Hydro

The UK has been exporting hydropower equipment and services for about 150 years and is continually developing its already formidable capabilities.

The UK hydropower sector encompasses hydropower operators, investors, consulting engineers, manufacturers and equipment suppliers.

UK companies in the hydropower sector have strong capabilities in consultancy, design, feasibility studies, civil engineering, cable laying, electrical distribution systems, turbines and generators, refurbishment, piping, water pumps and treatment systems, mechanical sealing solutions and specialist materials, among others. Companies such as Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd specialising in fluid movement have been operating for over 100 years.

With around 1,500 MW capacity in the UK at current levels Hydropower contributes some 40% of the UK's existing Renewable Energy.

A modern hydro turbine generator can convert over 90% of the energy in the available water into electricity. This is more efficient than any other form of generation.

With most of the best sites for large scale hydro in the UK under use, the growth potential for future large scale generation is small. However hydro still has a part to play in future renewable energy in the UK. The growth of microgeneration is expected to continue through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an independent scheme that certifies microgeneration products and installers in accordance with consistent standards. It is designed to evaluate microgeneration products and installers against robust criteria providing greater protection for consumers.

The MCS is the only certification scheme to cover all microgeneration products and services, and has support from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, industry and non-governmental groups as a prime method for making a substantial contribution to cutting the UK's dependency on fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions.

For more information on the UK Hydro capability please visit the British Hydropower Association.

 

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Hydroelectricity: case studies

UK Hydroelectric Schemes from the Department for Energy and Climate Change website.
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