COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, July 13, 2015
QUESTION NO.3
QUESTION: Councillor W. Lavelle
To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed update on the Feasibility Study to investigate the potential for small-scale hydro generated power; including the results of Stage 1; and details of the assessments of the sites visits?
REPLY:
The objective of this stage of the study was to scope out potential sites using a combination of desktop research and site inspections to establish commercial viability for hydro-electric generation on the county rivers and indicating if the sites are likely to be affected by the provisions of the Habitats Directive or other environmental, fisheries or conservation issues. A table summarising the findings and identifying the potential sites can be found in Section 6 of this report.
The approach at Stage 1 focused on the analysis of existing information, maps and satellite imagery by hydro specialists to identify potential sites. Initial research involved 1985 Dept. of Energy Ireland Report identifying sites within the County and with potential. Old mill sites were also examined which were not included in the 1985 report. Eirgrids 2015 list of connected sites was reviewed to identify hydro-power sites already in operation to exclude them from Report. ESB Networks list 2015 was also perceived to scope out planned hydro power sites. 18 sites were identified from this review of documents, lists, satellite images and ordinance maps.
These sites were then analysed in terms of Flow and Head data, site ownership, Environmental issues, estimated power output and likely income stream and were each the subject of a site visit. A number of viable hydro-power technologies were analysed and evaluated in turn.
9 sites only advanced beyond this stage. These did not include sites on the Liffey, Griffeen or Camac due to technical and ownership issues. The sites subject to more detailed review were:
- River Dodder (Old Bawn Bridge)
- River Dodder (Weir at M50 roundabout adjoining Kilsaran Concrete).
- River Dodder ( Site 55 DOE 1 1987 study)
- River Dodder (Mareens Brook, Bohernabreena)
- River dodder (Cot Brook, Boherbnabreena
- River Dodder (Cot Brook, Upper Bohernabreena
- River Slade (Slade Brook, Dodder Tributary)
- River Slade (Slade Brook Upper)
- Owendoher River (Jamestown, near Cruagh).
5 from the above schemes will be selected for detailed feasibility, site levels and analysis and economic evaluation in the next and final section of the study.