Green hydropower is a hotspot in the interdisciplinary research of hydropower construction

environmental protection

construction management

etc.

an important concept for understanding and advancing the concepts of hydropower exploration

technology

and management. First

this paper reviews the development history of hydropower exploration in China. The practices are fully acknowledged on their comprehensiveness of all aspects and adjustability regarding differences between projects; Social and ecological benefits of the hydropower projects are well recognized

where water ecosystem health has been improved and regional economic development has been promoted. Second

we present a basic definition of green hydropower

its characteristics

and a development evolution model based on the mutual coupling relationship of society

environment

and engineering. Finally

we discuss the core technologies and successful practices in the development of green hydropower

including environmental protection of hydrology

water and sediment

mitigation of gas supersaturation

and watershed connection for habitat and life cycle carbon footprint management. And we suggest two primary research areas－intelligent construction and smart management

which are key to the future hydropower projects to enhance their high-quality infrastructure design

construction

operation and maintenance

and final decommission. This study would help promote the development of green hydropower and its science

technology and management－including upcoming hydropower exploitation in the high-altitude Southwest China

clean energy project development

and hydropower-wind-solar-complemented green energy supplying.