60 most influential people in the Hydro Power industry: Part 1

Welcome to International Water Power & Dam Construction’s list of the 60 most influential people in the industry. These people have helped shape the course of the global hydro and dams business over the last 60 years. This list – in alphabetical order – is the result of nominations from contacts and readers around the world, and was decided by a panel of industry experts

Professor Kader Asmal
As chairman of the World Commission on Dams, Professor Asmal headed a multi-stakeholder global review of the development effectiveness of dams. As part of its conclusions in November 2000, the Commission proposed a new framework for decision making in the water and energy sector. This proved highly controversial, sparking a further six years of dialogue that was hosted by the United Nations, culminating in the UN withholding its full endorsement of the WCD report. Nonetheless, the report has had a profound influence on policy and directives at the international level, increasing sensitivities in both environmental and social dimensions.

Professor Jose Antonio Baztan de Granda
Over the past 40 years, Professor Baztan de Granda has designed some of the most important dams in Spain, while also teaching about the subject at the Polytechnical Univerity of Madrid. He has been referred to as one of the most influential dam engineers in Europe.

Geoffrey Binnie (1908-1989)
Geoffrey Binnie was the third generation to head up UK-based Binnie & Partners – the firm started by his Grandfather Sir Alexander Binnie in 1901. He was instrumental in launching the firm into the international large dam business, and worked on a number of important projects such as Gorge dam in Hong Kong, Dokan dam in Iraq and Mangla dam in Pakistan.

Hermod Brekke
Hermod Brekke is Professor Emeritus Dr. Tech at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Department for Thermal Energy and Hydropower. His focus of research, for both industry and academia, has been on hydro turbine design, high-head hydraulic systems, and renewables integration for small and large hydropower particularly in developing country contexts. A founding and honorary member of the International Hydropower Association, Brekke has made a considerable contribution to the advancement of hydro power technology.

Dr Roy W Carlson (d 1990)
Dr Carlson is internationally renowned for his research in concrete technology and for the invention of several widely used instruments for gauging the behaviour of concrete. He played a vital role in the construction and testing of dams worldwide.

Linda Church Ciocci
After assuming her position as executive director of the National Hydropower Association in 1991, Linda Church Ciocci helped the organisation double its membership, strengthen its fiscal position, and significantly increase its political stature and public voice in North America.

Professor Ray W Clough
From 1950-1995 Professor Ray W. Clough significantly contributed to the field of earthquake engineering through teaching, research and consulting. His most important research contribution in structural engineering was as a co-developer in the “Finite Element Method” (beginning with a classic paper in 1956 that he co-authored), which forever revolutionized the field of structural analysis and design, as well as many other disciplines that now uses this method for analysis.

A K Chopra
Professor Chopra’s research activities have included studies of structural dynamics and earthquake analysis and design of concrete dams. He has authored more than 300 published papers on this work, a monograph, Earthquake Dynamics of Structures, A Primer, 2005, and a textbook, Dynamics of Structures: Theory and Applications to Earthquake Engineering, 1995, 2001, and 2007.

J Barry Cooke (d 2005)
Often referred to as the ‘father’ of the concrete faced rockfill dam (CFRD), J Barry Cooke is recognised as one of the industry’s most important, and respected, civil engineers. Cooke was co-editor of the one of the dam designer’s most important reference books – Concrete Face Rockfill Dams - Design, Construction and Performance.

Ronald A. Corso
Corso was one of the principal players in developing the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) licensing regulations and polices, and was the principal architect of its dam and public safety regulations. An author of more than 75 presentations, he is a sought-after expert on hydro power issues.

Dr. Andre Coyne (1891-1960)
French dam engineer Dr Andre Coyne designed 70 dams in 14 countries, including the Daniel Johnson multiple arch dam on the Manicouagan River in Quebec, and the Malpasset Dam in Southern France. Unfortunately, Malpassaet dam failed in 1959, deeply affecting Coyne, although a later study found that the design of the dam was probably not the reason for its failure. Coyne is also credited with inventing acoustic monitoring procedures and the technique of anchoring structures using pretensioned steel ties.

Paulo T Cruz
Paulo T Cruz’s first work with dams was in the historical Tres Marias Dam and in the past 50 years of his professional life he has worked on countless dams all over Brazil including the Itaipu and Tucurui dams. He is the author of 100 Brazilian Dams – history cases, material, construction and design (1996), consolidating the Brazilian know-how in dam design and construction.

Calvin V Davis (1897-1980)
Calvin V Davis was President of Harza Engineering Company (now MWH) and editor and contributor to the Handbook of Applied Hydraulics, a comprehensive reference for the dam and hydro power design industry. The book was considered a ‘first tier’ reference by the American Association of Dam Safety Officials as late as the year 2000.

Dr Victor De Mello (1926-2009)
The research and developments proposed by Dr Victor De Mello on the behaviour of compacted saprolites and residual soils have influenced dam engineering throughout the world. He participated on the design and construction of some major engineering projects worldwide, including the Tucurui and Yacyreta projects in Brazil.

Mr. Zho Dongru
Mr Zho Dongru is Senior Engineer and Project Manager of China Gezhouba (Group) Corporation (CGGC). Some of his achievements include Gezhouba dam and Three Gorges in China, and Yeywa RCC dam in Myanmar. Mr Zho has spent a lifetime dedicated to dam and hydro power projects in China and Southeast Asia.

Source: http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=46&storyCode=2054314