstream. Imagine a country powered by solar during the day and hydropower during the night – would that mean that rivers would also flow only during the night? Finding ways to mitigate these impacts will be key to the future role of hydropower.
Joerg in front of a geothermal test well at the Hellisheidi complex in south-west Iceland.
Sustainability Standards
Renewable energy needs to be expanded on a massive scale, but is running into increasing public acceptance problems. Joerg helped develop practical tools to overcome this. He represented WWF on the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Forum, a global multi-stakeholder working group that developed consensus definitions of what ‘sustainable’ means in practice, and summarized this in the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP). Joerg was appointed as the first chairperson of the Governance Committee for the HSAP and became an Accredited Lead Assessor, applying the HSAP to more than 30 projects worldwide. He advises developers and stakeholders, provides training, and writes HSAP guidelines.
In 2016, a group of Icelandic government agencies and power companies contracted Joerg to help adapt the HSAP to a sustainability protocol for geothermal energy, the Geothermal Sustainability Assessment Protocol (GSAP). He then led assessments of the Theistareykir and Hellisheidi projects with the draft GSAP, which led to further refinements. Joerg also applied the GSAP in a scoping assessment in Indonesia, the country with the largest geothermal potential. The GSAP is expected to be adopted by the global geothermal industry, making it the second renewable technology with a dedicated tool to achieve best practices across all aspects of sustainability.
Joerg is also involved with the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard for responsible water management by major water users such as industrial sites, large irrigated farms, beverage companies, municipal water suppliers, or military bases. He is accredited to provide services under the AWS Professional Credentialing Program, and has helped an international pharmaceutical company prepare for certification.
Renewable energy needs to be expanded on a massive scale, but is running into increasing public acceptance problems. Joerg helped develop practical tools to overcome this. He represented WWF on the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Forum, a global multi-stakeholder working group that developed consensus definitions of what ‘sustainable’ means in practice, and summarized this in the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP). Joerg was appointed as the first chairperson of the Governance Committee for the HSAP and became an Accredited Lead Assessor, applying the HSAP to more than 30 projects worldwide. He advises developers and stakeholders, provides training, and writes HSAP guidelines.
In 2016, a group of Icelandic government agencies and power companies contracted Joerg to help adapt the HSAP to a sustainability protocol for geothermal energy, the Geothermal Sustainability Assessment Protocol (GSAP). He then led assessments of the Theistareykir and Hellisheidi projects with the draft GSAP, which led to further refinements. Joerg also applied the GSAP in a scoping assessment in Indonesia, the country with the largest geothermal potential. The GSAP is expected to be adopted by the global geothermal industry, making it the second renewable technology with a dedicated tool to achieve best practices across all aspects of sustainability.
Joerg is also involved with the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard for responsible water management by major water users such as industrial sites, large irrigated farms, beverage companies, municipal water suppliers, or military bases. He is accredited to provide services under the AWS Professional Credentialing Program, and has helped an international pharmaceutical company prepare for certification.
University of Massachusetts Amherst IGERT, Kendra's research group, at the University of Maine’s VolturnUS, a floating wind turbine prototype.
Offshore Wind Siting
Despite a usable offshore wind energy resource of 2,400 GW, the United States only has one commercial offshore wind project installed, the 30 MW Block Island Wind Farm. Offshore turbines benefit from steadier and stronger wind and close proximity to coastal demand centers, and don’t take up space on land. Despite recognition of these advantages, significant challenges still exist in the U.S., including high equipment costs, uncertain policy, stakeholder resistance, lack of manufacturing and supply chains, and a cumbersome permitting process. Other renewable energy technologies experience similar challenges.
Kendra’s PhD research was in an interdisciplinary program focused on overcoming policy and permitting barriers. She advocated for siting through marine spatial planning, based on open access data portals that incorporate data from species distribution models, collaborative data collection efforts, and industry-funded baseline research. Her research included lessons learned in Europe, which are helping the U.S. realize its offshore potential more quickly, and deconflict this nascent industry with traditional users of coastal areas. More than 2.5 GW of offshore wind projects are now being planned along the Atlantic Coast.
