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The Archimedes Screw in the Settle Hydro run-of-river scheme
About this project
The scheme, which began generating power in late 2009, is sited on the River Sett, near Bridge End Mill in Settle. An Archimedes screw has been placed alongside the river to generate electricity from the natural flow of the water. The system has a capacity of 48 kilowatts (kW). The scheme is on track to generate 180,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy every year, enough to supply around 40 households. It is expected to save around 800 tonnes of carbon emissions over the first ten years of operation by displacing fossil fuel electricity generation.
The income that will be generated through the sale of electricity to the National Grid, which will also be supplemented by the Government’s renewable energy incentive, will be spent on projects to regenerate the local area. CO2Sense Principal Consultant, Jemma Benson, says: “Settle Hydro is a great project because it works on two counts: it benefits the environment whilst generating a long term revenue stream for the local community which can then be used for future projects.”
Renewable Energy
“Settle Hydro is a great project - it
benefits the environment whilst
generating a long term revenue
stream for the local community."
Jemma Benson
Principal Consultant – CO2SENSE
CO2Sense is the not-for-profit low-carbon expert company that helps organisations to cut their costs and to improve their environmental performance. We offer nononsense, clear help and capital investment to cut the cost of energy, water and waste, and to generate clean energy.
The hydro system in place in Settle
There are plans to roll this technology out across the North, where a further 12 plants that could benefit from a renewable source of heat have already been identified. Green Frog Managing Director, Jeremy Taylor, says, “By sitting Green Frog’s plant next to other businesses with a need for heat generated by our process, we are able to further cut energy use and carbon emissions.” “It makes both sound financial and environmental sense.”
“With help from CO2Sense we have
managed to successfully build a
renewable energy scheme which uses
both new technology and a new
community ownership model.“
Ann Harding
DIRECTOR – SETTLE HYDRO
The Archimedes screw featured in the project is relatively new to the UK, but is fast gaining popularity as it is seen as ‘fish friendly’. Fish are able to swim through the system, removing the need for expensive screens, and helping to sustain the Sett’s natural biodiversity whilst generating clean electricity
The Hydro generator works in harmony with local wildlife
The River Sett
CO2Sense contributed a £50,000 capital grant to the overall project cost of £340,000. This was used to fund the purchase of the Archimedes screw and generator.
Additional grants were awarded to the project from Yorkshire Forward and Key Fund Yorkshire, along with a loan from the Charity Bank. The remaining funding was met via a public share issue which raised £110,000.
The project is owned by Settle Hydro, an industrial and provident society for the benefit of the community. This is organised as a co-operative, with surplus revenue used for local community projects and for promoting environmental sustainability.
The formation of Settle Hydro is jointly sponsored by StART (Settle Area Regeneration Team), Settle District Chamber of Trade and Settle Going Green. Settle Hydro Director, Ann Harding, says: “With help from CO2Sense we have managed to successfully build a renewable energy scheme which uses both new technology and a new community ownership model.”
Already the scheme has won four awards for its innovation and environmental benefits, including the 2010 Yorkshire Rural, Yorkshire Post Community Environment and Yorkshire Forward Creating Better Futures awards.
Most recently, the Renewable Energy Association Community Award recognised the project’s inventiveness, tenacity and advocacy in establishing a complex hydro scheme for the benefit of the whole community
Sustainable Ventures
5th Floor, County Hall,
London,
SE1 7PB
Email: info@co2sense.co.uk Web: co2sense.co.uk
Registered in England no. 5383346
Project Part – financed by the European Union.
European Regional Development Fund