JeanTinsley

Kelham Island Wheel In Motion

General, Kelham Island Hydro No Responses »

May 162012

One of our volunteers, Steve Joseph, has made an interactive working model of the proposed Kelham Island Hydro scheme, complete with river and weir. It has a wheel, powered by water, in a wheel pit, about 1/40th of full size. The water is circulated by a pump so that the weir pool and head goit are fed just like in a real water power site. The wheel is connected to a generator, which is metered to show the power produced. The wheel is a Zuppinger type, and it is controlled by a top fed sluice gate, as in the proposed scheme.

The fun part is that the river flow, the sluice gate, and the power drawn from the generator can all be changed using a standard infrared remote control. This means that you can find out about the effects of drought or flood, and try out setting the sluice gate to the right height to get the most power out without letting the river flow get too low. If there is a computer available, it can be connected to the model, and all of these settings displayed and recorded.

You can see a very brief video at https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByJbt0g-wxqqdHNpZWh3TU10aVk

Steve's model

We will be bringing it along to some of the summer festivals.

F A Qs

General, Jordon Dam Hydro, Kelham Island Hydro No Responses »

May 162012

Kelham Island Hydro and existing local ecology

Sheffield Renewables is passionate about environmental issues and committed to the delivery of sensitive local schemes that will deliver real benefits to Sheffield. We have assessed, and will continue to assess, the impact of our schemes on the local ecology.

See here for a document that provides answers on the most frequently asked questions about the impact on ecology.

Pioneer Investors

Invest, Jordon Dam Hydro No Responses »

May 082012

The grassroots support behind Sheffield Renewables has long been the driver of its aim to help Sheffield become a more environmentally sustainable city. The enthusiasm of local people to deliver locally produced and owned renewable energy is visible throughout the organisation, including volunteers, investors and supporters.

This energy and commitment has again been demonstrated thanks to 24 Pioneer Investors whose contributions have made nearly £16,000 available to Sheffield Renewables. These funds will help keep the organisation running as it pushes forward the development and ultimately the build of Jordan Dam Hydro – to be Sheffield Renewables’ first community owned and operated renewable energy scheme, benefitting both the city and its people.

Pioneer Investors are exposed to a degree of risk as they are funding activities that are to be carried out before a final decision to go ahead with the Jordan Dam Hydro project. This alone shows the commitment, energy and belief from the people behind the organisation, showing Sheffield is a forward thinking place where people are willing to adopt a pioneering attitude towards becoming environmentally sustainable.

Pioneering spirit shown by investors

General, Invest, Jordon Dam Hydro No Responses »

Apr 242012

The grassroots support behind Sheffield Renewables has long been the driver of its aim to help Sheffield become a more environmentally sustainable city. Harnessing the enthusiasm of local people to help instigate a dramatic shift in the way energy is produced and owned locally is highlighted throughout the organisation, from the management group through to the volunteers and supporters.

This energy and commitment has again been demonstrated thanks to 24 Pioneer Investors whose contributions have made nearly £16,000 available to Sheffield Renewables. These funds will help keep the organisation running as it pushes forward the development and ultimately the build of the Jordan Hydro Dam - to be Sheffield Renewables’ first owned and operated renewable energy scheme benefitting both the city and its people.

The whole of Sheffield Renewables is currently working hard to secure funding to cover the costs for the build of Jordan Dam Hydro. However, to commit to the build the organisation needs funds to cover up-front project costs and to run Sheffield Renewables as the project is delivered. The Pioneer Investors benefit the organisation by allowing the existing Early Bird Investors to release some or all of their investment to help cover costs such as:

1. Project development work, including review of legal agreements and advice on procurement

2. Core operating costs over the next year, including office, staff costs and if sufficient grant funding is secured, Sheffield Renewables plan to appoint a Chief Executive.

Pioneer Investors are exposed to a much higher degree of risk as they are funding activities that are to be carried out before a final decision to go ahead with the Jordan Dam Hydro project. This alone shows the commitment, energy and belief from the people behind the organisation, showing Sheffield is a forward thinking place where people are willing to adopt a pioneering attitude towards becoming environmentally sustainable

LEAF funding

General, Jordon Dam Hydro No Responses »

Apr 242012

Sheffield Renewables was successful in its application to the Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF). The fund which is backed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) aims to support communities across England and Wales to play an active role in the development of a low carbon society where energy supply is both secure and affordable.

The LEAF programme is clearly intended to benefit the community sector in its efforts to grasp existing and upcoming opportunities provided by the Green Deal, Renewable Heat Incentive and Feed-In Tariff, all of which encourage organisations to use their own initiative to develop sustainable energy schemes that mitigate against climate change.

Ed Davey, Secretary of State for DECC said of the scheme: “These grants are designed to nurture the ideas and enthusiasm of communities up and down the country who want to cut energy use, cut emissions and save money.”

Despite the LEAF funding receiving a phenomenal amount of interest from groups across the country, Sheffield Renewables managed to secure £7,000 that will help support:

The development of the Sheffield Renewables Business Plan
The completion of the Jordan Dam Business Case
Preparation of the Sheffield Renewables Share Offer
Funding towards Project Manager costs to help move forward Jordan Dam Hydro.

You can keep up to date on these developments via the Sheffield Renewables website or by signing up as a supporter to receive the Sheffield Renewables Newsletter.