{"id":293,"date":"2026-01-20T11:44:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T11:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/connectedaberdeen.org\/tillydrone\/?p=293"},"modified":"2026-01-20T11:54:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T11:54:19","slug":"ace-community-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/connectedaberdeen.org\/tillydrone\/ace-community-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"ACE Community Energy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Aberdeen Community Energy is almost 9 years old now \u2013 our Hydroversary is approaching, and we started producing electricity on 21st<\/sup> September 2016.\u00a0
This scheme, down next to the river, beside Donside Village, is entirely run and managed by volunteers, who give their time because they believe passionately in what we are doing – creating clean, green renewable energy, at no \u2018cost\u2019 to the planet and in total harmony with the river.<\/p>

We are a multi award winning hydro scheme, who grew out of Donside Village Community SCIO, and we started out hydro journey in 2014, with a couple of years of planning and getting things in place prior to the big build in June 2016.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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In the past 9 years we have produced over 3.4 million kWh of renewable electricity, planted over 3,000 trees and shrubs (hydro hill is looking magnificent), removed tons of tree trunks, branches, leaves, grass and assorted \u2018objects\u2019 (plastic buckets, traffic cones, shopping trolleys, bikes, balls, plastic bottles and general \u2018debris\u2019) from the lade, to keep the otter screen clean.\u00a0 This is essential as any blockages in front of the otter screen stop the flow of water over the screw and prevent us producing as much electricity as we can. It\u2019s all hands-on deck at times to clear it all out!<\/p>

We have collected loads of litter from the surrounding riverside, undertaken a huge amount of \u2018land management\u2019 including keeping the river path clear, cutting back foliage, and general maintenance in and around the area.
We have given umpteen tours and seminars to universities (including international students), colleges, schools, politicians, walking groups, local community groups and really just anyone who approaches us to find out more!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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On Sun 7th<\/sup> September, over a 2-hour event, we were delighted to be able to give tours to over 150 folk from Aberdeen, as part of \u2018Doors Open\u2019 2025 (our first Doors Open tour was in 2017 \u2013 we were on the cover of the brochure!).\u00a0 It is always a pleasure to be able to do this, and we were especially glad to see many locals visiting our hydro scheme.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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You may have noticed in recent months that the Archimedes screw is not turning. Please don\u2019t be concerned, the screw is not broken. This stoppage is due to the very low water levels and lack of rain.\u00a0 We can only produce electricity when there is sufficient water, so it is common in the summer to be \u2018off\u2019 but this summer has been especially dry!\u00a0 We are all doing rain dances and hopeful for a good winter season, as October to March is when we tend to produce the most electricity.\u00a0 Fingers crossed we have lots of rain!<\/p>

Our \u2018Community Fund\u2019 is growing, from annual profits from the hydro (whenever there is indeed a profit) \u2013 a percentage goes into the fund, from sales of our delicious honey, and from delivering paid seminars and hydro tours for universities and fee paying schools.\u00a0
We are currently looking at how to spend this, in line with what people said they wanted to see down by the river during the community consultation we carried out when we were buying the land through the Scottish Land Fund.\u00a0 Hopefully, within the next few months you will start to see the addition of seating areas around the hydro site, and along the riverside next to Donside Village.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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We are always looking for volunteers, so if you want to get involved, please email us on acenergy2016@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Extra hands, especially following floods and doing the \u2018big clean up\u2019 which follows these events, are always welcome.<\/p>

We are currently also looking for financial support, so if anyone is reading this and has skills in financial management and wants to help out and join our team of volunteers, please get in touch and find out more, we would be delighted to hear from you.<\/p>

Keep an eye on our face book page for updates and information, https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ACEnergy2016<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Have a look at our YouTube page for some videos and a \u2018virtual tour\u2019 of the scheme, which we made during the pandemic, so people could still see round, even though restrictions were in place.
There is even a \u2018time lapse\u2019 video of the hydro being built, so you can watch it going up!
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@aberdeencommunityenergy7441<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Aberdeen Community Energy is almost 9 years old now \u2013 our Hydroversary is approaching, and we<\/p>\n