Big data technology helps to find ideal river locations for hydro-power generation
A technology in development with the University has the potential to revolutionise the sourcing of renewable energy from rivers.
A software app developed collaboratively by the University of Leicester and High Efficiency Heating UK Ltd. automatically selects appropriate locations in UK rivers to site a large range of micro renewable hydro-power turbines in UK rivers and determines the environmental sensitivity of the location.
This innovative prototype software saves thousands of pounds in initial survey costs - and saves time and paper work by making use of free publicly available data sourced from satellites to pinpoint the best locations in Britain’s rivers for sourcing energy.
The news comes as the University of Leicester prepares to showcase its partnerships with industry at the first Innovate UK-funded Venturefest to be held in the East Midlands at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham (Tuesday 14 April).
The team are currently seeking further funding from a range of potential investors to undertake a more robust national-scale validation campaign and develop a number of case studies.
The project was funded by a grant from Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board) for an initial 10-month feasibility project ISMORTASED (Identification of Sites for Micro-hydropower On Rivers Through Applied Satellite and Environmental Data).