Highland Council submits plans for Archimedes screw hydroelectric scheme
5th October 2018
The Highland Council has submitted a planning application for a low head hydroelectric development at the Torvean Weir on the River Ness at land 430m south west of Highland Rugby Club, on Bught Road, Inverness
Using an Archimedes screw the hydroelectric scheme will have a generating capacity of up to 100kW and an average annual renewable energy output of approximately 600,000 kWh per annum. The renewable energy generated will return an income to the Council through the Feed in Tariff mechanism and be connected to the local Archive Centre and leisure centre. The facility will be housed in an external shell providing shelter to visitors to the viewing area.
The Development Site is located at the Torvean Weir on the River Ness around 2km to the south west of Inverness town centre. The area surrounding the site will be planted with native species. Directly to the west of the site is a new bridge, constructed as part of the Inverness West Link development and to the east is an existing lade which formerly supplied water to a historic mill which was demolished a number of years ago.
In 2017, the renewable energy project was estimated to generate an income of around £90k-£120k for the Council. The annual operating cost will be in the region of £15k. The installation will allow a controlled water flow, as well as providing sufficient screen to protect fish. The turbine is designed to have a low environmental impact.
Chair of the Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Allan Henderson said: "This modern, innovative project provides an excellent opportunity for the Council to generate income and renewable energy and make savings. The Archimedes Screw is a fascinating piece of engineering using proven technology which in itself should be a feature of significant interest and may hopefully inspire young scientists of tomorrow."
The planning application can be viewed on the Council's eplanning website at https://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/ by searching on the following reference number 18/04451/FUL
PHOTO
Artists Impression.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Essential works to commence on Inverness West Link
Works on the Inverness West Link Stage 2 were suspended on the 24 March 2020 following COVID-19 guidance from the Scottish Government. The Highland Council has been in dialogue with Contractors RJ McLeod and has agreed that essential works are required to begin to address safety issues but primarily the works to be undertaken are to provide for physical distancing and encourage active travel, walking, wheeling and cycling as part of, and to augment the successful Spaces for People project.Over 5,500 Highland businesses helped by COVID-19 small business and self-catering grant schemes
The COVID-19 small business and self-catering grant schemes, set up to help companies stay in business during the coronavirus crisis, have now paid out £59,628,750 to over 5500 Highland businesses. The Council has now processed 99% of the applications received since the grant schemes opened.
Schools Re-opening Guidance
Blueprint for safe return to classes. Detailed guidance on practical measures to allow schools to re-open on 11 August has been published.Back to school and learning - ‘carefully and gradually'
The Highland Council is assessing the implications of the First Minister's announcements made on the 21st May about the first stage relaxation of lockdown, concerning teachers and other education staff returning to the workplace during June to prepare for the return to school and settings on 11th August. Highland Council's Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "The return to workplace and Highland schools for our Education staff will have to be undertaken carefully and gradually.Water scarcity and Highland Council support for users of private water supplies
The Highland Council's Environmental Health Team is advising consumers to use their water wisely and check their private water supply systems for any signs of water leaks or risks of contamination. A private water supply is a property that does not have a Scottish Water mains water connection.Council confirms details for Household Waste Recycling Centres to reopen
The Highland Council can now confirm which of the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) across the region will re-open from Monday 1st June 2020. A phased approach to re-opening the sites will be adopted with strict controls in place to help manage social distancing and to ensure the anticipated high number of visitors and volume of waste can be handled safely and efficiently.Council's Garden Aid Service to start
The Highland Council's Housing Service currently operates an annual garden aid scheme, cutting grass in approximately 1,300 council house gardens. The Garden Aid service is for older or disabled tenants who don't have anyone to help them cut their grass.Highland Council awarded over £750,000 to roll out network of safe walking and cycling routes in response to Coronavirus pandemic
Following an ambitious bid by Highland Council supported by NHS Highland, to deliver rapid active travel interventions in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, The Highland Council has been awarded £752,954 from the Scottish Government's Spaces for People fund, which is administered by Sustrans. Over the coming weeks towns across Highland and the City of Inverness will see a roll-out of temporary walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure along priority routes.Highland Council publishes decisions made during COVID-19 emergency
Public assurance is being provided by Highland Council that the organisation is fully transparent and accountable during the COVID-19 emergency response as it publishes decisions made by its group of senior officers - or Gold Group* - under emergency procedures. The list of decisions made since 19 March 2020 is on the Council's website at the following link and will continue to the added to and updated as further decisions are made using emergency procedures.£56m COVID-19 Business Grants awarded in Highland
The COVID-19 small business and self-catering grant scheme, set up to help companies stay in business during the coronavirus crisis, has now paid out £56,286,250 million to 5135 Highland businesses. The Highland Council's Head of Development and Regeneration, Allan Maguire, said: "We now are processing applications and approving payment within days of a business submitting a complete online application form and its accompanying evidence.Information
Useful Links
What's On
Submissions
Newsfeed / RSS
