Clean energy by the community, for the community February 2012

Questions..... Who is Ham Hydro and where do they come from? What are their objectives and what are they doing? What are the benefits for the community? How do they want to achieve this? What are the impacts going to be? What do the numbers look like? What is the overall timing? How can I get involved?

Ham Hydro CIC is… Created by members of Ham United Group (HUG) in early 2010 the objectives of the company are to generate electricity from renewable sources and use the income generated to promote and develop low- carbon solutions in the local area, and support the local community We want to act locally. We believe renewable energy is part of the solution. We want to have ownership of the project. We want to see the benefits retained locally.

And these are the members of the team…

The Ham Hydro Journey 2006: members of HUG looked into the possibility of developing hydro power at Teddington Weir. Mid-2009: steering group formed and feasibility study commissioned. Summer 2009: feasibility study completed; discussions begin over structure of company and members’ commitment to project. Supporters of HH

The Ham Hydro Journey April 2010: Ham Hydro CIC formed - develops a submission in response to call for expression of interest by Environment Agency (EA).

The Ham Hydro Journey August 2010: Shortlisted, then selected as the developer by the EA. Obligation to work with the EA’s preferred civil engineering firm, Morrison Construction. January 2011: signed an exclusivity agreement with the EA – we are now exclusively permitted to develop the project. We won the exclusive rights to develop this

The Ham Hydro Journey Spring 2011: Environmental Impact Assessment initial screening accepted by Richmond Council. Autumn 2011: Environmental Site Audit and Flood Risk Assessment undertaken. December 2011: submit application for planning permission.

Concept is based on Archimedean Screws Archimedean Screws have been used for 1,000s of years but until recently their purpose has always been to raise water. By reverse engineering the screws and installing it on a river it is possible to utilise the energy generated by the flow of the river. This is amplified when sited at a weir as the drop in water level can also be exploited. Water passes from upstream of the installation into the screw channel. It then passes through the screw and the force from the flow turns the screw. The turning of the screw is used to generate clean electricity which can then be used or sold on.

Positioned on Teddington Side of the Weir Section of weir to be replaced

Power Generation depends on several factors Water flow m 3 /s - 50% of time 35 m 3 /s and more Capacity 27 m 3 /s Head m Tide Residual flow 5 m 3 /s Peak Power 492 kW and total annual production 1.9 million kW/h = 600 homes

Flow

Flow & Head For the project to break even requires a minimum average flow of 21 m 3 /s over the weir. The minimum average flow over the last 10 years has been 21 m 3 /s - over the last 40 years, 18 m 3 /s. The mean flow since records began (1883) is 56 m 3 /s. The maximum capacity of our turbines is 27 m 3 /s. Our recent modelling of the flow and head data in 2010 – collected every 15 minutes – shows that, had our scheme been installed, the yield would have been 1,933,000 kWh.

Fish Friendliness Archimedean screws are the preferred technology of the EA due to their minimal impact on downstream migration of fish. Multiple studies have concluded fish can pass unhindered through the screws and suffer minimal damage if hit.

Fish passage through screw

Fish passage via fish pass The 2 existing fish passes will be replaced by a much larger double gradient Larinier pass, as recommended by the Environment Agency. This will improve upstream migration for all fish species recorded in the Thames region.

Noise impact The noise impact assessment we conducted for our planning application was carried out according to Richmond Council’s specifications. Further background noise survey has been carried out by the Council. Further research is being carried out by us and the screw manufacturers to model the possible noise impact. We will implement appropriate noise mitigation as required.

