Flowing water represents a huge opportunity for small-scale generation of clean energy with rapid paybacks. According to ABB's UK water industry manager, Clayton Mead, such applications are easier and cheaper than you might think, and VSDs can play a key role. In 2018, the UK generated an estimated 1.87GW of power from hydroelectricity - equivalent to 21% of all electricity generated from renewable sources that year. Hydroelectric schemes can range in size from large power plants, down to micro-generation and run-of-river installations. In Scotland, where I live, there is a huge untapped potential in the form of the many reservoirs, dams and watercourses across the country. Huge volumes of flowing water could be harnessed to create green electricity from existing natural and man-made processes.
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