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

Volunteer Discussion Night Comes up Trumps

Sep 282011

Some of our volunteers listening to the game's instructions

The room full of volunteers were chatting in small groups from the start at this month’s team based discussion night. The sneak preview of Powerstation Sheffield’s Renewable Trumps bought out the valuable team spirit as volunteers competed against fellow team members to practise for the team challenge.

They soon realised that there was a serious side to the fun – the alpha testing of the computer game. The promise of a free pint got some teams racing against the clock to get the highest score, while others were sidetracked by details which needed to be tweaked before the game’s release. The final scores were:
OU – 10
Dedicated to Gizmo – 17
Flash were joint with Panellists – 18
Raa – 23
Bags for Life – 24
Robin Hood – 26

In true climate change busting spirit, the winners chose to convert their prize into energy efficiency advice for the pub we were in. Further details about the game are under wraps until the launch, which is coming soon…..

Kelham Island Consultation

Kelham Island Hydro 4 Responses »

Sep 212011

Artists Impresion of Kelham Island Waterwheel

On Sunday, August 21st we held a special event at Kelham Island museum to consult local residents about our plans to re-install a waterwheel in the wheel pit behind Kelham Island Brewery.

We have been present at Kelham Island and the museum on about a dozen other occasions, but this time, in the light of the pending planning application, we leafleted the nearby apartments and asked local pubs and networks to advertise the event.

Just over a dozen people came to speak to us in the museum, and several others read the information on our display boards near the wheel pit later in the afternoon. Two local residents also contacted us by email as they were unable to attend on the day.

Overall there was good interest and support for the scheme. We talked to some local residents who raised concerns on various issues including noise, architecture and biodiversity. We explained the efforts we are making to explore options that mitigate potential problems. This included the assessments involved and plans for necessary work.

August 2011 Newsletter

Sep 202011

The August 2011 Newsletter can be downloaded here.

We hope you enjoy reading it and post any public comments in the space provided below.

Kelham Island Work Days

Kelham Island Hydro, Volunteer No Responses »

Sep 192011

Over the weekend of August 20th/21st we carried out some more work at Kelham Island.

We removed the straw bales that were used on the previous work day to prevent silt being carried out into the river.
We carried out a detailed survey to enable us to build a hydrological model of the site.
We also carried out flow tests using dye and some very special floats made out of ping pong and golf balls.

The survey and the flow tests will enable us to understand the site better and calculate whether we have enough flow to make the waterwheel viable.

Thanks to all the volunteers who came along to help.

Tinsley Fun Day

Jordon Dam Hydro, Other Sheffield Renewables News No Responses »

Sep 192011

On August 18th some parents and children from Tinsley went along to their local children’s centre to take part in games and craft activities. South Yorkshre Energy Centre also had a stall showing children how to make a paper windmill and giving parents energy efficiency tips.

We took along the model of our proposed Jordan Dam scheme together with information about the scheme and our model Archimedes screw. The parents we spoke to were familiar with Jordan Dam and interested to hear our plans. The popularity of our Archimedes screw, powered by water-filled coloured balls, kept some of the children and our volunteers very busy indeed – until the organisers enticed the children outside with parachute games.