Over recent years government incentives have led to the development of numerous small hydropower schemes in the Scottish Highlands of which four are described in this paper. The dams are all “smart dams” in that they have sophisticated control systems and are operated remotely.

The paper describes the control systems and the choices made to optimise the schemes. It reviews construction problems encountered, including those attributable to working in a harsh environment, and experience gained from operating the completed schemes.

SchemeDamHeight mHead mTurbine TypeGenerator kW
ArdtornishTearnait5.758.8Overshot Francis699
 Rannoch13.668.0Undershot Francis1499
EderlineSocach4.7214.5Twin Jet Pelton1900
Beinn EunWyvis5.6102.5Undershot Francis1400
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