BS: proposed hydro scheme at Balmoral

Subject: BS: proposed hydro scheme at Balmoral
From: Iains
Date: 27 Feb 18 - 12:04 PM

Not a "gween dweem" as it will be too noisy for little woodland creatures say environmentalists.
A proposed 2MW hydro scheme at Balmoral require more data on noise generation. "‘Typically, hydropower turbines can emit significant amounts of noise. Aberdeenshire Council Environmental Health hereby objects to this application until sufficient information is produced that indicates that any amenity loss is acceptable in all the circumstances."

Having a 1/3MW hydro scheme operating I know the noise is of a far low magnitude than the average windturbine. The latter normally seem to have to breed like rabbits in order to be viable. In Spain I could see fifty from my house. Where I am now I can see 15. The wind turbines are visually intrusive and the noise pulsates. The minimum distance from housing also varies
from place to place

Hydro schemes merely require a screend inlet, buried pipeline, power house and grid connection. The noise level can easily be controlled by the building design housing the turbine/s.

Subject: RE: BS: proposed hydro scheme at Balmoral
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 27 Feb 18 - 03:22 PM

Dinna fach Iains in the end it micht be a' watter under the bridge.

Subject: RE: BS: proposed hydro scheme at Balmoral
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Feb 18 - 09:16 PM

I wouldn't have a problem if they put a hydro plant on the Balmoral grounds. Let the Royals give something back to the people.

Subject: RE: BS: proposed hydro scheme at Balmoral
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Feb 18 - 04:49 PM

Warwick Castle has one. Not sure of the rating, but it was as quiet as a church mouse.

To get a hydro schems with a head of more than 2 feet you have to apply to at least 10 authorities. In the Stroud Valleys there are numerous mill houses built to use the water power and none of them are used for generation. One has a drop of at least 6 feet, pond already exists. Water just cascades. Flooding? that's what the pond is for.

Gatcombe Park has an even bigger pond, and Longford Mill there was generating in the 70's (3 day week) audio of the man controlling it. Not sue they generate now.

Subject: RE: BS: proposed hydro scheme at Balmoral
From: Iains
Date: 28 Feb 18 - 06:41 PM

The National Trust has a couple, one of which parallels the lower part of the Watkin Path on Snowdon. This produces something like 1900MWhrs/yr
with a 650kw turbine. The only part to be seen is the intake weir and the power house. The pipeline is buried. In comparison a 2.5/3MMW windturbine will produce on average 6000MWhrs/yr

Subject: RE: BS: proposed hydro scheme at Balmoral
From: Mr Red
Date: 01 Mar 18 - 03:42 AM

Hydro schemes should generate more MWh because water flow is more constant. The investment cost, unfortunately, doesn't favour schemes. Feral water is devastating. Look to the canal breaches. Hydro has to guard against that.

FWIW I favour hydro, because of the constancy, and untapped potential.

Subject: RE: BS: proposed hydro scheme at Balmoral
From: Iains
Date: 01 Mar 18 - 06:17 AM

The quoted cost for the Hafod y llan project in snowdonia was £1.5m.
This compares with an average turbine installed in Europe has a total investment cost of around €1.23 million/MW. The turbine's share of the total cost is, on average, around 76 per cent, while grid connection accounts for around 9 per cent and foundations for around 7 per cent;
Obviously costings and outputs are very much site specific.

https://www.thegwpf.com/type-failure-or-wear-and-tear-in-european-offshore-wind/

Subject: RE: BS: proposed hydro scheme at Balmoral
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Mar 18 - 01:34 PM

I am not a big fan of country estates but one fact about Chatsworth in Derbyshire blew me away. It has the highest gravity fed fountain in Europe (possibly the world. I can't remember) Anyway, in the late 80s they realised that the head of water it needed could be used to provide hydroelectric power for the house. So they did it!

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: proposed hydro scheme at Balmoral
From: Iains
Date: 01 Mar 18 - 02:05 PM

120m head through a 40cm pipe,