Small Scale Hydro Power
To offset the impact of climate change we must get much more of our energy supplies from renewable technologies powered by water, wind and sun. However, renewable technology must not dominate or ruin the landscapes they are helping to save – so small scale technologies are the most suitable in our national parks. There is also relatively low demand for energy here in rural communities without major industry.
Micro hydro power fits the bill perfectly in the Peak District, where there is plenty of rain and fast flowing rivers running down from the hills. We also have a rich legacy of water power.
We spent three years surveying and analysing over 150 river sites which were mainly old watermills that had fallen into disrepair. We found 80 that could be developed as sources of local hydro power in the future. Read the results in our Peak Power reports:
- Peak Power – A quick guide to Micro Hydro
- Peak Power – Developing micro hydro power in the Peak District (full technical report including listings of the sites covered)
- Appendices B1/1 and B1/2 – the results of the Geographical Information Systems constraints analysis for old mill sites in the Peak District National Park
- Appendices B2 and B3 – the results of the Geographical Information Systens constraints analysis for non-mill sites in the Peak District National Park, and all sites outside the Peak District National Park
- Appendices C, D, E, F – Appendix C is flow and power estimates for the ten case study sites; Appendix D is grid connection and turbine cost estimates for the case study sites; Appendix E is a list of useful websites for more information, suppliers and funding; Appendix F is a list of the project advisory group members
The Peak Power Report was compiled by Friends of the Peak District with help from technical consultants T4 Sustainability and the Devon Association for Renewable Energy. It was funded by: Peak District Sustainable Development Fund; East Midlands Community Renewables Initiative; and Chesterfield Steels Group