In a demonstration of its versatility, robustness and lightweight nature versus traditional materials, Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation’s Ridgistorm-XL large diameter piping system has been airlifted up the mountainside of the Arrochar Alps to Loch Sloy as part of a rather unusual power sector project.

The mountainside is home to the Loch Sloy Dam and Sloy Reservoir, whose combined catchment area of 31 square miles is collected to supply Scottish and Southern Energy’s (SSE) Sloy Hydroelectric Power Station.

Located on the banks of Loch Lomond, the power station converts energy generated by water travelling down the mountainside from Loch Sloy above in pipework, which is then turned into useful electricity, feeding homes across Scotland.

Polypipe CGU’s Ridgistorm-XL came to use during repair works to the existing pipework at Sloy Reservoir, which was originally installed in 1946. The system replaced part of the original pipework to collect excess water from the catchment area of the reservoir to feed the power station.

SSE called upon Polypipe CGU to produce a suitable water management solution that could not only provide adequate water capture, but that could also be delivered and installed safely in such a remote location. This was achieved using pre-fabricated Ridgistorm-XL with lifting points.

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Working with SEE, Polypipe CGU devised a system comprised of two RidgistormTrap Catchpits and five lengths of the company’s population Ridgistorm-XL large diameter pipe in 750mm diameters, offering excess water from the catchment area.

Standing at 3.45 metres high, the RidgistormTrap Catchpits in 1500mm diameters were selected to provide effective separation of silt and debris from water entering the system – a vital consideration given the remoteness of the site.

Manufactured off-site under factory conditions and delivered ready to install, the RidgistormTrap Catchpits designed by Polypipe CGU’s team were engineered to feature inlets and outlets at exact heights to suit the site’s gradient and allow the effective flow of water through the system.

The remote site location meant that traditional vehicle access was impossible, leaving SSE with no option but to lift the system into place via helicopter. To provide stability while handling and mitigate the risk of damage, Polypipe CGU’s in-house fabrications team also pre-welded Ridgistorm-XL lifting points to the RidgistormTrap Catchpits, allowing SEE to airlift them safely with slings into position for installation with the Ridgistorm-XL pipes.