2011 March » Sheffield Renewables | Community Action for our Energy Future

Waterwheels

General, Kelham Island Hydro No Responses »

Mar 312011

A model water wheel that was built many years ago by one of our volunteers and water power enthusiastÂ Rowan Watson-Taylor, has recently been restored and used in our current shop window display in the city centre.

Rowan's restoration work, getting the waterwheel ready for public display

Rowan has given us the following information about water wheels:

Water wheels are of tremendous historical importance in Sheffield, operating grinding and forging works in the metal trades.Â We already have the two priceless gems ofÂ Shepherd Wheel and Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, but the Kelham Island project will be more than a museum exhibit.Â It will generate green electricity for the local community and will be the return of productive water wheel operation in Sheffield.

The Kelham Island wheel will be of the Zuppinger design that dates from the 1870s. Â Â This type of wheel has curved blades that enter and leave the water with the minimum of drag/resistance which is necessary for undershot water wheels;Â simple radial paddles are now outdated technology.Â This beautiful design was developed in Germany at the time when water wheels were on the way out, with steam taking over as an industrial power source, it therefore never established itself in the UK.

Rowan Watson-Taylor

Successful First Meeting with Engineers Without Borders

Other Sheffield Renewables News, Support, Volunteer No Responses »

Mar 282011

Guy's confident presenting style easily filled the lecture theatre

Sheffield Renewables has made significant steps in enhancing their relationship with Engineers Without Borders. Based at the University, the Sheffield branch of EWB represents an obvious source of great potential, with many young engineers looking for opportunities to put their skills and ideas into practice.

Using presentations put together by the SR communications team, points that were covered during the evening included: the ethos of Sheffield Renewables, the current projects at Jordan Dam and Kelham Island, funding and investment details, how Sheffield Renewables was formed and how it operates now, possible involvement by EWB on current and future projects and general publicity events.

All those present showed a keen level of interest with many engineers indicating they would be happy to take on a volunteering role with Sheffield Renewables. It illustrates the willingness of Sheffield Renewables to work together with other groups to deliver the best possible outcome for all who support and invest with us.

Our first collaborative success was achieving a flawless 20/20 performance in the University Arms pub quiz, but due to lack of knowledge of birds and 1950s novels we unfortunately missed out on free drinks!

Guy (volunteer).

“Off-Grid” – still a novelty rather than the norm

General No Responses »

Mar 232011

Artist's impression of proposed PortZed development

The Zed Factory (Zero (fossil) Energy Development) is currently awaiting planning permission for its new PortZed zero-carbon housing development in Shoreham, East Sussex. The apartment complex is designed to be entirely self-powered and will be in the UK’s largest off-grid housing development when complete. A combination of wind turbines, solar thermal, photovoltaic cells and heavy insulation will mean the residents will live “off-grid”, independent of the electricity of the national grid as the building aims to produce all the residents’ energy needs.

For more info on PortZed click here.

Given that CO2 emissions from domestic housing account for around 27% of the UK’s total CO2 emissions, there is a massive carbon saving to be made from improving energy efficiency in homes, changing behaviour and encouraging micro-generation. In recognition of this, the previous government brought in the target that all new housing must be zero-carbon from 2016 onwards. However, this target is still to be defined by Grant Schapps, the present Minister for Housing. Developments such as PortZed are too few and far and between, a novelty rather than the norm that they must become if the government is to meet its targets.

Ultimately this type of development should be seen up and down the country on every new build, whether it be housing or commercial buildings. It isn’t though. Sooner rather than later these developments will come into their own. It’s not just about being green, being low carbon, being eco-friendly, it’s common sense. As energy prices increase and energy security becomes more of an issue, government , businesses and householders will have to be more aware of where their energy comes from and how they use it. There are numerous individuals and groups warning of the dangers of peak oil, energy security and energy affordability.Â Some are even predicting rolling blackouts and power shortages in the UK in coming years as our demand for electricity is forecast to double by 2050.

Owning, controlling and understanding the energy you produce and use, such as at the PortZed developments, is one of the greatest ways of empowering people to use energy efficiently and sensibly. Electricity production at the source of consumption – giving people, communities and businesses the responsibility over their energy production helps ensure that we reduce our carbon footprints and use energy sustainably. Being in control of our own energy through a reliable, cheap and secure mix of local renewable energy sources – rather than being dependent on it getting to us through a pipeline or on a ship and transported half way across the world while its price is vulnerable to speculators, natural disasters, wars and popular uprisings – is surely the future for all our energy needs.

