Tag Archives: Waterwheel

Case Study, Hydropower

Longaller Mill

Hydromatch Consulting Case Study 7 Site Name: Longaller Mill
System type: Zuppinger Waterwheel Power output: 12 kW
Manufacturer: HydroWatt GmbH Typical Generation: 70 MWh p.a.
Client: Mr and Mrs Beaumont Design Conditions: H = 2.00 m
Q = 1.00 m3/s
Location: Near Taunton, Somerset Commissioned: August 2010
Longaller Intake
Project description:

The current owners had been planning a hydropower scheme at this former mill for 20 years before the system was finally installed in 2010. Previous feasibility studies had considered various low head turbine options but all were unsatisfactory from both a cost and a planning perspective. Plans to sympathetically update the mill with a new waterwheel system were proposed and permission was eventually granted to remove the existing listed wheel which was well beyond repair and unsuitable to adapt for electricity generation.

A layout was designed which enables as much of the historic infrastructure as possible to be preserved by positioning the new drive and generator on the opposite side of the wheel to where the old pit wheel is positioned. This now sits on a reinforced wall between the wheel pit and relief channel alongside.

The mill and surrounding area flood on occasion due to downstream flow restrictions. It is possible that future flood levels could reach the height of the wheel axle. With this in mind, the gearbox unit has been designed with labyrinth seals which prevent water ingress if temporarily submerged.

Under the guidance of Hydromatch Consulting, the scheme owners carried the site preparation and building work themselves. The scheme is accredited for FITs.

Case Study, Hydropower

Maerdy Mill

Hydromatch Consulting Case Study 5 Site Name: Maerdy Mill
System type: Overshot Waterwheel Power output: 4 kW
Manufacturer: HydroWatt GmbH Typical Generation: 15 MWh p.a.
Client: Environment Agency Design Conditions: H = 3.00 m
Q = 0.20 m3/s
Location: Maerdy, North Wales Commissioned: July 2008

maerdy1

Project description:

This site is owned by Natural Resources Wales (previously the Environment Agency Wales) and used as a salmon hatchery. There was keen interest from the fisheries team in harnessing the surplus flow of water in the former mill leat which now supplies the fish rearing tanks to offset the energy consumption at the site. As the site is often left unattended, it was important that a system was installed which could be relied upon to work with little supervision.

An overshot waterwheel was quickly identified as an appropriate solution which also made most sensible use of the existing infrastructure which was of course originally designed to incorporate a similar wheel.

The scheme required planning permission, Environment Agency licensing and CDM regulations to be precisely followed during the installation. Nevertheless, the project was successfully commissioned and handed over to the Environment Agency staff within 6 months of the contract being signed with Pico Energy Ltd.

Case Study, Hydropower

Currypool Mill

Hydromatch Consulting  Case Study 4 Site Name:  Currypool Mill
System type:  Overshot Waterwheel Power output: 6.5 kW 3 phase
Manufacturer: HydroWatt GmbH Typical Generation: 30 MWh p.a.
Client: Mr and Mrs Taylor Design Conditions: H = 3.20 m
Q = 0.35 m3/s
Location:  Cannington, Somerset Commissioned: November 2006
Project description:

A sawmill in a previous life, Currypool Mill was renovated by its new owners and converted into a family home. Options for power generation including a crossflow turbine and an overshot waterwheel were compared in terms of cost, power output and suitability for integration with the surrounding buildings. The simplicity, overall efficiency and lack of screening required favoured reinstatement of a waterwheel.

An old badly broken ‘Armfield’ turbine was removed and a new launder was installed along with an overshot wheel made from Corten steel, which was carefully dimensioned to fit the existing wheel pit.

The system operates without active flow regulation under normal generating conditions. During shutdown the flow is diverted behind the wheel via a trap door sluice in the launder. If the power is interrupted, the hydraulic circuit which normally holds the sluice shut, is de-energised and the door opens under its own weight. This provides a failsafe means of controlling the system.

The power produced is exported to the grid on a net metering basis. This enables the power to be consumed in the building if sufficient demand exists or otherwise exported. The system has been registered with OFGEM for the awarding of ROCs since 2006.

Case Study, Hydropower

Lemsford Mill

Hydromatch Consulting Case Study 3 Site Name: Lemsford Mill
System type: ‘Zuppinger’ Waterwheel Power output: 15 kW
Manufacturer: HydroWatt GmbH Typical Generation: 65 MWh p.a.
Client: Ramblers Holiday Ltd Design Conditions: H = 2.00 m
Q = 1.35 m3/s
Location: Lemsford near Welywn
Garden City, Hertfordshire		 Commissioned: August 2005

Lemsford waterwheel

Project description:

The listed former textile mill situated on the River Lea is the head office of Ramblers Holidays Ltd who undertook a program of significant refurbishment in order to provide a modern business premises for their 45 full-time staff prior to moving in in 2005. A feasibility study showed that hydropower could meet a significant part of the buildings energy consumption and compared to options using conventional turbines with a modern waterwheel. It was decided that a modern waterwheel was the most appropriate solution due to the considerable aesthetic benefit as well as cost-effectiveness compared to the turbine options. The new wheel dimensions are very similar to those of the original, which had disappeared and enabled a close fit into the existing wheel pit.

The wheel operation is regulated by a control system, which monitors the upstream water level. It adjusts the position of an overshot sluice gate along with a second relief channel sluice gate. An auxiliary power system enables the inlet sluice to close and water levels to be maintained upstream via the relief sluice in the event of disruption to mains power. The system is simple to operate and requires very limited maintenance.

The power produced is exported to the grid on a net metering basis. This means that the power is consumed in the building if sufficient demand exists and otherwise exported. The system has been registered with OFGEM for the awarding of ROCs since 2006. The building refurbishment with waterwheel was both regional and national winner of the British Council for Offices awards 2007 in the ‘small project’ category.