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Domestic hydro - company in Cork?

  • 28-04-2009 10:55AM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38


    Hi guys

    I am looking in to micro hydroelectricity generation ( domestic use) is there any company in Cork that would take on this project.

    Firstly I would need a site assesmant, we have enough flow not sure about head.

    Any advice or recommendations appreciated.

    Regards,

    Reg 1


Comments

  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 6,379 Mod ✭✭✭✭Macha


    Contact SEI. They have just set up an Ocean Energy Industry Forum:

    http://www.sei.ie/Renewables/Ocean_Energy/OceanEnergyIndustryForum/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38 Register1


    Hi Taconnal,

    Thanks for that, I have contacted those on list down south but to no avail.

    Reg1


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 6,379 Mod ✭✭✭✭Macha


    Hmmm...maybe contact SEI directly? Their renewable energy office is actually in Cork:

    Renewable Energy Information Office

    Sustainable Energy Ireland
    Unit A, West Cork Business & Technological Park,
    Clonakilty,
    Co. Cork
    p +353-23-42193
    f +353-23-63398


    Also, this is the page with info on small hydro projects:

    http://www.sei.ie/Renewables/Hydro_Energy/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38 Register1


    Great, thanks for that. Will contact them directly.

    I was considering taking on the project myself, but ideally would like consultation just to mak esure we are on the right track.

    Reg 1


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    I have a small domestic hydro that I self-installed in W. Cork. It is quite straightforward to do, but you may have planning issues if the stream is one that has fish (technically, micro-hydros do need PP).

    Depending on scale of the project, it should be DIYable OK. If you want to grid tie the output, a standard wind inverter will do that bit no problem

    PM me if you are nearby. I'm based in Bantry. Q


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 112 ✭✭Lightning McQue


    Try www.solarite.eu or 042-9358002 or 087-9670588

    They installed a 3kw turbine in Greystones Co. Wicklow.

    I didnt see it.

    Other websites

    www.coolpower.ie
    www.merrimack.ie havent installed any yet
    www.actionrenewables.org
    www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
    www.aidanmaguire.com
    www.energysavingstrust.org.uk

    www.piccoloenergy.ie are looking for someone to instal a micro-hydro turbine. Havent done one yet

    www.absak.com/library/hydropower
    www.navitron.org.uk

    Lightning


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 112 ✭✭Lightning McQue


    Quentin

    How big is your turbine?

    How important is the distance from the house to the turbine?

    I am concerned about transmission losses. The turbine would be located 500 metres from the house.

    Lightning


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    Quentin

    How big is your turbine?

    How important is the distance from the house to the turbine?

    I am concerned about transmission losses. The turbine would be located 500 metres from the house.

    Lightning

    If you use a 3 phase 300V turbine, cable losses shouldn't be too significant, depending on your output a cable of either 3X6mm or 3X10mm should do it for turbines up to 1kw - you would have losses of about 2% on a 1kw system with 10mm cable. I would try to go for as high a voltage as possible to reduce current and losses.

    Mine is a Stream Engine, which can produce up to 1.7kw, but we have it cut back to 300 watt because that is all the water we have available. Its more of a hobby.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 118 ✭✭jocmilt


    Dan Twomey
    Waterpower Engineering
    Carrigeen
    Banteer
    County Cork
    Ireland

    Tel 029 58177



    http://www.waterpower.ie/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    By the way, the company you refer to doesn't sell hydro and to be honest, I haven't seen big commercial opportunities in that sector. If you have a suitable site, hydro is great and can have a fantastic payback time, but there are so few such sites compared to sites suitable for wind or solar thermal so I think it will always be a minority interest, suitable for very competetent DIYers.


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  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 6,379 Mod ✭✭✭✭Macha


    jocmilt, if you suspect a poster of shilling please report the post instead of filling the thread with unfounded accusations.


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