Community hydroelectric scheme, Scotland.

[adam2]

280 kw capacity.
100% hydroelectric.

This system and others like it could be expanded if the demand existed. Add wind or PV so as to save water for later use when the wind or PV is not available.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63402811

[BritDownUnder]

It's a good idea and I think government spending should be used to introduce more schemes like this. Looking at the site on google maps and they say 120 litres per second of water and about a 300 metre hydraulic head leads me to calculate a theoretical power output of 350kW so everything looks accurate in that report. They probably saved a lot of money in consultancy fees and grid studies and connection fees by staying off grid.

A good example to other communities to introduce microgrids around the place and keep the regulators and grid out of it.

[Mark]

Knoydart Renewables – The Power of Knoydart:
https://knoydart.org/knoydart-renewables/

Definitely a great effort, but they haven't done it totally unaided....
They quote the project cost to be £2.7million, so money had to be raised from various sources, not just from local residents....

However, it could be the start of a trend in rural areas......
Energy Local 'Clubs' are starting to spring up in other places such as Bethesda (North Wales) and in Bridport (Dorset)....
https://energylocal.org.uk/clubs

[adam2]

There would seem to be considerable potential for expanding this facility.
Adding wind or solar as already noted, and perhaps raising the height of the dam, this would slightly increase the power output, and substantially increase the storage capacity.

Other plans include a larger penstock and a second turbine.