Despite a usable offshore wind energy resource of 2,400 GW, the United States only has one commercial offshore wind project installed, the 30 MW Block Island Wind Farm. Offshore turbines benefit from steadier and stronger wind and close proximity to coastal demand centers, and don’t take up space on land. Despite recognition of these advantages, significant challenges still exist in the U.S., including high equipment costs, uncertain policy, stakeholder resistance, lack of manufacturing and supply chains, and a cumbersome permitting process. Other renewable energy technologies experience similar challenges.
Kendra’s PhD research was in an interdisciplinary program focused on overcoming policy and permitting barriers. She advocated for siting through marine spatial planning, based on open access data portals that incorporate data from species distribution models, collaborative data collection efforts, and industry-funded baseline research. Her research included lessons learned in Europe, which are helping the U.S. realize its offshore potential more quickly, and deconflict this nascent industry with traditional users of coastal areas. More than 2.5 GW of offshore wind projects are now being planned along the Atlantic Coast.
Authorities in Bhutan, concerned with making the best out of the country’s hydropower potential.
Cumulative Impact Assessments
It used to be sufficient to look at the impacts of an individual project in isolation. However, in our complex world today, impacts must be assessed and managed at broader spatial and temporal scales. Impacts from different projects and trends in demographics, land use, climate and others will overlap. Governments and financiers now require assessments of cumulative impacts, and analysis methods for assessments are rapidly evolving.
Joerg was the socio-economic expert in two cumulative impact assessments funded by the World Bank Group for the Myitnge and Kuri-Gongri river basins, in Myanmar and Bhutan, two countries with large hydropower potential. To be useful for decision-making, potential impacts of projects must be relevant to stakeholders, metrics to quantify these impacts must be transparent, and trade-offs have to be clearly explained. Engagement with local stakeholders and central governments was therefore crucial in the assessment process. Authorities in both countries are now using the results to prioritize new investments and to plan mitigation for potential negative impacts.
It used to be sufficient to look at the impacts of an individual project in isolation. However, in our complex world today, impacts must be assessed and managed at broader spatial and temporal scales. Impacts from different projects and trends in demographics, land use, climate and others will overlap. Governments and financiers now require assessments of cumulative impacts, and analysis methods for assessments are rapidly evolving.
Joerg was the socio-economic expert in two cumulative impact assessments funded by the World Bank Group for the Myitnge and Kuri-Gongri river basins, in Myanmar and Bhutan, two countries with large hydropower potential. To be useful for decision-making, potential impacts of projects must be relevant to stakeholders, metrics to quantify these impacts must be transparent, and trade-offs have to be clearly explained. Engagement with local stakeholders and central governments was therefore crucial in the assessment process. Authorities in both countries are now using the results to prioritize new investments and to plan mitigation for potential negative impacts.
Kendra on the lookout for whales on board the NRV (NATO Research Vessel) Alliance.
Whales and Sonar
Marine wildlife may be affected by noise, and one particular concern is the impact of mid-frequency active sonar on Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). Experiments and military exercises have been associated with atypical strandings of these whales. Despite decades of research, scientists still don’t understand the exact relationship. Sound waves from active sonar could cause beaked whales to change their diving behavior, resulting in gas bubbles to form, similar to decompression sickness in humans.
Kendra worked at the forefront of this issue on the Marine Mammal Risk Management Program at the NATO Undersea Research Centre from 2007-2010. She coordinated multi-national sea-trials that tested prototype sensors to track beaked whales, and developed models designed to predict their habitat. Applying the precautionary principle, she advised international navies on mitigation strategies for sonar operations, which successfully reduced risks to beaked whales.
Marine wildlife may be affected by noise, and one particular concern is the impact of mid-frequency active sonar on Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). Experiments and military exercises have been associated with atypical strandings of these whales. Despite decades of research, scientists still don’t understand the exact relationship. Sound waves from active sonar could cause beaked whales to change their diving behavior, resulting in gas bubbles to form, similar to decompression sickness in humans.
