Spotlight on a company
leading the field in small-
scale renewable energy.
MORE than 100 years ago, many remote houses in Scotland had nothing
but candlelight to brighten the dark nights. So some large farms and
estates began installing small hydro-power generation plants to produce
electricity.
These plants involved the latest technology of the day and proved
invaluable in providing energy to more remote areas.
Today, Edinburgh Hydro Systems (EHS) is adapting and updating that
ancient but reliable technology to develop highly efficient and
successful hydro schemes all over the world.
Unlike many companies in the renewables sector, EHS develops projects
from conception to completion and provides clients and communities with
hydro schemes which are highly effective, in terms of both cost and the
environment.
Set up in 1988 by Simon Grey and Niall Wright, two enterprising
engineers who saw there was an increasing demand for small renewable
energy schemes, the company now has eight more experts. To date it has
designed and built six schemes in Scotland and undertaken many design
and feasibility studies for projects throughout the UK.
EHS has adopted a policy of offering the highest-quality service
combined with the latest technology, and has never settled for anything
less.
Says commercial director Niall Wright: ''We have spent many years
examining the market for small hydro power schemes and have applied our
practical business solutions to make projects commercial and to boost
the amount of renewable energy generated in Scotland. We feel it is this
solid groundwork and innovative approach that have contributed to our
success.''
At a time when many small English and Welsh hydro-development schemes
have failed, despite Government subsidies, EHS has been responsible for
successfully re-establishing a thriving small hydro industry in
Scotland.
The success of EHS is its pragmatic approach to developments and its
application of appropriate technology.
Simon Grey, EHS technical director, explains: ''In many ways we
consider ourselves to be a unique company in that we are not merely an
engineering consultancy, nor are we purely project managers. We use the
latest technology in developing renewable schemes and provide in-house
all the other services associated with these developments.''
Project developments are initiated by identifying a possible site and
assessing the economic and environmental potential. Design work and
surveying are then undertaken, planning permission sought, and this is
followed by construction, grid connection, and finally round-the-clock
operation and maintenance.
Project finance, energy sales contracts, and advice on all aspects of
renewable power can also be organised and it is this comprehensive
approach to small-scale renewable energy that the company believes has
boosted its position as the No. 1 small hydro development company.
Renewable energy is playing an increasingly important part in the
nation's energy requirements as the ''environmentally-friendly'' method
of power generation. EHS foresaw this and has developed its business
accordingly.
Initially many projects involved upgrading or redeveloping old hydro
schemes for landowners from the Highlands to the Borders. Most of these
schemes originally produced enough electricity for the estate alone, but
with EHS's redevelopment, landowners are reaping the financial benefits
of selling the excess electricity to the national grid.
The operation and maintenance of a number of small hydro schemes
spread across the length and breadth of the country provided the company
with an interesting geographical problem.
EHS's solution of linking each scheme to a central office computer via
BT's telephone network enables a means of 24-hour remote control. This
ability to apply modern techniques to a 100-year-old technology has
helped the company to compete within the recently privatised energy
marketplace.
''Hydro schemes are one of the most cost-effective and environmentally
sound methods of small-scale power generation available today,'' says
Simon Grey.
Back in 1988, EHS examined the market carefully and saw that renewable
power would expand, but that the expansion could be slow. It then took
the decision gradually to build up its expertise and consolidate its
position.
This consolidation involved searching for reliable and lasting project
finance and selecting the best engineers available in this field to join
the young company. When the first Scottish Renewables Order (SRO)
subsidy scheme was announced by the Scottish Office in late 1992, EHS
was in the perfect position to capitalise on all its groundwork.
Under the SRO, Scottish Power and Hydro-Electric are required to
obtain a certain amount of generating capacity from renewable energy
sources. Renewable energy schemes can bid for contracts to produce a set
amount of power at a guaranteed fixed price.
The year 1994 looks like being an active one for the company. Not only
is it submitting several schemes for the SRO contracts but it is also
pursuing opportunities as far afield as India and the Far East.
It has also recently been evaluating hydro projects on the River Trent
and other large rivers in England.
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