Small scale hydro power for hotel

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 12 Jan 2017, 10:40

At the opposite end of the scale, a local (to me) hotel grow some of their own food and have an orchard, keep bees. The grounds are home to some of the oldest trees in this county, too, making it a very attractive tourist hub.

Their latest project - nearing completion - is to harness the power of the river running alongside.

The feasibility study showed that the hotel's entire electricity needs could be met by this hydro scheme, with excess fed into the grid. If only all businesses tried to think in the same ways...

Little John · Post by **Little John** » 12 Jan 2017, 11:10

Does this hotel have many, if any, debt overheads? How many other businesses do have debt overheads and don't have some nice, tourism-generating trees or a handy, energy-generating, stream on-site? Don't misunderstand me, it all sounds rather lovely. But, in reality, how much of an exemplar of how other businesses could be run is this place?

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 13 Jan 2017, 04:05

Most businesses have a roof, LJ, where they could put PV to reduce their power requirements but do they use them? If everyone does a little it can only help and where someone can offset their entire requirement it helps a little more.

Sounds like your glass is getting to be half empty rather than half full, LJ.

Little John · Post by **Little John** » 13 Jan 2017, 09:04

If most businesses, by putting solar PV on their roof, could make a measurable dent in their outgoings, do you not suppose they would do that? Businesses may be many things but those that survive are, above all other things, conscious of what will make them money or what will save them it. The only other explanation is that the majority of business owners are stupid in their own terms. Which they wont be.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » 13 Jan 2017, 16:48

Little John wrote:If most businesses, by putting solar PV on their roof, could make a measurable dent in their outgoings, do you not suppose they would do that? Businesses may be many things but those that survive are, above all other things, conscious of what will make them money or what will save them it. The only other explanation is that the majority of business owners are stupid in their own terms. Which they wont be.

It may also be because many businesses are in rented properties and so there would be difficulties with installations, as to who is going to pay and who owns them. Small business may hope to move into bigger premisis in a few years, so what happens to the solar gear? There is also the point that the businesses can probably earn more by investing in the things they do, rather than in something that will save them a bit on their overheads.

Post by **adam2** » 15 Jan 2017, 13:59

Subjects to the caveats about perhaps renting premises, most businesses could install a PV array, but many that could simply do not.

I am sorry to say that IME a lot of small businesses ARE stupid as regards energy use, savings or energy production.
Looking at the lighting in many cafes, restaurants and public houses, one might think that a regulation prohibits the use of low energy lamps.
I have known many publicans who simply refuse to believe that it is worth spending £3 on a light bulb.

If they wont spend £3 on a light bulb then not much chance of spending £thousands on a grid tied solar array, no matter how attractive the economics look to you or me.

Small scale hydroelectric plant as described in the O/P has a great deal to commend it at the small minority of premises with suitable site conditions.
But most owners of small businesess look upon such equipment as an "expense" and not as an investment that produces a tangible return.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 17 Jan 2017, 11:15

adam2 wrote:But most owners of small businesess look upon such equipment as an "expense" and not as an investment that produces a tangible return.

Yes, in this case it's a deliberate 'ploy' to up the hotel's green credentials. A sound business move, as no publicity is bad publicity. I for one would recommend the hotel above others within the same area.

Given the current UK government's attitudes towards climate change, there is no encouragement or incentive for looking beyond the immediate bottom line nor is this likely to change.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » 17 Jan 2017, 17:43

Pity about the light bulbs as my quick calculation indicated a payback for the Philips' LED bulbs of around 2 years. Pretty quick really.

Post by **adam2** » 01 Feb 2017, 20:45

woodburner wrote:Pity about the light bulbs as my quick calculation indicated a payback for the Philips' LED bulbs of around 2 years. Pretty quick really.

And quicker payback is likely in most business applications due to the greater daily hours of use,
Yet many pubs, cafes, coffee shops and the like are still lit by incandescent lamps.