Hydro Ness project - an innovative hydroelectric scheme on the river Ness
The £2.5m energy project saw the installation of a hydroelectric power turbine on the River Ness. The project which was completed in Spring 2022 will save up to 1,420 tonnes of CO2 per annum.
The scheme will provide 50% of the energy demand for the nearby Inverness Leisure Centre, which is currently one of the highest energy consuming buildings in the Highlands, dramatically reducing the need for fossil fuels.
The hydroelectric turbine has been designed to benefit visitors to the area, providing better connections between the city centre and the river and encouraging the 6 million yearly visitors to Highland to experience the sustainability initiative, set within the beauty of the natural landscape.
What is the Hydro Ness project?
It uses an Archimedes Screw mechanism which is a type of pump used for raising water up. It typically consists of a screw inside a cylinder. With the bottom end in water, the screw lifts water up to the top, where it pours out of a spout.
How could I use engineering as a career?
We have spoken to some real life engineers in the Highlands to find out what they do and why they love it. Watch our films to find out more.
Hyrdo Ness resources
We have created some interactive activities for primary and secondary age children for you to try out in the classroom or at home. You will also find accompanying teacher notes for each activity.
Learning intentions:
- to understand what renewable energy is and why it is important; and
- to test different variables to determine how we can produce the most energy.
Learning intentions:
- to understand how an Archimedes screw works and how we can use it to produce electrical energy; and
- to identify and understand the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy sources.