Jordan Dam Planning Application Submitted

Jordon Dam Hydro, Press Releases No Responses »

Mar 142011

Arial photograph of Jordan Dam area

Sheffield Renewables [1] has submitted an application for planning permission to build a hydro power scheme at Jordan Dam, near Meadowhall.

Rob Pilling, Managing Director of Sheffield Renewables said: “This is another important step bringing Jordan Dam water power closer to fruition. It represents a lot of hard work by our volunteers and has been made possible by the support of our funders and partners.”

The Jordan Dam scheme comprises a ‘modern’ Archimedes screw to be located next to the dam that separates the River Don from the canal. Although the Archimedes screw was invented to raise water, at Jordan Dam it will be used in reverse, enabling the downward movement of the water to generate electricity. The scheme will generate around 310,000kWh of electricity per year. This is the amount used by about 80 typical family homes [2], providing a saving of around 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year [3]. This location has been selected because it has one of the best water power resources in Sheffield.

Submission of the planning application marks the end of the first phase of development work. Next steps include further technical development, application for an abstraction license and significant fundraising effort. The aim is to raise Â£250,000 towards the capital cost of the scheme by selling shares, enabling members of the community to become owners the scheme.

Sheffield Renewables welcomes comments and questions about the scheme, especially from anyone living near-by. They also encourage people to share their opinions with the council by commenting on the planning application, reference number 11/00615/FUL online via Sheffield City Council’s website.

Sheffield Renewables offers a range of volunteering activities to suit different interests, experience and time available.

Ends

Notes:

[1] Sheffield Renewables is a community and a social enterprise that develops, funds, builds, owns and operates renewable energy schemes. This means that we are run by and for local people and also that we are not-for-profit. Surplus money we earn is re-invested to support local sustainability. Much of our work is carried out by volunteers, which helps to reduce our costs.

Our schemes will contribute to city wide efforts to meet targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and for increasing local renewable energy provision. We reinforce these direct carbon savings through local outreach, communications and education. Our work also helps to strengthen social cohesion and community resilience by encouraging people to work together and to share a common purpose, and also by developing community owned assets. In pursuing our aims we work across the city for the benefit of everyone, while giving an additional focus to those areas close to our project sites.

[2] This is based on an average UK household electricity consumption of 3,935kWh per household per year. Provided by the Energy Saving Trust (see their website)

[3] Based on a carbon dioxide emission rate of 0.537kg CO2/kWh of grid generated electricity from The Carbon Trust (see their website)

Sheffield Renewables [1] has submitted an application for planning permission to build a hydropower scheme at Jordan Dam, near Meadowhall.

Rob Pilling, Managing Director of Sheffield Renewables said â€œThis is another important step bringing Jordan Dam Hydro closer to fruition. It represents a lot of hard work by our volunteers and has been made possible by the support of our funders and partners.â€

The Jordan Dam scheme comprises a ‘modern’ Archimedes screw to be located next to the dam that separates the River Don from the canal. The Archimedes screw was originally invented to raise water. At Jordan Dam it will be used in reverse, enabling the downward movement of the water to generate electricity. The scheme will generate around 310,000 kWh of electricity per year. This is the amount used by about 80 typical family homes [2], providing a saving of around 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year [3]. This location has been selected because it has one of the best water power resources in Sheffield.

Sheffield Renewables welcomes comments and questions about the scheme, especially from anyone living near-by. They would also encourage people to share their opinions with the council by commenting on the planning application, reference 11/00615/FUL at www.sheffield.gov.uk/planningonline .We also offer a range of volunteering activities to suit different interests, experience and time you can spare.

City Centre Display

Jordon Dam Hydro, Kelham Island Hydro, Other Sheffield Renewables News, Support, Volunteer No Responses »

Mar 142011

Our finished model of Jordan Dam

Come along and see our model of the Jordan Dam scheme in one of the Sheffield Showcase shop windows in town.

The Showcase windows are empty shops that can be booked to advertise businesses or community groups. We have a window on Cambridge St, just off Pinstone St near Debenham’s. Our exhibition will be there until April 1st.

The model making group burned the midnight oil to get the posters and the model ready in time. We were also very lucky that one of our volunteers, Rowan Watson-Taylor, had made a model water wheel (it actually works! you can see it in action at Peace in the Park) that is an eye-catching feature of the display.

Rowan's waterwheel, on display in the shop window.

Why not have a look and let us know what you think? Whilst you’re there you can check out Sheffield is My Planet’s shop window display, on the opposite corner.

Jean Tinsley