Regnant Hydro

Case Studies

Regnant Hydro SA

Case Studies

By HydroNI

Low Head Sites

Medium Head Sites

High Head Sites

Hydro sites are generally classified as low, medium and high head.

However, in practice it is not as simple as that and there are sites where different types of turbine could be used.

For example, either Archimedes screw turbines or crossflow turbines could be used on many low head sites and consideration needs to be given to the relative merits of each turbine with regard to the specific site being considered.

Each hydro site is unique and requires bespoke design and equipment.

We work on a huge variety of sites and we have selected a range of case studies that shows a number of projects using different turbine types that we have developed for our clients.

We hope that you find the case studies helpful. If you would like more information regarding your site then please contact us.

Low Head Sites

Marybrook Hydro – Crossflow turbine – 60kw

INFORMATION

Marybrook Hydro

Marybrook is a very picturesque estate with an extremely interesting history going back for hundreds of years. The turbine house is located adjacent to the Gate House at the entrance to the property. Visual and acoustic integration of the new development was extremely important to the owners.

HydroNI were responsible for the feasibility study, planning application, construction standard drawings, tendering the construction of the project and project management.

As with many old mill sites, it was necessary to repair the weir and install a fish pass as part of the work. HydroNI worked with Rivers Agency and DCAL Fisheries to obtain permission to temporarily divert the Ballynahinch River to enable this work to be undertaken.

The Ballynahinch River is used by canoeists and HydroNI provided regular updates to the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland to minimise any inconvenience to "dippers".

HydroNI were responsible for the feasibility study, planning application, construction standard drawings, tendering the construction of the project and project management.

Crossflow Turbine

Turbine Rating: 60kW

Gross head: 5.6 meters

Maximum flow: 1540 litres / second

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The project included:

Extensive repairs to the existing weir. Construction of a new box fish pass. Installation of 1200mm diameter GRP pipe at depths of up to 7 meters.

Construction of a new turbine house. Installation of the largest cross flow turbine to be installed in the island of Ireland.

The turbine achieved its rated output on the first day of commissioning.

Ballievey Hydro – Archimedes Screw turbine – 34kw

INFORMATION

Ballievey Hydro

This project was constructed at an old mill site on the River Bann. The HydroNI team were responsible for the feasibility study, preparation of the planning application, grid connection application, preparation of construction drawings, tendering the construction of the project and project management.

Repairs to the weir were carried out as part of this project which required the temporary diversion of the River Bann and temporary modification of a flood defense bank. HydroNI worked with the owners of neighbouring property, Rivers Agency and DCAL Fisheries to obtain all necessary permissions.

Archimedes Screw

Turbine Rating: 34 kW

Gross head: 1.45 meters

Maximum flow: 3,100 litres / second

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The project included:

Diversion of the River Bann to enable repairs to the existing weir.

Construction of a new pool type fish pass. Construction of 170m of open channel with a fall of 1:2000

Construction of a new turbine house and tail race.

Installation of Archimedes screw turbine.

Turbine output is exceeding expectation.

Carncain Hydro – Archimedes screw turbine – 20kw

INFORMATION

Carncain Hydro

This project was developed at an old mill site near the village of Broughshane. After careful research by the owner, HydroNI were requested to prepare the planning application, prepare the construction drawings, tender the construction of the project and project manage the construction phase.

Archimedes Screw

Turbine Rating: 20kW

Gross head: 5.7 meters

Maximum flow: 538 litres / second

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The project included:

Re-construction of the existing weir. Construction of a new fish pass. Installation of 1200mm diameter pipe.

Construction of a new turbine house and tail race.

Installation of the first Archimedes screw turbine manufactured by Spaans Babcock to be installed in the island of Ireland.

We believe that this is the first Archimedes screw turbine installed in Ireland to achieve its rated output on the first day of commissioning.

Whitehill Hydro – Archimedes screw turbine - 54kw

INFORMATION

Whitehill Hydro

This turbine has been constructed on an old mill site on the Agivey river near the village of Garvagh.

HydroNI were responsible for the feasibility study, planning application, construction standard drawings, tendering the construction of the project and project management.

The repairs to the weir and the construction of the new fishpass required the temporary diversion of the Agivey River. HydroNI prepared and submitted the relevant applications to Rivers Agency and DCAL Fisheries.

Archimedes Screw

Turbine Rating: 54 kW

Gross head: 2.8 meters

Maximum flow: 2,800 litres / second

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The project included:

Diversion of the Agivey River to enable repairs to the existing weir.

Construction of a new pool type fish pass. Construction of 180m of open channel.

