Project Lead: Dalavich Improvement Group
Infrastructure and Innovation Fund award amount: £6,867
Area: Dalavich (Argyll and Bute)
Technology: Options appraisal of alternatives to conventional grid connection for River Avich hydroelectric scheme
Background
The communities of Inverinan, Dalavich, Lochavich and Kilmaha, which form the Dalavich Improvement Group (DIG), were planning to build a 350kW run of river hydroelectric scheme on the River Avich. However, the grid connection cost was high and the need for transmission network upgrades meant the connection would be limited to 50kW until 2021.
With a view to exploring alternative uses for the energy generated, Community Energy Scotland prepared this options appraisal which outlined six potential options to maximise local energy use from the hydroelectric scheme.
These options were:
- supply of electricity/heat via a ‘private wire’ network (Microgrid)
- woodchip drying and production
- wood pellet production
- crop production via polytunnel/heated glasshouse
- sustainable community transport
Community Hall, options for future development
By understanding the advantages and disadvantages, along with financial and technical requirements of each option, Community Energy Scotland believed DIG would be in a better position to make an informed decision to maximise the local use of energy from the hydroelectric scheme leading to a more sustainable community and more financially viable scheme.