Guide to renewable energy - Small hydro power

Small Hydro Power

Table of Contents

1 Is it for me?

2 Introduction

3 How much does it cost?

4 What are the benefits?

5 Step by step guide

6 Legal considerations and financial tools

7 Case studies

8 References

Case studies

SHP in Cottbus - THERMIE Project

Commissioned in December 1996, the hydroelectric facility produces up to 2,500 MWh per year, equal to the consumption of 650 households. It stops atmospheric emissions of 2,000 tons of CO₂, 14,2 tons of SO₂, 5,6 tons of NO_x, 1,8 tons of CO, as well as 360 kg of ash compared to fossil fuel combustion.

http://www.managenergy.net/products/R125.htm

SHP in Xanthi, Greece

The municipality obtained joint financing from the European Union and the Greek Government for the project as part of the Development Programme for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. The annual production of electricity of 5,200,000 kWh (the equivalent of about 1350 households' consumption), is all sold back to the PPC (Public Power Corporation).

http://www.energie-cites.org/BD/PDF/xan001en.pdf

Garbhaig Small Scale Hydro Scheme, Scotland - UK

This hydro scheme is located in the Slattadale Forrest, south of Loch Maree in Rosshire, Scotland. The project is owned and run by Garbhaig Hydro Power Company ltd, a Business Expansion Scheme (BES) company.

This scheme was awarded an electricity purchase contract in July 1991; this was the procedure before the Scottish Renewable Obligation came into force (SRO-1). This meant that the power produced was sold at a premium price, making the scheme more economically viable.

http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/01-02/RE_info/hydrocase.htm

Owenbeg SHP Station, Ireland

It is a run-of-the river hydro-scheme, rated at 870 kW. The head is of 73m. The annual output is 2,800,000 kWh, all is sold to the electricity utility.

ftp://erg.ucd.ie/public/pdfiles/res/case_studies/hy_12.pdf

Paus SHP Staion, Portugal

SHP flowing water type, placed on river Coura with an adduction channel in tunnel and a net load about 57m. The energy production is about 10 GWh/year.

ftp://erg.ucd.ie/public/pdfiles/res/case_studies/hy_12.pdf

"GRIESMÜHLE" mini-hydropower plant, Walding, Austria

The objectives of this project included the revitalisation of the old small-scale hydropower plant by installing a powerful new water turbine and a modern control system. Moreover, the project aimed at renovating and converting the old mill into a modern low-energy building with 13 new apartments. All the energy used by the flats is supplied by the hydropower plant.

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