Product category:
Building Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
News Release from: Dulas | Subject: Renewables
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 January 2005
Hydro power the new money-maker for
Welsh farmers
Export award winning Welsh renewables company Dulas Limited is setting its sights closer to home - and giving farmers and landowners a new opportunity for diversification.
Export award winning Welsh renewables company Dulas Limited is setting its sights closer to home - and giving farmers and landowners a new opportunity for diversification Hydro power systems can give good, long term returns on investment - many hydro schemes are still operating today after 50 years or more
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 12 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The economics are very site specific, but returns of 8-10% are typical, especially on larger schemes.
As an example, at a favourable site, an investment of GBP250,000 could generate an average net income up to GBP30,000 per year.
Grant funding can improve these returns considerably.
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And for farmers who don't have that kind of money to invest, Dulas will help source finance for the whole project, or develop the scheme and pay a lease on the system they install.
Now the Machynlleth-based company is offering farmers and landowners throughout Wales an opportunity to win a free desktop feasibility study to assess whether their holdings could be suitable.
Water power has been used throughout Wales for generations, some of the earliest systems were used on farms and slate workings to power machinery.
Increased access to mains electricity during the 1950's saw many hydro's fall into disrepair.
Now however, with improved technology coupled with Government incentives and additional payments for renewable energy, hydro makes sense as a way of generating new income.
"The opportunity to develop Hydro power won't be there for everyone, obviously there are some essential requirements which have to be met for a scheme to be viable," said Dulas marketing director Ian Draisey.
Top of the list is big enough catchment area to supply a large stream or river.
There also needs to be a significant fall (ideally more than 100m) for the water to generate significant amounts of power.
"Using the latest water screening technology means the systems we are using now are relatively trouble free and very long lasting - providing electricity for the farm and for sale into the grid over a minimum 25 year period," he said.
Certainly hydro has worked for farmer Tegwyn Jones of Maesglas in the Dyfi Valley.
His 100 kW grid connected scheme was commissioned in 2002 as part of a farm diversification project and was part funded by the Dyfi Eco Valley partnership.
Dulas used a reconditioned 1930's pelton wheel as the turbine, with new generator and control system.
The control system connects the system to the national grid to allow export of the generated electricity.
It also determines the flow available in the river and controls the turbine to give the appropriate flow.
Power generated from the system is sold into the grid under a NFFO contract, and the monthly/quarterly income makes a substantial contribution to the farm income.
Dulas is now looking for more projects to develop in Wales.
If initial calculations look favourable then a full feasibility study can be carried out usually including * Production of outline drawings showing location and size of equipment and structures.
* Detailed hydrology assessment.
* Assessment of scheme capacity and annual energy generation.
* Power purchase agreements and annual income estimates.
* Planning and environmental issues.
* Assessment of construction and development costs.
Dulas can design and build hydro schemes from start to finish.
This includes detailed system design, full project management, construction, installation, commissioning and, if required, operation and maintenance support or management for the completed scheme.
Dulas can provide a full commissioning service for existing schemes and can design refurbishment packages in order to make use of existing hydropower infrastructure.
"As a company, we are passionate about fighting the advance of Climate Change.
As well as the bigger global context, we believe renewables have a valuable role to play in the community, providing important income for the rural economy.
"And we also believe that renewables can make a valuable contribution to farm incomes across Wales," Ian added.
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