3.1 Summary

There are a few pieces of essential information that need to be obtained when a new site is being considered for hydro generation. 

1.       Firstly, one has to identify whether there is a significant energy resource.  This involves estimating or measuring the flow and available head, and estimating what annual energy capture would result.

2.       If the potential output of a scheme is attractive, then one needs to be certain that permission will be granted to use all of the land required both to develop the scheme and to have the necessary access to it. 

3.       Finally, there needs to be a clear destination for the power: is there a nearby load that needs to be supplied, or is there a convenient point of connection into the local distribution network?

These issues are explored in more detail in the next sections: