Title
The Projected Precipitation Reduction over the Central Andes may Severely Affect Peruvian Glaciers and Hydropower Production
Date Issued
01 January 2016
Access level
open access
Resource Type
conference paper
Author(s)
Kronenberg M.
Schauwecker S.
Huggel C.
Salzmann N.
Frey H.
Giraáldez C.
Gurgiser W.
Kaser G.
Juen I.
Hernaández J.G.
Sanmartín J.F.
Ayros E.
Perry B.
Rohrer M.
Publisher(s)
Elsevier Ltd
Abstract
Water from glaciers is crucial for the Peruvian hydropower production. Hence, we investigate the glacier-atmosphere and climate interactions in the Cordillera Vilcanota, considering scenarios of significant precipitation reductions until 2100. The glacier mass balance model ITGG-2.0 is used for analysing the energy balance components regarding the projections. The results indicate that a precipitation decrease not only affects the accumulation rate of glaciers but also influences the ablation energy availability. Therefore, glacier retreat in the Central Andes is expected to accelerate, making water availability unsustainable and likely leading to future shortages for the hydropower sector and for other water consuming systems.
Start page
270
End page
277
Volume
97
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Investigación climática
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85008248280
Source
Energy Procedia
ISSN of the container
18766102
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus