Environmental impact assessment for hydroelectric power plants in Trentino (Italy) 1990-1997: similarity and clustering of studies, sites and projects

Abstract

Using the environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies for hydropower plants in Trentino (Italy) from 1990 to 1997, the aim of this paper is to develop an analysis that, starting from the distinctive elements of the environmental sites, projects and EIA studies, recognizes the similarity in data structure by specific index and multivariate statistical tools. A brief description is given of the area, the local EIA normative framework, the energy sector (in particular hydroelectric) in Trento, and the theoretical/methodological assumptions on which the research is based. The results of the study are checked for similarity and clustering of the studies themselves, the sites and the projects.