The Process
Regnant Hydro SA
The Process
Of installing a Water Turbine
Regnant appreciate that almost all of our clients will have no previous experience of hydropower and will probably only develop one hydro power site. We recognise that the development of a hydro power site may appear quite challenging to someone who has not previously developed a site.
Regnant make the process as simple as possible. We take everything one step at a time and explain everything to the client in easy to understand lay persons language. We use a unique 5 step plan that helps to guide our clients through the process from original concept to final installation and commissioning of the turbine. We review each stage with our clients using easy to understand language and clients are always welcome to visit our demonstration site. We find that clients find it very beneficial to see our turbine operating as it gives them a good opportunity to see what is involved, removes any uncertainty and provides an opportunity to ask questions.
Do you know..?
This website is designed to help people with little or no Engineering or Hydro Electric background to gain an understanding of hydro power. If you would like a more technical explanation of Hydro Electricity feel free to contact us.
Power
The power available in a stream of water is;
P = power (J/s or watts)
η = turbine efficiency
ρ = density of water (kg/m³)
g = acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/s²)
h = head (m). For still water, this is the difference in height between the inlet and outlet surfaces.
q= flow rate (m³/s)
The Steps
photos courtesy of HydroNI
Initial Verbal Evaluation
When Prospective Clients Contact Us We Listen Very Carefully To What They Have To Say, After All They Know Their Site Better Than Anyone Does. Is It An Old Mill Site, A Fish Farm; Is There A Weir, Etc? We Will Look At The Data We Have For That Area And Draw From Our Experience Of Other Similar Sites. If We Think That The Site Has Potential We Will Arrange A Site Visit.
Site Visit and Assessment
This is a very important stage of assessing a potential hydro power site. The site visit gives us more information which we use to determine if a site is viable for hydro power or not. We will give the client our honest opinion of the viability of the site at this early stage. While many sites that we visit will be viable, we sometimes need to advise the client at this stage that the site is not viable and that they should not spend money on it.
Site Survey
For those sites with good potential for hydro power, we use the initial site visit to measure the available head (the height difference between where the water is removed from the stream and where it is returned to the stream), take photos and generally make ourselves familiar with the site's unique characteristics. This information is invaluable if the client decides to proceed with the project.
Expert Opinion
We have invested a lot of time and energy building a team of people who are extremely capable of supporting our clients through the development of their hydro site from concept to completion. Our skill set includes Civil Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Electronic Engineers, Architectural, Environmental and Financial Specialists. While you may not need all of these skill sets to develop your specific project, it is reassuring to know that they are available if you should happen to need them.
photos courtesy of HydroNI
Most site owners are not from a technical background and the HydroNI feasibility report is written in plain simple language that is easy for the site owner and their family to read and understand. Once the feasibility report has been completed HydroNI meet the site owner and their family at a time that is convenient for them and talk them through the report, answering any questions that may arise.
Each potential hydro site is unique to the site owner. The volume of water, height difference, environmental considerations, ease of access and distance to the electricity grid varies from site to site. Each hydro site requires a feasibility study that specifically addresses the characteristics and requirements of the specific site.
The feasibility report is a very important step in the process of developing a hydro site that should be completed before the site owner incurs cost on drawings, planning application, etc. The site owner usually wants to know what their expected income will be, how much will it cost to develop the project and is the proposal financially viable. A typical feasibility report will cover the following.
Evaluate Site Characteristics
The site owner will already be aware of many of these. HydroNI will look for things such as
-Is this a green field site or an old mill site?
-What is the head (height difference between where the water is removed from the stream and where it returns)
-How far away is the electricity grid?
-How easy will access be for construction vehicles?
-Does the site owner have any specific requirements, e.g. integrating any new buildings with an existing dwelling or listed building?
Determine Available Flow
A good understanding of the available water flow is key to the success of any hydro project. Rainfall varies depending how far West or East the site is located and this will affect the available water flow. Water flow increases the further down a valley the hydro site is located, with small streams joining the main stream at various intervals.
HydroNI will develop a flow duration curve for the specific site. This identifies the volume of water to be used for hydropower and the residual flow to be left in the stream to protect fish life.
Calculate Income Potential
The site visit is a very important stage of assessing a potential hydro power site. The site visit gives us more information which we use to determine if a site is viable for hydro power or not. We will give the client our honest opinion of the viability of the site at this stage. While many sites that we visit will be viable, we sometimes need to advise the client at this stage that the site is not viable and that they should not spend money on it.
Assess Best Site Development Method
As part of developing the pre-feasibility report consideration is given to how best to develop the hydro potential of the site. What structures are already in place? If there is an existing weir, what condition is it in? Can an existing mill race be used? Can a pipe be used to convey water from further upstream, thereby increasing the head pressure and hence the power output? Does site access present any problems? Are there any environmental considerations?
Consider Turbine Options
Certain turbines are more suited to particular site characteristics than others. HydroNI will consider the head and flow available at the site and select a turbine type that is most suited to the specific site requirements.
