Hydro Electricity

Hydro-electric – high output potential for virtually no carbon emission

Hydro-electric power is one of the most effective of the renewable options. The electricity produced is virtually zero carbon.

Where hydro power generation potential exists, it should be thoroughly investigated for the following reasons:

• Plant offers near continual output
• Low maintenance
• Relatively fast payback
• Long service life

Perpetual Energy has found on a number of occasions that well established factories and buildings have been located near to a viable hydro resource, but it has fallen into disuse. In such cases, reinstating old plant can be very cost effective, as the civil engineering component of the installation can be often re-used.

Hydro-electric plant is obviously site specific. To generate substantial outputs it requires considerable flow rates of several hundred litres per second, and a 'head' (fall of water) of at least several metres. That said, lesser conditions may still be worth investigating.

Our consultants are adept in developing hydro resource and offer the following services:

• Determination of resource availability and financial viability
• Environment Agency liaison and permitting
• Connection design and permitting
• Design, installation, supply and maintenance of plant

Hydro-electric plant is usually grid connected so that surplus power can be sold to produce a revenue stream. As with all low carbon electricity, renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) are received on all power produced regardless of whether it is exported or used on-site.