The Cochwillan hydropower scheme is an exemplar project demonstrating the benefits of combining hydropower with innovative water screening technology.
The design team from Renewables First that worked on the Radyr Weir hydro scheme were proud to learn that the project was to be awarded the 2017 George Gibby Award for the Best Civil Engineering Project in Wales, awarded by the Institution of Civil Engineers Wales Cymru.
Renewables First has been hired by a renewable energy developer to undertake a series of hydropower feasibility assessments on Forestry Commission Scotland Estate. This included a site on the Allt na Fearna in the Auchteraw Forest near Fort Augustus.
Owned by United Utilities, the Errwood hydropower scheme is a Replacement Project in which an old and inefficient 150 kW turbine (actually a pump working in reverse to generate electricity) installed back in the 1980’s, was replaced with a much more efficient purpose-built 100 kW Francis turbine.
The Cochwillan hydro scheme utilises a large GoFlo self-cleaning screen located on the water intake. GoFlo screens are fully automated and self-cleaning screens, with a rotating mesh that scoops debris out of the water and deposits it in a trough to be flushed downstream of the turbine.
Situated in the mountainous terrain within the Brondanw Estate, the hydro scheme will be located on the Afon Maesgwm and feature a 100 kW Turgo hydro turbine, installed by Renewables First.
Details of the twin Archimedes screw hydropower scheme at Radyr Weir are published in Spotlight by the British Hydropower Association.
The site is now settled in, the bankside vegetation is established, and the area of land which has now become an island has become something of a nature refuge.
The Shenfield hydro scheme, as well as being economically viable, also improves the connectivity of the river, reduces flood risk and generates low-carbon electricity.
Renewables First was hired to undertake a full hydro feasibility study for the Freemans Reach hydro scheme, as well as the detailed design of the hydro scheme and fish passes. Renewables First also provided hydro engineering support during construction, as well as commissioning the scheme.
Our work on the Buckfast waterwheel underlines our capability to provide intelligent refurbishment of sites, assessing existing equipment, and where possible retaining sound infrastructure and integrating new technology to achieve either energy capture improvements, reduction in manual intervention, or compliance with new environmental best practice.
The Shenfield Mill Archimedes screw turbine will have a maximum generating capacity of 60kW, which would be sufficient to meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 78 English homes. The scheme will also involve the construction of an intake, discharge and turbine channel adjacent to the Weir, construction of a generator building and reinstatement of landscape and a planting scheme.
The Radyr Weir hydro scheme located on the River Taff, South Wales, is now fully completed and operational. The 2 x 200 kW Archimedes screw turbines, with their combined capacity of 400 kW, were commissioned in December 2015.
This 350 kW Pelton turbine on the Afon Gafr, Nant Peris, will generate around 1,100,000 kWh per year, equivalent to powering roughly 333 UK homes (based on a median UK consumption of 3300 kWh, EST 2012), as well as a carbon saving of around 473 tonnes per year.
The Beasley Weir hydro scheme is located on the River Barle, near Dulverton, is an exemplar of environmental sustainability and incorporates a 78 KW Archimedes screw and natural fish pass.
Construction work is forging ahead with installing the Radyr Weir Archimedes screws. Renewables First were hired by Dawnus to produce the detailed designs for the 400 kW Radyr Weir Archimedes screws, project managed and installed by Dawnus.
Installed by Renewables First, this cross flow turbine installation is located at Curlew Cottage, Inchlaggan, adjacent to Loch Garry approximately 30km north of Fort William.
Work is proceeding apace on the Afon Gafr hydro scheme at Nant Peris, Snowdonia. Throughout the last six weeks, Renewables First has project managed the civil, mechanical and electrical engineering elements of the hydro scheme. The 350 KW Pelton turbine is now installed inside the newly constructed turbine house.
Renewables First was commissioned by Dawnus Construction to undertake the detailed hydro design for the 400 kW Radyr Weir hydro scheme for Cardiff City Council.
This 80 KW hydro scheme on the River Barle, a large tributary to the Exe near Dulverton, was granted planning permission earlier this year.
Renewables First have considerable experience and full project capability, from initial feasibility studies through to system design and installation for Hydro, Wind, PV, Energy Storage Systems, Water and Ground Source Heat Pump Systems.
We also specialise in consultancy for Energy independence / Back-up electricity systems, Net zero energy production, Off-grid / Standalone and Remote power systems
Please contact us about your low carbon energy project today.