Two small hydroelectric schemes in the north west of Scotland were developed in 2016 in the rush to meet the cut-off date for the FIT. They were designed by a consultant and turbine supplier both of whom subsequently went into administration. From the outset after hand-over, some of the pipelines and other component parts failed and the schemes underperformed to the extent that the owner had little choice but to take legal action against the designers under their Professional Indemnity Insurance policy.

Hydroplan was contracted to provide the services of an Expert Witness which involved a detailed technical due diligence exercise on the design of the two schemes in relation to overall layout, pipeline design, build quality and actual performance. This work included the installation of monitoring equipment (cameras at intakes and flow and pressure gauging), analyses of actual and potential energy production, making recommendations on the necessary remedial works to the intakes and pipelines including detailed estimates of the cost.

The purpose of this work was to provide professional and impartial advice to the Court. Based on the information and reports that Hydroplan supplied, the case was settled out of court to the satisfaction of the owner.

Key Features:

• Complex schemes
• Multiple considerations
• Short deadlines and time pressure

The post Expert Witness first appeared on Hydroplan - Hydropower Consultancy.

In 2017, Hydroplan conducted a Due Diligence assessment of two hydropower projects in Yorkshire on behalf of Triodos Bank. The Thrybergh scheme (260kW) is on the River Don near Rotherham and has been operational since September 2015, and the Kirkthorpe scheme (500kW) on the River Calder near Wakefield has been operating since December 2016. Both schemes are low head. The assessment included the following elements:

• Site visit and inspection of the stations.
• Assessment of the quality of construction and the condition of the stations.
• Comparison of predicted AAEP with actual performance since commissioning.
• Review of turbine and station performance.
• Review of current O&M costs.
• Review of future maintenance, repairs and renewals budgets.
• Report providing a summary of the above and recommendations.

Following receipt of this assessment, the Bank then released funds for a further scheme at Knottingley on the River Aire, which Hydroplan inspected for due diligence for the client during construction. This scheme has an installed capacity of 500kW and sells the electricity directly to a paper mill on the opposite bank of the river. All three projects were developed by Barn Energy Ltd.

The post Yorkshire Hydro Project first appeared on Hydroplan - Hydropower Consultancy.