Role of Dams and Reservoirs in a Successful Energy Transition (PDF)

Robert Boes studied civil engineering in Germany and France, graduating from the Technical University of Munich in 1996. He then became a research engineer at ETH Zurich (Switzerland), obtaining a Doctorate in hydraulic engineering in 2000. After a postdoctoral research period at ETH Zurich, he joined in 2002 the Hydro Engineering Department of the Tyrolean Utility TIWAG in Innsbruck, Austria, where he was involved in various projects relating to hydropower schemes, hydraulics and flood protection and became head of the Dam Construction Group. In 2009, he was appointed Professor for Hydraulic Structures at ETH Zurich, where he directs the Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW). He is president of the Swiss Committee on Dams and a board member of the Swiss Association for Water Resources Management, and the Energy Science Center at ETH Zurich. As an expert with dam, hydropower and flood protection projects, he is involved in Switzerland and abroad. His research interests are mainly related to dam hydraulics and dam safety, reservoir sedimentation, sediment monitoring, sustainable hydropower, hydro-abrasive wear of hydraulic structures and machinery, as well as natural hazard mitigation and flood protection.

Patrice Droz is a civil engineer with more than 40 years of experience and a track record in dam design, rehabilitation and safety. He graduated at EPFL in 1982 and obtained a PhD, also at EPFL, in 1987. After a post-doc at Northwestern University, he oriented his activities towards consulting engineering, first at Bonnard & Gardel and then at Stucky, now Gruner, where he has been Technical Director for several years. He has been involved in many projects in Switzerland and worldwide, particularly in China, DR Congo, France, Georgia, Haiti, Iran, Kirghizistan, Libya, Morocco, Myanmar, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine and Zambia. Patrice Droz is currently expert for the safety of four