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Hydro-power in Devon “ Dripping water carves a stone.” - Ovid – John Baker Devon County Council August 2009 AER Summer School. Introduction. Devon – what’s it like? Why are we interested in renewable energy and hydro power? RE4D - Devon’s award Winning Renewable Energy Project
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Hydro-power in Devon“Dripping water carves a stone.”- Ovid –John Baker Devon County CouncilAugust 2009 AER Summer School
Introduction • Devon – what’s it like? • Why are we interested in renewable energy and hydro power? • RE4D - Devon’s award Winning Renewable Energy Project • Examples of hydro-power in Devon • Other examples from Devon of technology generating power from water
Devon: • Rural County with dispersed remote communities • 52,616 rural businesses employing 186,724 staff. • Two coastlines • 7 protected landscapes • 1 UNESCO Biosphere reserve • 2 UNESCO World heritage sites
Life in Devon: • 3 x more Agricultural activity • 2 x more Tourism business • ½ the firms turnover <€57,000 • 17% of the working age population is self employed compared to Uk average of 10% • Gross annual pay is lower at €18, 300 compared to UK average of €21,144 • Connection to Internet is slow - typically less than 2Mbps • People move to Devon for the lifestyle!
Green technology is a priority: - Encouraging business start ups, enterprise and innovation - Developing our identity as England’s Greenest County - www.devoneconomy.co.uk
The road to 2020: • 15% target for renewable energy (2% Starting point) • We now require “swift delivery”…
RE4D case study • Support for businesses, communities and households to install micro-technology: • Solar thermal and solar PV • Biomass • Wind • Hydro • RE4D for: • Demand stimulation • Supply chain support • Encourage Innovation
RE4D headlines: • 90 new jobs • 154 installations • 3MW of installed capacity • £2m additional spend in the Devon economy • 1700 tonnes of CO2 saved per annum • 100 events promoting micro installations • 2009 Ashden award winner www.ashdenawards.org • 15% growth in sector • 11 technology growth plans – 4 of them focusing on Hydro
Benefits of Hydro… • Produces pollution free renewable electricity • Electricity can be used domestically or sold at a premium • Generates continuously over long periods • Long equipment lifespan (25 to 50 years) • Many suitable sites
Hydro - the basics: • Power = head (height in M) x Mass (M3/second)
Hydro History: • Water was once used extensively as a source of motive power in Europe. • 5000 mills were recorded in 1086AD in the Doomsday book
Hydro History: On Dartmoor the tin and woollen industry has left a legacy of hydro power
Hydro innovation: Re-activation of many of these old sites for electricity generation is now becoming worthwhile.
Domestic hydro: Automated self-cleaning grid-connect installation on Dartmoor…
Low head technology: Modern waterwheels Overshot waterwheel (3m dia. 7.5 kW)
Hydro innovation: Archimedes screw turbines – low head high flow turbine and fish friendly
High head technology www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrYfnq82Mqk
Big Hydro Electric Power: Seven SWW Hydro Electric schemes • Avon Reservoir 117 kW • Crownhill WTW 425 kW • Littlehempston WTW 480 kW • Mary Tavy Power Station 2600 kW • Meldon Reservoir 430 kW • Morwellham Power Station 640 kW • Roadford Reservoir 975 kW Total Installed Cap. 5.6 MW 2008/09 Output 13,885 MWh
Big units: Roadford reservoir • 3 x Francis turbines by Biwater • 730kW (shown in this photo) • 180kW • 40kW compensation m/c • Constructed and filled 1990 • Cost £75 million • Capacity 37,000 megalitres • Area 3 sq.km • Maximum release 148Ml/d • Max. Head 38m
Fernworthy reservoir www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIZokDFlSms
Other technologies being developed in the region: Wave hub - Severn Barrage - Atlantic Array - Algal bio reactors
Devon’s Hydro businesses • www.heidra.co.uk • www.picoenergy.co.uk • www.hydrogeneration.co.uk • www.westernrenew.co.uk (case studies) • www.southwestwater.co.uk • www.re4d.org (case studies) • www.regensw.co.uk (strategies and reports)
Concluding remarks: • Hydro can make a significant contribution to generating renewable energy - especially in upland areas or where water is impounded for potable supplies • Environmental impact assessments need to be high quality • Feasibility work is essential • Small schemes benefit from advice support and mentoring • Grants and existing infrastructure for small projects improve the business case