Price Quotes For Equipment
Hydro turbines are manufactured specially for the site where they will be installed and are not available "off the shelf". Where a penstock (pipeline) will be used to convey water to the turbine the penstock needs to be correctly sized and pressure rated to the requirements of the site. To make the cost estimates within the pre-feasibility report as realistic as possible, HydroNI obtains price quotes for the pipes, valves, turbine, generator and control panel.
Estimate Total Cost & Return On Investment
HydroNI examines all the elements of developing the project: planning application, equipment cost, construction cost, grid connection, grants, etc. and estimates the total construction cost before and after grant.
The income potential developed earlier is used together with the estimated total construction cost to calculate the return on the clients investment and the number of years required for the project to pay for itself.
photos courtesy of HydroNI
Nature is responsible for the characteristics of the potential hydro site, we need to develop an engineering design that is appropriate and sympathetic to the characteristics of the site in terms of water availability, head, topography, fauna and flora, etc.
Customise Intake/Turbine House Design
The concrete structures, pipelines, turbine, etc. are all designed to the needs of the site in terms of the volume of water to be harnessed and the height difference between the point where the water is removed from the stream and the point where the water is returned to the stream. The design also needs to consider appropriate screening for the turbine to be installed to prevent damage to fish.
Ensure Visual Integration
Hydropower is generally not visually intrusive in the environment and frequently provides additional aquatic habitat in terms of small dams etc. that are visually attractive. Some sites, e.g. adjacent to a listed building, do require additional focus on the integration of the project. This is something HydroNI works through with each client on a case-by-case basis.
Submit Environment Agency Plans
HydroNI seek a pre-planning consultation meeting with NIEA, Fisheries and other regulatory bodies. Our experience is that this is beneficial to all the parties involved.
Review with Client
Designs are reviewed and agreed with the client prior to submission to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Planning Service. Any client changes can be accommodated at this stage.
Develop Construction Method Statement
HydroNI develop a Construction Method Statement appropriate to the proposed site development.This outlines what is being proposed, how it will be achieved and what anti pollution measures are being implemented during the construction phase to prevent accidental pollution of the surrounding environment.
photos courtesy of HydroNI
Expertise in Planning Requirements
Unlike a conventional architects practice where a broad range of projects are encountered ranging from single dwelling projects, to housing developments, to commercial premises, the HydroNI team specialises in developing only hydro power projects. We have therefore built up a vast amount of experience focused solely on providing a quality service to people interested in developing hydro power projects.
Planning Application Submission
We look after the entire planning application process for our clients including delivery of all the paperwork to the Planning Service. We provide the drawings, complete the application form, prepare the Renewable Energy Statement, and we prepare the Construction Method Statement.
Professional Planning Management from Application to Final Decision
We look after your planning application through the entire process, maintaining regular communication with Planning Service and responding to any queries that may arise. Each hydro site is different and site specific queries may arise depending on the nature of the site. We have an experienced team of people that we call on if the need arises. These people are available to help resolve any specialist environmental queries that may arise as part of the planning application but if you do not need to use their skills then you do not pay for them..
Onsite Consultation Meetings
The planning application will be circulated to various Government bodies who may wish to visit the site to further their understanding of the proposal, check for potential environmental impacts, etc. HydroNI will attend these site consultation meetings to explain the proposal and answer any questions that may arise.
photos courtesy of HydroNI
Once the permissions are in place we can finally start building the project. HydroNI currently have a number of installations complete ranging from 12kW medium head Crossflow site to 100kW high head Pelton site, with construction commencing in April 2012 on a low head Archimedes Screw Turbine.
One of the primary concerns during this phase is that the construction is undertaken with minimal impact on the environment. It is probable that the grant of both the abstraction licence and planning permission will contain rigorous conditions regarding environmental protection and indeed will often stipulate limited periods of the year when construction can take place, e.g. in fish sensitive rivers, in river work can only occur during the period of May to September. To achieve the necessary standards, we work with experienced civil engineering contractors. At the end of the construction and commissioning, we will provide you with all the training you require and a detailed project information pack HydroNI will project manage the scheme from conception through to electricity generation. In addition to overseeing the construction work on site, our work during the build phase includes:
Liaison with Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Inland Fisheries, Loughs Agency and the planning authority. These bodies can be expected to monitor the construction process carefully to ensure compliance with their requirements.
Formation of Health and Safety file for construction of project, with CDM Co-Ordination and site inspections to ensure compliance with relevant Health and Safety Requirements.
Co-ordination of work across several different disciplines on site. There will be a number of different contractors requiring access to the site, including civil, electrical and mechanical engineers in addition to work by the NIE.
Commissioning of the equipment, involving engineers from the equipment suppliers as necessary.
Training in the operation of and maintenance of the equipment. HydroNI will provide a maintenance programme if required.
The preparation of a project information pack.