Global Trends in Hydropower Research: A Bibliometric Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32497/eksergi.v22i02.7533Keywords:
Renewable Energy, hydropower, bibliometrix, sustainable energy system, energy transitionAbstract
The transformation of the global energy sector, driven by climate change, energy security and sustainability challenges, has increased attention to renewable energy, especially hydropower as a reliable and stable source. This study aims to analyze the development of hydropower research in sustainable energy systems using an integrated bibliometric approach. Descriptive quantitative methods were applied to 2,151 Scopus indexed documents, analyzed using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix, with a focus on publication trends, keyword co-occurrence, scientific collaboration and citation impact. The results show significant growth in hydropower publications, increasing from 246 documents in 2020 to more than 516 in 2025, indicating its increasing relevance in the global energy transition. The keyword “hydropower” was identified as a central node, which is closely related to renewable energy, decarbonization and sustainability. Furthermore, the findings highlight the multidisciplinary nature of hydropower research, encompassing technological, environmental and future energy innovation aspects, along with the predominance of contributions from a few leading countries and researchers. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive mapping of the scientific dynamics of hydropower and offers strategic insights to support future progress in sustainable energy development.
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[1] A. Upadhyay, T. Tröndle, A. Ganter, I. Petkov, P. Gabrielli, and G. Sansavini, “The role of energy storage towards net-zero emissions in the European electricity system,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 338, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2025.119887.
[2] X. Xiao, S. Jiang, Z. Zheng, M. Zhang, Y. Chen, and X. Chen, “Integrated Decision-Making Methodology for Low-Carbon Data Center Siting, Dispatch, and Transmission Based on Wind-Solar-Hydro-Computing Synergy,” IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., 2026, doi: 10.1109/TIA.2026.3654490.
[3] Y. Anker et al., “Solar-powered wastewater treatment: Integrating pumped storage and hydroelectric generation for autonomous operation,” Energy Reports, vol. 14, pp. 2247–2263, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2025.09.003.
[4] Z. H. Siregar et al., “Optimalisasi sistem plumbing hemat air di Rusun Brimob Sampali Medan: edukasi teknologi dan manajemen limbah cair,” J. Derma Pengabdi. Dosen Perguru. Tinggi (Jurnal DEPUTI), vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 329–340, 2025, doi: 10.54123/deputi.v5i1.399.
[5] M. K. Bedanokov, P. Y. Buchatskiy, S. V Teploukhov, and S. V Onishchenko, “DESIGNING A DISTRIBUTED RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION SYSTEM FOR USE IN CHALLENGING CLIMATIC AND LANDSCAPE CONDITIONS,” Russ. J. Earth Sci., vol. 25, no. 6, 2026, doi: 10.2205/2025ES001078.
[6] D. Siregar et al., “Studi hukum tentang tingkat perceraian dan efeknya terhadap anak,” J. Derma Pengabdi. Dosen Perguru. Tinggi (Jurnal DEPUTI), vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 178–185, 2023, doi: 10.54123/deputi.v3i2.276.
[7] Y. Li et al., “Research on Automatic Power Generation Control and Primary Frequency Regulation Parameter Characteristics of Hydropower Units,” Water (Switzerland), vol. 17, no. 20, 2025, doi: 10.3390/w17202944.
[8] X. Li, W. Wang, H. Wang, J. Wu, X. Fan, and Q. Xu, “Dynamic environmental economic dispatch of hybrid renewable energy systems based on tradable green certificates,” Energy, vol. 193, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.116699.
[9] M. Maisuria, L. Ratadiya, and A. Patel, “Computational investigation and optimization of the bulb turbine for ultra-low head application,” Renew. Energy, vol. 230, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.120876.
[10] N. Zheng, Y. He, Y. Dan, K. Yang, and Y. Zhou, “Optimisation Operation Strategy for Cascaded Small Hydropower Aggregation Virtual Power Plants Considering Hydro-Logical Processes,” IET Smart Grid, vol. 9, no. 1, 2026, doi: 10.1049/stg2.70049.
[11] J. J. P. Juruna et al., “Socioenvironmental impacts of the Belo Monte hydroelectric power plant as revealed by Indigenous and ribeirinho monitoring,” Conserv. Biol., vol. 39, no. 3, 2025, doi: 10.1111/cobi.70043.
[12] W. Crijns-Graus, P. Wild, M. P. Amineh, J. Hu, and H. Yue, “International Comparison of Research and Investments in New Renewable Electricity Technologies: A Focus on the European Union and China,” Energies, vol. 15, no. 17, 2022, doi: 10.3390/en15176383.
[13] Z. H. Siregar et al., “Pengembangan aliran sungai sebagai potensi Pembangkit Listrik Mikro Hidro serta edukasi dan akulturasi di Desa Meranti Tengah Dusun Batu Rangin Kecamatan Pintu Pohan Meranti Kabupaten Tobasa,” J. Derma Pengabdi. Dosen Perguru. Tinggi (Jurnal DEPUTI), vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 264–269, 2024, doi: 10.54123/deputi.v4i1.325.
[14] M. F. Khan, M. Sulaiman, A. N. Ali, G. Laouini, F. S. Alshammari, and M. Khalid, “A Computational Study of Magneto-Convective Heat Transfer Over Inclined Surfaces With Thermodiffusion,” IEEE Access, vol. 11, pp. 57046–57070, 2023, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3283209.
[15] N. Kengar, A. Teli, G. Bhinge, and C. Kanamadi, “Advancing green energy: synthesis of Li-doped MgFe2O4 nanoporous ferrite for sustainable hydroelectric cells and eco-friendly power generation,” J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Electron., vol. 36, no. 8, 2025, doi: 10.1007/s10854-025-14533-4.
[16] S. Zhou, Y. Wang, H. Su, J. Chang, Q. Huang, and Z. Li, “Dynamic quantitative assessment of multiple uncertainty sources in future hydropower generation prediction of cascade reservoirs with hydrological variations,” Energy, vol. 299, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.131447.
[17] H. Song, Y. Kim, and H. Yang, “Design and Optimization of an Alkaline Electrolysis System for Small-Scale Hydropower Integration,” Energies, vol. 17, no. 1, 2024, doi: 10.3390/en17010020.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Bani Septiawan, Rendy Pradityo, Aditya Nugraha, Muhammad Ashbar As-Silmy
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