Benefits of the project Community ownership The community decides what to do with the ‘community fund’ The community earns interest on their investment Environmental impact Clean energy production (CO2 neutral) equals 600 homes or 80% of the borough’s secondary schools 1,000 tons CO2 savings compared to conventional energy generation Community fund Re-invest in further renewable energy projects Support those who suffer from fuel poverty Any other ideas – the community will decide

Further benefits of the project Raise awareness and speed up roll-out of low carbon projects in the area – more carbon savings Educational benefits: research/school projects… Sustainability Workshops Connect with Kingston University –graduate project to analyse flow data already undertaken St. Mary’s University – plans to develop a sustainability display w. link to project Newland House School – building hydro model and learning about renewable energy Grey Court School – Science department very interested in the project Real time display of output and description of scheme

Licences & Planning Permission All hydropower schemes in the UK require licences issued by the EA. Ham Hydro has submitted an application for an impoundment licence and will also submit applications for flood defence consents. Must meet flood risk, fisheries and other environmental criteria. Our planning application is under consideration by Richmond council and is available for viewing at appNumber=11/3908/FUL

Environment Agency & the Gateway Process The Environment Agency (EA) has set out a framework to guide the development process. This framework is called the ‘Gateway Process’ and lays down certain requirements of the developer (us): environmental monitoring must be carried out before granting the necessary licences post-construction monitoring must be carried out The EA also has set out its own Good Practice Guidelines for hydro power developers

Project & construction timeline (provisional) March 2012: planning approval granted April 2012: share issue launched June 2012: weir pool survey conducted July/August 2012: licences granted October 2012: preparatory civil works begin January 2013: civil works begin in earnest March/April 2013: delivery of screws June 2013: commissioning NB – this process involves many procedures being run in parallel

Carbon Leapfrog Huge hurdles to overcome when you start out. Bridges gap between getting project up and running and being able to secure significant finance, bank loans etc. Independent project management advice. Design assistance from HLM Legal support Norton Rose. Accounting support Grant Thornton. HLM Architects

The legal framework The CIC (Community Interest Company) adds an ethical dimension to corporate law: Specified community benefit An asset lock, which is inexpensive and easy to set up Transparency of directors’ remuneration and use of assets Legal protection from demutualisation and windfall profits being paid to directors and members The IPS (Industry and Provident Society) is the next step: Typical Company Structure of Co-operatives Is able to issue shares to members

Financials Total Investment (net) Annual Revenue (net) £m Current estimate, based on construction cost with all risks included. £k 12.1p/kWh index-linked for 20 years

December 2011 Short-term finance, pre- planning, high- risk, confirmed financial plan: Business Sponsorship (£10k and £30k+) Patrons (£500- 1,000 public) Gifts Loans (e.g. Pure Trust) April 2012 Long-term finance, post- planning, low risk: share issue (£1m+) will open after having achieved planning permission, currently scheduled for March June 2012 Complementary finance European loan funding via council Bank finance Finance options Source required funds in time to keep project running and ensure risk is kept at required level

What is the share issue? Will commence after having achieved planning permission You can invest from £500 up to £20,000. You’ll become a member of the IPS and will have equal voting rights on decisions at the annual general meeting. We are aiming for an interest rate of 5% which is comparable to an ISA but comes with a risk as it depends on profits. We will finalise our proposals and mitigate risks as far as we possibly can, by January/February Sign-up and we’ll keep you informed!

For how long can you invest? You can leave the funds in over 20 years and get regular interest, depending on the financial situation of the company. You won’t be able to withdraw within the first three years – so please consider this as a long-term investment – afterwards you can apply to withdraw the funds, and… subject to approval you can take your money out of the company. You can provide risk capital or other financial support from now on, please contact us

Community contact and Support Ham Hydro has run stalls at Richmond Fair and Ham Fair, as well as taking part in the HUG stall at Ham House Sow & Grow day Several public meetings have taken place in Ham and Teddington and many other presentations Over 600 people have pledged their support for the project, either on sign-up sheets at these events or online via our energyshare page

Public meetings Around 70 people at Ham meeting Over 100 in Teddington

Support us and tell your friends… Website: Facebook Page “This is a really imaginative, practical initiative that will provide environmental benefits with community gain... They have my full support.” Vince Cable MP “This is a hugely exciting local project, but it is also important nationally. Small-scale, decentralised clean energy is the future, and Ham is right at the cutting edge. Zac Goldsmith, MP