Highland Community Energy Society (Hydroturbine)

[Joeboy]

That's an excellent result. Would have been nice to keep it going for a while yet. I'm hoping to expand along with the Highland collective.

[nowty]

These Hydro projects look pretty simple installations, the latest Financial report from Ventus VCT (one of my investments) always has a great photo on their cover. They have 3 hydro installations in Scotland, I don't know which one this is because they don't add a note to the photo. If it is one of theirs, its either a 1MW, 1.9MW or 1.99MW installation.

[Joeboy]

Up-date on Kinlochbervie Community Hydro Scheme

As has been the case with much of the construction industry in recent months, the project has had difficulties with both supply issues and availability of labour. However, the project continues to make progress despite the difficulties.

The turbine house and been completed and clad. The intake access track is completed and work on the intake is nearing completion. The pipeline laying is now underway although progress has been slow. The process of pecking the rock out of the top section of penstock route has been taking longer than hoped. Arrangements are now being made to blast a particularly difficult section.

The turbine delivery has been delayed until the turbine house is ready with grid connected. The timing of the grid connection has yet to be confirmed.

[Mr Gus]

I do miss my peaty stains from the water (far nicer than hard water calcification) ..disconcerting for tourists running a bath mind.
That picture, I needed that! (maudlin moment missing the highlands) there can a be a lot of power in those burns that lulled me to sleep as a kid, (I dreamt "hydro" as a child)

[Joeboy]

Good news from Kinlochbervie!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... oser=false

[Joeboy]

Just heard that Kinlochbervie hydro turbine 200kW will be completed around 21st April 22. Will try and fit in a later in the year drive up there and will grab some photos.

[AE-NMidlands]

Update on the website now: (https://hces.coop/kinlochbervie/)

New 200kW hydro scheme – Kinlochbervie

The project is now nearing completion. The turbine is in place and the pipes are connected to the turbine house. The transformer is in place and pole work is being carried out by SSE to enable the grid connection.

It was hoped to commission in April but unfortunately supply issues continue to create delays. There was a delay in obtaining the import connection contract due to the current price uncertainties but this has now been resolved. A meter operator cont[r]act has been signed but the supplier is saying the meters cannot be installed for a few weeks. Whilst this will cause further delay with commissioning, we are hopeful that everything will be completed by May.

Kinlochbervie Community Energy Ltd hope to hold an official opening in September. The delay is to ensure that the landscape, on a particularly difficult site, has time to settle and to allow local school children to be involved on their return to school after the summer holidays.

Another (small) step towards a carbon-free future!
A

[Joeboy]

That is great to read AE, This has been a difficult project what with Covid, monster material prices rises and all the way through to having to dynamite the pipe trench! My only regret is that I have come to small scale hydro turbine investment late in the day. I hope they do more projects as i will be in there too. I think we are in Scotland in Sept so will hopefully manage up for a swatch at it. Will wait until the NC 500 has dropped off a bit.

[Joeboy]

Latest on KINLOCHBERVIE is July 22 for a switch on date.

"The Kinlochbervie project has been extremely challenging.  Built in a very remote location and affected by Covid throughout, the planned completion date of November 2021 has shifted to July 2022.  The challenges have been mainly around supply issues, particularly labour supply with specialists such as electricians and joiners very hard to get at times required by the project.  However, the work is now complete.  The turbine house, pipework and in-take are all in place.  The pipes are full of water and the turbine house is connected to the grid.  We have even managed to restore the peat to its original state as per planning conditions.

 

However, we are waiting for meters to be installed.  Normally, these can be ordered towards the end of construction and be delivered within four weeks.  This has now been stretched to 10 weeks which means they will be installed in early July.  Once meters are in place, we can then begin to import and export electricity and carry out the necessary G99 tests which have to take place before our electricity can be exported to the grid.  We fully expect to be commissioned in July, well in time for the September Feed in Tariff deadline.  The local community are planning an opening event in September and are very excited by what has been achieved.  The increase in electricity prices means they will receive more benefit from the project than was originally envisaged.  '

[Joeboy]

The system is being commissioned now!

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/kinloc ... oest=24785