Kendra worked at the forefront of this issue on the Marine Mammal Risk Management Program at the NATO Undersea Research Centre from 2007-2010. She coordinated multi-national sea-trials that tested prototype sensors to track beaked whales, and developed models designed to predict their habitat. Applying the precautionary principle, she advised international navies on mitigation strategies for sonar operations, which successfully reduced risks to beaked whales.
Restored river after the storm and the bulldozers were gone.
Emergency Flood Management
Since 1936, the Army Corps of Engineers has the responsibility to control flooding on rivers of the United States. As environmental awareness increased, the Corps adopted ecosystem restoration as one of its missions and also integrated it into its management of flood risk. River restoration projects are conducted during normal operations, as well as in the midst of emergencies.
In 2006, Kendra worked with the Environmental Resources and Cultural Branch of the Corps in the US Pacific Northwest. In the fall, heavy rains in this region often result in swollen rivers spilling their banks, including the Skagit River - both a prime salmon river and a flood threat to communities. Through her efforts, ecosystems were restored along the Skagit, creating salmon and other habitat while protecting homes and critical infrastructure. For example, storm debris such as logs and branches was used to create riparian habitat while heavy equipment was on site.
Since 1936, the Army Corps of Engineers has the responsibility to control flooding on rivers of the United States. As environmental awareness increased, the Corps adopted ecosystem restoration as one of its missions and also integrated it into its management of flood risk. River restoration projects are conducted during normal operations, as well as in the midst of emergencies.
In 2006, Kendra worked with the Environmental Resources and Cultural Branch of the Corps in the US Pacific Northwest. In the fall, heavy rains in this region often result in swollen rivers spilling their banks, including the Skagit River - both a prime salmon river and a flood threat to communities. Through her efforts, ecosystems were restored along the Skagit, creating salmon and other habitat while protecting homes and critical infrastructure. For example, storm debris such as logs and branches was used to create riparian habitat while heavy equipment was on site.
Local community on the southern coast of Papua New Guinea, at the mouth of the Purari River.
Risk Management for International Investors
Developers of large renewable projects have to navigate complex requirements and expectations, especially when operating outside their home country. Between 2012 and 2014, Joerg advised Origin Energy, a large Australian power company, on potential hydropower investments abroad. These were substantial projects of approximately 1,000 MW in Chile’s Patagonia and more than 2,000 MW in Papua New Guinea, on the Purari River.
Joerg’s role was to review feasibility studies, impact assessments and other documents from Origin’s consultants; advise on social and environmental risks and mitigation options; and support the engagement of local experts and stakeholders. This also led to the establishment of a Panel of Experts for the Energía Austral projects in Chile, which reviewed compliance with the IFC Performance Standards. Ultimately, Origin decided to suspend preparation of both projects.
Developers of large renewable projects have to navigate complex requirements and expectations, especially when operating outside their home country. Between 2012 and 2014, Joerg advised Origin Energy, a large Australian power company, on potential hydropower investments abroad. These were substantial projects of approximately 1,000 MW in Chile’s Patagonia and more than 2,000 MW in Papua New Guinea, on the Purari River.
Joerg’s role was to review feasibility studies, impact assessments and other documents from Origin’s consultants; advise on social and environmental risks and mitigation options; and support the engagement of local experts and stakeholders. This also led to the establishment of a Panel of Experts for the Energía Austral projects in Chile, which reviewed compliance with the IFC Performance Standards. Ultimately, Origin decided to suspend preparation of both projects.
Site visit to the planned Pak Lay
hydropower project, Laos.
Hydropower Development on the Mekong River
Multiple hydropower projects have been built and prepared on the Mekong River and its tributaries in recent years. These projects are changing the dynamics of this river system, which has the largest freshwater fishery and the second-largest biodiversity in the world. Joerg has collaborated with several organizations on the implications of these projects.
