Client – Atholl Estates

Project Overview

As part of a drive to increase renewable energy production, Dulas was hired by Atholl Estates, one of Scotland’s best-known highland estates, to oversee all stages of a new run of river hydro scheme at Tulliemet Burn. The team had previously worked on a range of schemes across their 145,000-acre portfolio, and as a result the client was happy to turn to Dulas once more, knowing they could expect the same high levels of quality and commitment.

Given the team’s familiarity with the estate and its existing hydropower plants, Dulas was well positioned to manage the entire project, delivering a service that met site-specific challenges and ecological concerns throughout the project cycle.

The unique ecological considerations provided by the scheme required innovative thinking by Dulas’ engineers and consultants, as they worked to develop a solution that was environmentally sensitive without impinging on the generation of the scheme.

Implementation

During the initial planning stage, Dulas conducted a series of early feasibility studies, including an Environmental Impact Assessment, to assess the specific challenges and requirements posed by the site, before moving onto design and implementation. A particular consideration was the presence of a large group of otters in the burn.

This necessitated a pipe route re-design so as not to disturb the otters’ habitat. Dulas recommended use of the HCTI Twin Jet Turgo Turbine due to its ability to maximise generation throughout the year, producing 252 kW of hydropower for the estate.

Following completion of the design and its approval by relevant authorities, Dulas project-managed each stage of the scheme’s construction and installation, right through to connection and commissioning – ensuring the new powerhouse was completed in a timely and
eficient manner.

The project management team overcame significant challenges in stakeholder management to ensure the highest level of quality during each stage of the project. This entailed managing a variety of different stakeholders, including sub-contractors, local authorities and regulatory authorities.

Outcomes and Benefits

Despite these challenges, and delays on the part of one of the contractors, the scheme was successfully delivered and commissioned on time, allowing it to meet the Feed-in Tariff deadline.

It was completed to a recognisably high standard, and Dulas received enthusiastic feedback from a range of stakeholders including the client and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Having chosen Dulas on the basis of an established and successful working relationship, at Crianlarich the client received a turnkey service built on years of hydro engineering experience.

This ensured that the project moved smoothly through each stage of development, from design to construction and installation and finally on to commissioning.