Working with Hydrobot to identify potential locations:
Description of Hydrobot
Hydrobot identifies stretches of river where there is hydro potential, determines the scale of the power available, works out the probable cost of construction, and calculates the income that will be earned from exporting and from the UK Government’s Feed-in Tariffs.
The Hydrobot model was developed and employed on a project led by The Forum for Renewable Energy in Scotland (FREDS) on behalf of the Scottish Government and used to identify some 1,000 stretches of river capable of producing in excess of 650Megawatt. The Scottish Government published the report on the 2nd September 2008 and issu
ed a Press Release - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/09/02084203
It models the key parameters of potential commercially viable small-scale hydro systems, including;
- Environmental Data – river flow statistics provided by SEPA, Ordnance Survey topography, roads and railways, natural heritage land classifications, and national electricity grid
- Available Hydro Technology - turbines, generators and pipework
- Financial Factors – capital cost of equipment, operating costs, grants available, value of the electricity predicted
Following on from the hydro potential report the Scottish Government has published on the 21st January 2010 "The Employment Potential of Scotland's Hydro Resource" -
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/19141527/0
How to use Hydrobot to explore potential hydro sites on your rivers:
a) go to www.hydrobot.co.uk
b) e-mail gordonblack@babyhydro.co.uk and request an information sheet
c) Call Gordon Black on 01786 820018