Construction of a new turbine house and tail race.

Installation of Archimedes screw turbine.

Turbine output is exceeding expectation.

Medium Head Sites

Lisdown Hydro – Crossflow turbine – 12kw

INFORMATION

Lisdown Hydro

This is a former mill site although there was little evidence remaining of any structures associated with the mill.

The redevelopment of hydro power at the site was complicated by the fact that farm buildings had been constructed on the site since the demise of the mill. This necessitated the construction of part of the pipeline from the weir to the turbine through and under a farm building.

HydroNI were responsible for the feasibility study, planning application, preparation of construction standard drawings, construction of the project, installation and commission of all equipment.

Crossflow Turbine

Turbine Rating: 12 kW

Gross head: 6.5 meters

Maximum flow: 232 litres / second

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The project included:

Diversion of the Ballymartrim Water to enable the construction of a new weir.

Construction of a new pool type fish pass. Installation of 150m of pipe.

Construction of a new buried turbine house and tail race.

Installation and commissioning of turbine.

Turbine output is exceeding expectation.

Ballymartin Hydro - Crossflow – 20kw

INFORMATION

Ballymartin Hydro

This is an old mill site on the Ballymartin Water. The weir was rebuilt and a new fish pass constructed as part of the project. The new turbine house was constructed at the side of the existing mill building with care being taken to avoid any damage to the original structure.

HydroNI were responsible for the feasibility study, planning application, preparation of construction standard drawings, construction of the project, installation and commission of all equipment.

Crossflow Turbine

Turbine Rating: 20 kW

Gross head: 6 meters

Maximum flow: 538 litres / second

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The project included:

Diversion of the Ballymartin Water to enable the construction of a new weir.

Construction of a new pool type fish pass.

Excavate 90m open channel

Installation of 60m of pipe.

Construction of a new buried turbine house and tail race.

Installation and commissioning of turbine.

Turbine output is achieving expectation.

Gelvin Hydro - Crossflow turbine – 112kw

INFORMATION

Gelvin Hydro

There is a history of milling on the Gelvin River and this project combines the location of an old weir with modern pipe technology to develop a fall of 38 meters.

This hydro project has been constructed in a river with the highest possible environmental protection, it is an SAC for salmon. This was a significant consideration through out the design, planning application and construction stages of the project.

HydroNI were responsible for the feasibility study, planning application, construction standard drawings, project management of the construction of the project, installation and commission of all equipment.

Crossflow Turbine

Turbine Rating: 112 kW

Gross head: 38 meters

Maximum flow: 399 litres / second

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The project included:

Diversion of the Gelvin River to enable the construction of a new weir.

Construction of a new pool type fish pass.

Installation of 1400m of pipe.

Construction of a new turbine house and tail race.

Installation and commissioning of turbine.

Turbine output is exceeding expectation.

High Head Sites

Burn Hydro - Pelton - 150kw

INFORMATION

Lisdown Hydro

This project was developed in two phases with a 100kW pelton turbine being installed in 2012 and a second 50kW turbine installed in 2014. HydroNI were responsible for the feasibility study, planning application, construction standard drawings, construction of the project, installation and commission of all equipment.

Pelton Turbine

Turbine Rating: 150 kW

Gross head: 102 meters

Maximum flow: 150 litres / second

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The project included:

Diversion of the stream to enable the construction of a new weir and coanda screen intake.

Construction of a new pool type fish pass.

Excavation and installation of 1200m of pipe.

Construction of a new turbine house.

Construction of tail race.

Installation and commissioning of turbine.

Turbine output is exceeding expectation.

Ballycrum Hydro - Pelton – 20kw

INFORMATION

Ballycrum Hydro

This project was developed in a rural setting, albeit with the turbine house being adjacent to domestic housing. Visual and acoustic integration of the turbine house was therefore an important consideration. The photos in the slide show below were taken one year after commissioning and demonstrate how well the turbine house has been integrated into the landscape when viewed from the domestic properties.

The natural topography of the site at the intake lent itself to the development of a small storage dam, greatly improving the efficiency of the project.

HydroNI were responsible for the feasibility study, planning application, construction standard drawings, construction of the project, installation and commission of all equipment.

Pelton Turbine

Turbine Rating: 20 kW

Gross head: 110 meters

Maximum flow: 26 litres / second

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The project included:

Construction of storage dam.

Contruction of a new intake.

Excavation and installation of 1100m of pipe.

Construction of a new turbine house.

Construction of tail race.

Installation and commissioning of turbine, generator and control system.

Turbine output is exceeding expectation.