Sustainable hydropower

According to the (UK's) Environment Agency :

A sustainable hydropower scheme builds environmental protection into the choice of site and design. Key environmental features include:

· A fish-friendly turbine, such as the Archimedes screw, and/or adequate screening of the turbine.

· Safe routes of passage for fish where appropriate.

· Sufficient flow in any depleted reach to maintain the ecology, the fishery, and its amenity value.

Example at Osbaston, Monmouthshire
A small scale hydropower installation on the River Monnow in Osbaston, Monmouthshire, has been cited by the Environment Agency as an example of a sustainable scheme.

The installation, which was built as an investment by a private homeowner, has two fish-friendly Archimedes screws to power the turbine and a separate fish pass, to allow the migration of fish. The installation harnesses around 670,000 KwH electricity per year - or enough to power 152 homes. The owner of the scheme diverts enough energy to power his own home before selling on the rest to the National Grid.

References