| Small hydro
confined space and the need to manage interfaces between multiple contractors add layers of complexity to this task. However, the project team’s meticulous planning and execution have kept the powerhouse construction on schedule. The powerhouse is slated to be ready for the
installation of a state-of-the-art double-regulated Kaplan turbine by early 2025. This will be followed shortly by the installation of other key equipment, including a synchronous generator and a dry- type transformer. In parallel, preparations for the hydro mechanical gates are progressing well, with installations expected to commence in October 2024. The project has already made significant strides in securing its future success. Key industry partners, including Etana Energy and Growthpoint Properties, have come on board, securing electricity purchase under a wheeling arrangement. This partnership underscores the project’s importance in South Africa’s sustainable energy development and demonstrates the growing appetite for renewable energy solutions in the corporate sector.
Flateland hydropower plant: a model
for small-scale hydro development The recently inaugurated Flateland Hydropower Plant in Vegusdal, Agder County, is a prime example of the role small-scale hydropower can play in Norway’s renewable energy future. Officially opened on August 29, 2024, by Member of Parliament Gro-Anita Mykjåland (Sp), the plant is expected to generate 47GWh annually—enough to power all households in the nearby municipality of Birkenes and an additional 500 homes.
At the opening ceremony, Mykjåland emphasized the importance of projects like Flateland to help meet Norway’s renewable energy targets: “We need many more projects like Flateland, and we need them before 2030. Much more renewable energy can be developed in Norway. To achieve this, small- scale hydropower is an important and powerful contribution.” The Flateland project highlights the collaborative efforts that are crucial for the success of small hydropower projects. Mykjåland pointed to the cooperation between local landowners, subcontractors, and stakeholders as a model for future projects. This broad involvement not only facilitated construction but also secured financing, setting a clear path for others interested in small-scale hydro development. “Flateland project has been exceptional not only for the outcome but also for the process where all stakeholders and local people have been brought together to make this happen,” said Pekka Saijonmaa, CEO of Suomen Voima Oy, which owns 90% of the plant. Saijonmaa extended his thanks to the contractors and local participants who helped make the project possible. The plant was built in record time, something
Carl-Fredrik Lehland, CEO of Cadre AS (the plant’s operator), attributes to seamless cooperation with local entities. “It requires a lot of knowledge and steady hands to carry out the work done here. The collaboration between us, the landowners, and others has been crucial,” Lehland said. He also noted the role of regulatory authorities like NVE in setting
clear requirements and facilitating the development process. Flateland is one of several small-scale plants making a big impact. It is now the eighth small hydropower facility in Southern and Western Norway owned by Suomen Voima, a Finnish energy company dedicated to expanding its hydropower portfolio in the region. Like many small hydropower projects, Flateland has benefited from local knowledge and close coordination between landowners, developers, and contractors—most notably Tinfos AS, which oversaw the construction. According to Lehland, this close cooperation allowed the plant to start production three months ahead of schedule. “Thanks to good collaboration with Tinfos, we were able to start production ahead of schedule. The power plant has been in trial operation since January 2024, and all experiences so far show that everything is working as it should,” he said.
In-Conduit hydropower in agriculture The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Farm and Ranch
Enterprise (UMUFRE) has made a groundbreaking move by installing an in-conduit hydropower system across its 7700-acre irrigated farmland. This system, the first of its kind for the tribe, demonstrates how small-scale hydropower can be successfully integrated into agricultural operations, enhancing both energy efficiency and sustainability. The project consists of five in-conduit hydropower
sites integrated into UMUFRE’s center-pivot irrigation system over the past two years. Collectively, these sites generate over 115kW of clean, renewable energy seasonally. This energy powers onsite farming operations, helping to reduce the community’s reliance on fossil fuels. Rentricity, a New York-based in- conduit hydropower company, played a key role in the project, introducing its Renewable Energy AgriPower™ (REAP™) platform. The REAP™ platform is designed specifically for large farms using gravity-fed irrigation systems, allowing them to recover energy seasonally and significantly cut operational costs. This project marks Rentricity’s first enterprise-wide REAP™ installation, and the company hopes it will serve as a best practice for sustainable agriculture. The initiative has received strong support from the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) and the Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), both of which have been involved since 2016. CDA provided technical assistance, and the project was fully funded by NRCS and CDA under the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). “This is an important project and partnership for the NRCS,” said Clint Evans, State Conservationist for the NRCS in Colorado. “UMUFRE’s system-wide installation not only exemplifies our commitment to promoting innovative solutions for resource conservation but also sets a new standard for integrating clean energy into agricultural practices. By harnessing the power of gravity-fed irrigation systems, this project will generate substantial clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to the economic and environmental resilience of this tribal farm enterprise. We look forward to seeing the transformative impact this initiative will have on the community and the broader agricultural sector.”
Above: Above: Member of Parliament Gro-Anita Mykjåland cutting the ribbon at the opening of Flateland power plant with the help of Suomen Voima’s CEO Pekka Saijonmaa, and landowner Are Flateland
Above: Flateland power plant was completed within budget and ahead of schedule
Below: Rentricity - UMFRE REAP Powerhouse
www.waterpowermagazine.com | October 2024 | 17
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