WWF contracted Joerg on several occasions to work on environmental aspects of hydropower development. He evaluated the lending practices of regional banks, which have funded most of these projects; advised on campaigns that advocated for better project selection, and on technical publications, such as mangrove ecosystem restoration guidelines; analyzed the long-term risks for the delta in Vietnam; and explored the planned Sambor and Stung Treng projects. These were expected to have the most adverse environmental and social impacts of any projects on the Mekong, but have now been suspended by the Cambodian government.
Joerg developed a manual on hydropower’s role in the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, as part of a series of training manuals for GIZ. Condesan in Ecuador also supported a translation of the manual into Spanish. Joerg has since worked extensively on climate change and hydropower, including membership in the technical working group of the Climate Bonds Initiative and delivery of several trainings.
Since 2017, Joerg has also been part of an international group of experts that advises the inter-governmental Mekong River Commission (MRC). He developed guidelines on socio-economic impact mitigation, and evaluated local and transboundary socio-economic impacts of several projects on the Mekong mainstream.
Multiple hydropower projects have been built and prepared on the Mekong River and its tributaries in recent years. These projects are changing the dynamics of this river system, which has the largest freshwater fishery and the second-largest biodiversity in the world. Joerg has collaborated with several organizations on the implications of these projects.
WWF contracted Joerg on several occasions to work on environmental aspects of hydropower development. He evaluated the lending practices of regional banks, which have funded most of these projects; advised on campaigns that advocated for better project selection, and on technical publications, such as mangrove ecosystem restoration guidelines; analyzed the long-term risks for the delta in Vietnam; and explored the planned Sambor and Stung Treng projects. These were expected to have the most adverse environmental and social impacts of any projects on the Mekong, but have now been suspended by the Cambodian government.
Joerg developed a manual on hydropower’s role in the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, as part of a series of training manuals for GIZ. Condesan in Ecuador also supported a translation of the manual into Spanish. Joerg has since worked extensively on climate change and hydropower, including membership in the technical working group of the Climate Bonds Initiative and delivery of several trainings.
Since 2017, Joerg has also been part of an international group of experts that advises the inter-governmental Mekong River Commission (MRC). He developed guidelines on socio-economic impact mitigation, and evaluated local and transboundary socio-economic impacts of several projects on the Mekong mainstream.
Improving the quality of life through better access to water.
Investment Programming in Tanzania
Only about half of Africa’s population has access to an ‘improved water source’, and even fewer have access to ‘improved sanitation’. Lack of clean and safe water carries a high burden, especially for women and children. Many African countries have traditionally relied on foreign aid for major water investments. These aid organizations design their own projects, often with little coordination with each other or with the countries’ governments, resulting in an inefficient patchwork of projects.
From 2004 to 2007, Joerg was the country director for the German Development Bank, KfW, in Tanzania, with a large portfolio of urban and rural water projects. To overcome the fragmentation in the sector, donors decided to better coordinate their efforts. Joerg was elected chair of the Development Partners Group for the Water Sector, and worked with other donors and the Ministry of Water to establish investment priorities, harmonize procedures, and raise more resources for the sector. Phase I of the joint Water Sector Development Program received more than USD 1 billion in funding. Despite implementation challenges, progress was made. For example, by 2014, more than 8 million people had received new village water connections.
Only about half of Africa’s population has access to an ‘improved water source’, and even fewer have access to ‘improved sanitation’. Lack of clean and safe water carries a high burden, especially for women and children. Many African countries have traditionally relied on foreign aid for major water investments. These aid organizations design their own projects, often with little coordination with each other or with the countries’ governments, resulting in an inefficient patchwork of projects.
From 2004 to 2007, Joerg was the country director for the German Development Bank, KfW, in Tanzania, with a large portfolio of urban and rural water projects. To overcome the fragmentation in the sector, donors decided to better coordinate their efforts. Joerg was elected chair of the Development Partners Group for the Water Sector, and worked with other donors and the Ministry of Water to establish investment priorities, harmonize procedures, and raise more resources for the sector. Phase I of the joint Water Sector Development Program received more than USD 1 billion in funding. Despite implementation challenges, progress was made. For example, by 2014, more than 8 million people had received new village water connections.
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