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Community Energy in Richmond

Community Energy in Richmond. March 2013. What is “community energy”. Climate Change Act and policy commitments: “ the most ambitious community energy strategy this country has ever seen” (Ed Davey)

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Community Energy in Richmond

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  1. Community Energyin Richmond March 2013

  2. What is “community energy” • Climate Change Act and policy commitments: “the most ambitious community energy strategy this country has ever seen” (Ed Davey) • Ed Davey MP, the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, has said that he wants “nothing more than a community energy revolution” and Greg Barker MP, Minister of State, has said “Community engagement in the energy sector will be vital to our vision of the development of energy in the UK in the coming decades.”

  3. The community owns the energy produced • Renewable energy schemes owned by communities • E.g. Westmill Wind, Brixton Energy, Brighton Energy Cooperative, Settle Hydro, Torrs New Mills Hydro, Halton Lune Hydro. • Community receives income from sales of electricity generated

  4. Why are (extra)ordinary people getting involved in these projects? • Commitment to taking local action on climate change • Reluctance to leave it to politicians and large institutions • Interest in the concept of decentralised energy production • Comprehensible, manageable scale of projects • Desire to invest their time and commitment in their local community • “By having our own local energy generation we achieve traction towards more empowered lives and regain our dignity” (Matt Hellen, campaign director at the Trillion Fund)

  5. What are the community renewable energy options in Richmond? • 3 probable options – N.B. These options are not exclusive

  6. Hydro..... • Who is Ham Hydro and where do they come from? • What are their objectives and what are they doing? • What are the benefits for the community? • How do they want to achieve this? • What do the numbers look like? • What is the overall timing? • How can I get involved?

  7. Ham Hydro CIC is… • Created by members of Ham United Group (HUG) in early 2010, and • the objectives of the company are to generate electricity from renewable sources and • use the income generated to promote and develop low-carbon solutions in the local area, and support the local community We want to act locally. We believe renewable energy is part of the solution. We want to have ownership of the project. We want to see the benefits retained locally.

  8. The Ham Hydro Journey Supporters of HH • 2006: members of HUG looked into the possibility of developing hydro power at Teddington Weir. • Mid-2009: steering group formed and feasibility study commissioned. • Summer 2009: feasibility study completed; discussions begin over structure of company and members’ commitment to project.

  9. The Ham Hydro Journey • April 2010: Ham Hydro CIC formed - develops a submission in response to call for expression of interest by Environment Agency (EA).

  10. The Ham Hydro Journey We won the exclusive rights to develop this • August 2010: Shortlisted, then selected as the developer by the EA. Obligation to work with the EA’s preferred civil engineering firm, Morrison Construction. • January 2011: signed an exclusivity agreement with the EA – we are now exclusively permitted to develop the project.

  11. The Ham Hydro Journey • Spring 2011: Initial screening by Richmond Council says we do not require a full impact assessment. • Autumn 2011: Environmental site audit and flood risk assessment completed. • December 2011: submitted application for planning permission.

  12. The Ham Hydro Journey The planning submission required further work...so • Spring – Autumn 2012: environmental surveys of the weir pool and its immediate surroundings undertaken - flora, fauna, fish. • Summer 2012 – January 2013: revised noise impact assessment undertaken • February 2013: revisions of design drawings completed

  13. Concept is based on Archimedean Screws • Archimedean Screws have been used for 1,000s of years but until recently their purpose has always been to raise water. By reverse engineering the screws and installing it on a river it is possible to utilise the energy generated by the flow of the river. This is amplified when sited at a weir as the drop in water level can also be exploited. • Water passes from upstream of the installation into the screw channel. It then passes through the screw and the force from the flow turns the screw. The turning of the screw is used to generate clean electricity which can then be used or sold on.

  14. Positioned on Teddington Side of the Weir Section of weir to be replaced

  15. Power Generation depends on several factors Capacity 27 m3/s Peak Power 492 kW and total annual production 1.9 million kW/h Water flow 0-300 m3/s -50% of time 35 m3/s and more = 600 homes Head 0.3-2.2 m Tide Residual flow 5 m3/s

  16. Flow & Head • For the project to break even requires a minimum average flow of 16 m3/s over the weir. The minimum flows over the last 40 years have been no less than 20 m3/s. The mean flow since records began (1883) is 56 m3/s. The maximum capacity of our turbines is 27 m3/s. • Our recent modelling of the flow and head data in 2010 – collected every 15 minutes – shows that, had our scheme been installed, the yield would have been 1,933,000 kWh.

  17. Fish Friendliness • Archimedean screws are the preferred technology of the EA due to their minimal impact on downstream migration of fish. • Multiple studies have concluded fish can pass unhindered through the screws and suffer minimal damage if hit.

