Small hydro |
Above: Whiteadder Reservoir in East Lothian where Scottish Water is undertaking a pioneering new type of small hydro scheme
However, the authors add, challenges do persist, including regulatory compliance, community engagement, and the need for continual improvements in operational efficiency. “Balancing energy needs with environmental
References
Mitigating El Nino impacts on hydro energy vulnerability through identifying resilient run-of-river small hydropower sites by Chandni Thakur, Claudia Teutschbein, KS Kasiviswanathan, Bankaru- Swamy Soundharajan. Journal of Hydrology 51 (2024) 101622.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ejrh.2023.101622
Evaluation of small hydropower turbines installed downstream of Nile River branches (Egypt) by Mohamed E.A.E.Ahmed,
M.AttiaAbdellatif,
AhmedA.A.Attia, Ahmed Farouk Deifalla, Mostafa E.A. Elsayed & M.A.Abdelrahman. Scientific Reports. Nature Portfolio
(2023) 13:15061. https://doi. org/10.1038/s41598-023- 41775-1
Hydraulic and environmental impacts of small hydropower projects mitigation strategies and regulatory frameworks by Veronica Luis and Kathy Davis. International Journal of Hydropower and Civil Engineering
2023; 4(1): 17-19 https://doi. org/10.22271/27078302.2023. v4.i1a.2
£3 million investment in green hydro energy generation at East Lothian reservoir - Scottish Water
EU-UNIDO Launch €9M Project: Advancing Hydropower and Circular Economy in Nigeria | UNIDO
preservation remains paramount, necessitating ongoing monitoring and adaptive strategies. Embracing small hydro signifies Mexico’s commitment to fostering renewable energy sources,” they conclude, “while navigating the complexities of energy development in harmony with environmental stewardship and social welfare.”
Hydro at QEII Docks Peel Ports Group, one of the UK’s major port operators,
has revealed plans to implement hydropower technology at its Queen Elizabeth II Dock in Eastham in England. Teaming up with Czech renewable energy firm Hydropol, Peel Ports will install a modern twin Archimedean screw generator at the dock’s lock. Expected to generate approximately 1.5GWh per year, this is equivalent to powering around 190,000 homes for a day, and Peel Ports will acquire the renewable energy from Hydropol through a unique private energy procurement arrangement. The generated power will not only supply the dock itself but also fuel the operations of Peel ports’ Green Automotive Hub, established in late 2023 to support eco-friendly vehicle manufacturing. “The introduction of hydropower at Queen Elizabeth II Dock is another major achievement as we seek to make our operations greener and more sustainable for the future,” commented Lewis McIntyre, Managing Director of Port Services at Peel Ports Group. “The amount of renewable energy set to be produced is significant and builds on Eastham Dock’s sustainable credentials.”
Scottish Water Scottish Water has broken ground on a pioneering
new type of hydro energy generation scheme at Whiteadder Reservoir in East Lothian. Believed to be the first of its type in Europe, the project will be fed by a siphon, enabling the company to generate green energy while accurately controlling reservoir levels during seasonal fluctuations in weather, without the need for major civil engineering works. This £3 million scheme, being delivered by
renewable energy specialist Emtec Energy, will enable the siphon technology to draw water up though the
28 | June 2024 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
intake and over the top of the dam which then runs down through the siphon, through the hydro turbine, and back to the natural environment. It is expected that 0.82GWh of renewable energy will be generated from the 199kW turbine each year, which will be used to offset 30% of the power used by one of East Lothian’s largest pumping stations, named Hungry Snout. This pumping station takes around 32 million litres of water per day to Castle Moffat Water Treatment Works, which supplies most of the East Lothian region. “This is a unique project to work on,” said Neil Beaumont, Hydro Energy Senior Project Manager at Scottish Water Horizons, the public utility’s commercial subsidiary that is delivering the scheme. “Due to fluctuating seasonal conditions in Scotland, the flows at Whiteadder Reservoir vary from 150-1200 litres per second so it was important that we could measure and control the reservoir levels accurately as its primary function is to provide water to customers. “In collaboration with renewable energy experts AECOM and Ossberger, we selected equipment that could accurately measure water levels even during adverse weather conditions using smart controls and sensors which will ensure we are not taking too much water from the reservoir. This is a real win for us,” he added, “and we are delighted to be leading with such innovative projects to lower the carbon footprint of the local water supply and make Scotland’s grid greener.” As Gordon Reid, Scottish Water’s General Manager for Net Zero, added: “Scottish Water owns the most reservoirs in the UK, and we are always looking for opportunities to produce renewable power and make the most of these assets. We already have over thirty hydro turbines installed on our assets, and the use of this novel technology is an exciting development for Scottish Water.”
Nigerian projects The European Union has introduced two new projects
in Nigeria: the Small Hydro Power Development for Agro-industry Use in Nigeria (SHP-DAIN) and Advancing Nigeria’s Green Transition to Net Zero through Circular Economy Practices. Both will be undertaken by the United Nations Industrial Organisation (UNIDO) as part of a three-year contract, aimed at promoting small hydropower development and circular economy approaches. Adenayo Adelabo, Nigerian Minister of Power, acknowledged the support of UNIDO and the EU by saying: “Nigeria’s abundant energy resources will forever remain potentials unless properly harnessed, therefore, the federal ministry of power is delighted to continually work with the EU and UNIDO on small hydropower in powering energy through decentralised systems.” The projects aim to enhance energy accessibility
and promote circular economy practices to address pollution and climate change in Nigeria. SHP-DAIN aims to boost small hydropower capacity in the energy mix, increase agricultural productivity, and improve livelihoods, thereby enhancing food security and job opportunities. While Advancing Nigeria’s Green Transition to Net Zero through Circular Economy Practices aims to enhance the management of used off-grid energy equipment and plastics through circular economy practices to mitigate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45
