Hydro Services

 

Preliminary hydro resource assessment (feasibility study) - £125

We use Low Flows and GIS data to assess the flow and head options for your site. From these results we will provide you with an initial estimate of the cost to install an M3H hydro electric scheme and the average annual energy yield. You will be provided with a flow duration curve and short report sent by email in pdf format. The report will be followed up by a 1-to-1 phone conversation with one of our team to discuss hydro options.

To proceed, please send us the following information:

1. Grid reference or post code of the hydro electric site location.
2. Site map detailing the hydro electric site boundaries. If you are able to lease land off a neighbour to significantly increase the head of the hydro scheme it is worth having informal discussions before we start. Normally the easiest way is send us a scanned/photocopied image by email/post with site boundaries clearly marked.
3. Nearest grid connection point.

We recommend that you look at the following link before proceeding: BHA and in particular their micro hydro guide.

Full hydro resource assessment - £2,450

The list of work below is in chronological order.

1. Application to the EA for a temporary weir. £50
2. Site visit to determine the optimum position for a temporary weir which allows us to match the ideal specifications as closely as possible. Identification and documentation of possible pipe routes, turbine house locations and grid connection options. £400
3. Custom manufacture and installation of weir structure to capture the significant part of the predicted flow duration curve. Includes tipping bucket rain guage, ultrasonic level sensor and datalogger. £1,700
4. Informal contact with the Environment Agency on permissable abstractions and electricity Network Operator on grid connection costs. £100 + fees if applicable
5. Scoping application to local planning authority, concluding in the identification and costing of required ecological assessments. £200
6. Prediction of average annual electricity production and identification of most profitable mechanism of gaining revenue from the electricity generated. Cost included in (3).

At the end of the above work we will provide you with a quote for any land leasing arrangements, planning application, design, hardware, installation and maintenance of your hydro scheme. After gaining planning permission we can arrange for suitable loans or investment to assist you in generating clean green power.

We believe that in many cases our Optiflow T17 turbine will provide the most cost effective turbine choice. For schemes above 50 kW we will examine the benefits of combining the Optiflow with a larger turbine of guaranteed, trusted performance. The information provided at the end of the full hydro resource assessment will provide you with enough information to obtain competetive quotes from other installers.