  18. Fish passage via fish pass • The 2 existing fish passes will be replaced by a much larger double gradient Larinier pass, as recommended by the Environment Agency. • This will improve upstream migration for all fish species recorded in the Thames region.

  19. Noise impact • Our noise impact assessment was conducted according to Richmond Council’s specifications, to take into consideration potential disturbance to residents and businesses nearby. • Further background noise surveys have been carried out by the Council. • Noise mitigation will be installed to comply with the Council’s requirements.

  20. Sustainability • The National Physical Laboratory has conducted a streamlined Lifecycle Sustainability Assessment of the project, involving an analysis of the environmental, social and economic impacts of the project. The result: the project has a 9-month ‘carbon payback’ time.

  21. Benefits of the project • Community ownership • The community decides what to do with the ‘community fund’ • The community earns interest on their investment • Environmental impact • Clean energy production (CO2 neutral) equals 600 homes or 80% of the borough’s secondary schools • 1,000 tons CO2 savings compared to conventional energy generation • Community fund • Re-invest in further renewable energy projects • Support those who suffer from fuel poverty • Any other ideas – the community will decide

  22. Further benefits of the project • Raise awareness and speed up roll-out of low carbon projects in the area – more carbon savings Educational benefits: research/school projects… • Connection with Kingston University • St. Mary’s University – plans to develop a sustainability display w. link to project • Newland House School – building hydro model and learning about renewable energy • Grey Court School – Science department very interested in the project Real time display of output and description of scheme

  23. Community contact and support • Ham Hydro has run stalls at Richmond Fair and Ham Fair, as well as taking part in the HUG stall at Ham House Sow & Grow day • Several public meetings have taken place in Ham and Teddington - around 70 people at Ham meeting, over 100 in Teddington • and many other presentations given to local organisations, like today! • Over 600 people have pledged their support for the project, either on sign-up sheets at these events or online via our energyshare page

  24. Fundraising – bricks and the Tidal Stretch • Since late 2011 we have been raising ‘petty cash’ in the form of ‘Xmas bricks’ to cover our ongoing expenditure on environmental reports • In December 2012, a number of Directors and supporters participated in the ‘Tidal Stretch’, a 33-mile walk up the Thames from the Thames Barrier to Teddington Lock.

  25. Licences & Planning Permission • All hydropower schemes in the UK require licences issued by the EA. • Ham Hydro has submitted an application for an impoundment licence and will also submit applications for flood defence consents. • Must meet flood risk, fisheries and environmental criteria. • Our planning application is under consideration by Richmond council and is available for viewing at http://www2.richmond.gov.uk/plandata2/Planning_CaseNo.aspx?strCASENO=11/3908/FUL

  26. Project & construction timeline (provisional) • April 2013: planning approval granted • May 2013: share issue • July/August 2013: licences granted • October 2013: preparatory works civil works begin • January 2014: civil works begin in earnest • March 2014: delivery of screws • June 2014: commissioning • NB – this process involves many procedures being run in parallel

  27. Carbon Leapfrog HLM Architects • Provides links with large corporates to obtain pro bono assistance. • Independent project management advice. • Design assistance from HLM • Legal support Norton Rose. • Accounting support Grant Thornton.

  28. The legal framework The CIC (Community Interest Company) adds an ethical dimension to corporate law: • Specified community benefit • An asset lock, which is inexpensive and easy to set up • Transparency of directors’ remuneration and use of assets • Legal protection from demutualisation and windfall profits being paid to directors and members The IPS (Industry and Provident Society) is the next step: • Typical Company Structure of Co-operatives • Is able to issue shares to members

  29. Financials Total Investment (net) Annual Revenue (net) £m £k Current estimate, based on construction cost with all risks included. 15 p/kWh index-linked for 20 years

  30. What is the main share issue? • Will commence after having achieved planning permission • The total amount to be raised will be £2.2mn • You can invest from £500 up to £20,000. • You’ll become a member of the IPS and will have equal voting rights on decisions at the annual general meeting. • We are aiming for an interest rate of 5% which is better than an ISA but comes with a risk as it depends on profits. • We will finalise our proposals and mitigate risks as far as we possibly can, by April/May 2013. • Sign-up and we’ll keep you informed!

  31. Support us and tell your friends… • Website: www.hamhydro.org • Email: invest@hamhydro.org.uk • Facebook Page • Twitter: @hamhydro “This is a hugely exciting local project, but it is also important nationally. Small-scale, decentralised clean energy is the future, and Ham is right at the cutting edge. Zac Goldsmith, MP “This is a really imaginative, practical initiative that will provide environmental benefits with community gain... They have my full support.” Vince Cable MP

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