20/04/2024
I recently spent time at Fonthill lake (S/W Wiltshire) & wanted to look further into hydro power after witnessing the shear power & constant flow of water. I also recently put up a FB poll whereby the majority (38%) chose tidal power as their priority for future investment.
There are many types of hydro-power facilities in the UK, all of which use the same principle of converting kinetic energy, created by the flow of water as it moves downstream, & converts it into electricity via turbines & generators. This electricity can then be fed into our infrastructure.
There are many properties across the UK that use hydro power to collect energy. Most of which were old mills of one type or another where the kinetic energy was used to grind down grain & have now been converted. Much like the hydro power station at Fonthill Lake as seen in the pictures/video.
How about the use of Hydro Power in the home?
Well, Hydro-power's practicality is limited entirely on whether you have access to running water & even if you have a river or stream nearby, it doesn't mean you can automatically consider hydro-power. “The Energy Saving Trust recommends hydro-power as a worthy community development project rather than a power system for just one home”. – Uswitch
As only a limited number of homes across the country would be able to set something like this up, I think it very unlikely we will see a large jump in private domestic hydro power, however perhaps local communities or counties with the natural resources will look at this as a viable option for the future.
