The new hydroelectric plant, expected to be built in 6-7 years, will provide enough electricity for more than 1.4 million households each year.
Earba Lake was chosen as a new site of hydropower project because of the ideal terrain and geology. Image: Gilkes Energy / Energy Errage Gilge
Gilkes Energy, the company based in Kendal, England, has just been licensed to implement Earba Hydroelectric Project with a installation capacity of 1.8 GW and a 40 GWH storage capacity in the Scotland plateau. This will be the largest project of this type in England, Interesting Engineering On 6/4 reported.
The hydroelectric plants include two altitudes, acting as a huge battery. When the demand for electricity is low, the excess electricity will be used to pump water from the lake to the top, storing there. When the demand for electricity increases, the higher lake water is discharged down, rotating the turbine and producing electricity.
Earba hydropower project operates by rotating water between Loch Earba under low and Loch Leamhain lake. The overhead lake of the project will store enough electricity to provide more than 1.4 million households each year.
Gilkes Energy said the location proposed for the project has ideal features for a hydroelectric plant. According to the company, geology and terrain around the lakes form the shape of a natural “bowl”, just a simple modification to form two upper and lower tanks, delicate harmony with the local landscape.
The project will include the construction of dams to lift the water level of both lakes. The lakes connected by the underground waterway system with three water tunnels. The main components of the project include power plants, electricity distribution stations, two water bridges, a new intersection and a bridge across the nearby Spean. Gilkes Energy hopes that the new project will create 500 local jobs during the construction period that lasts 6-7 years.
When the British energy system moves from adjustable thermal power sources on demand to continuous renewable sources, the demand for energy storage increases significantly, according to Carl Crompton, CEO of Gilkes Energy. The electrical charge systems allow excess renewable energy, mainly from the wind, stored and used later, when the production level drops low.
Crompton also emphasized that energy storage plays an important role in allowing him to enhance the use of renewable energy, promoting the country to the target of net emissions of zero, while enhancing energy security.