28th October 2009 - SCREW INSTALLED TODAY

INSTALLATION DAY

Settle Hydro Directors, Steve Amphlett and Ann Harding, model the latest fashions in WorkWear as they nervously await the arrival of the Screw.

Steve (on the left) has been persuaded by Ann to wear an orange High-Visibility Jacket which is at least 5 sizes too small. The outfit is completed by a jauntily placed yellow hard hat. Although not obvious from this picture, Steve has tucked his shirt in his underpants.

Ann (on the right), shrinking violet that she is, is modelling a bright fluorescent pink jacket which we have been reliably informed is visible from the moon. An equally bright fluorescent pink safety hat completes the ensemble. Fortunately, Ann was unable to obtain a pair or bright fluorescent pink safety shoes in her size (size 14 extra wide!)

The low-loader, with Screw on board, turns into Langcliffe Road as it completes it's long journey from Nuremburg.

A local policeman guards the screw in response to hijack threats from Somali pirates.

No idea who that is!

After several attempts, the lorry driver manages to successfully parallel-park the lorry

First to be unloaded is the generator and gearbox assembly

The Screw is carefully lifted off the lorry at a precise angle of 22degrees so that it will match the incline in the outflow channel.

Carefully does it!

Little bit lower!

Watch your toes!

Nearly there!

Mmm - nothing much happening - I will have to go and see what the problem is!

Really pleased with how many people came to see the spectacle

The problem is that the dam (or should that be damn!) boards at the river-end of the Screw channel are preventing the screw from being pulled back so that the top end of the screw can be positioned in the window in the front-wall of the Powerhouse.
If in doubt, call for the sledge hammer!

The lintel and stone above the window are carefully removed

Stan - the extremely good looking site foreman - gets up close and personal with the Screw and tells it to stop misbehaving - or else!

With the lintel out of the way, the top end of the Screw is carefully lowered into position. (Has anyone told Stan to get out of the way?)

Perfect Fit - Phew (we never doubted you Richard!)

Matthias (Ritz Atro Engineer) is very pleased with how things are going

The Screw in position

Generator and Gearbox patiently waiting to be lifted in position

Cross-Beam that will support the lower end of the screw is lowered into position

The automatic Sluice Gates (that control the amount of water flowing down the Screw) have been delivered and will be installed in a few days time

The frame in which the sluice gate will be mounted is fixed in position.
(Is Stan down there by any chance?)

The cable that will connect us to the National Grid has been laid in the trench

The cable trench has now been extended along Duke Street, towards Settle.

This is where our cable will be connected to the Grid.
Our cable will be spliced to the middle cable that can be seen in the bottom of the trench.

There she is again!
There's no hiding place when you're dressed head to toe in bright fluorescent pink

It was a great, and quite emotional, day for all of us who have been intimately involved with the project.
Our thanks go to Richard, Julie and their team from LMC who have worked so hard to build this hydro-scheme. To Matthias from Ritz Atro who has done so much to ensure that our screw was built and delivered without a hitch and for overseeing the installation of the Screw. To Helen from H2OPE without whose help we would never have envisioned this project. To Chris I'Anson and Hugh Clark who have given genourously of their time and expertise. To all our funders and shareholders, without whose money and support this project would not be possible.

Although this is a major milestone for the project there is still much work to be done to complete the installation and to fully commission it such that we can generate clean, green electricity. We expect that the final stage of the project will take 4 to 6 weeks.

Keep reading this blog for up-to-date news and pictures.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR
More pictures and videos of the installation of the Screw 

27th October 2009

The night before the big day!

From left to right: Sue (Steve's partner), Matthias (Engineer from Ritz Atro), Steve (Settle Hydro Director), Richard (Boss of LMC - our main contractor), Helen (H20PE Director and Settle Hydro Director)

Where's Ann?  Under the table......??

23rd October 2009

IT'S ON IT'S WAY!!

Our Archimedean Screw has left Ritz Atro in Germany this morning and will now be slowly making it's way to North Yorkshire.

The picture below gives a good impression of the size of the screw.

You can see that it comes complete with the trough within which it will rotate.

This view from the rear of the low loader shows the generator and the gearbox which are all part of the package. These items will be installed in the Powerhouse and connected to the end of the Screw.

Back on site, Richard's team continue to make excellent progress. They have started backfilling around the trench that will hold the screw. They have also started reinstating the walls that face the river.

The trench that will hold the screw is now complete.

A dam made of substantial wooden planks has been positioned at the river end of the trench. This should keep out all the water we are expecting to come down the river as a result of the heavy rain that has been forecast for this weekend

This picture shows the steel screen that will be installed in the inlet channel to prevent any large debris from entering the screw.

At great expense (1/2p) we employed a local model to pose alongside the screen in her sexy hard hat and fluorescent jacket.

This is a great picture taken from the opposite side of the river.

The screw trench and Powerhouse can clearly be seen. You can also how the outflows from the screw and the fishpass will converge.

The wall in the river that we were asked to built by the Environment Agency can be seen in front of the screw outlet.

The work to install the cable that will connect us to the National Grid is making good progress.

This picture shows Duke Street adjacent to the cenotaph - looking towards Settle.

We are SO excited!

The screw will be delivered and installed on Wednesday 28th November. It should arrive between 8.30am and 9.30am. You are very welcome to come and witness this exciting event but we would ask you to view it from the opposite bank. The hydro site is very small and for health & safety reasons we cannot allow people on the site during the unloading and installation.

Ann & I will be present on the day, so if you have any questions, please seek us out and we will be very happy to have a chat.

We are also pleased to announce that we have just been told that we have been successful in our bid for a grant from LEADER. This will provide us with funds to enable us to provide the finishing touches to the scheme which will greatly enhance the schemes educational value and visitor impact. More about this in a later blog ....

20th October 2009

The following are a few photographs that show the contractors installing the ducting that will carry the cable that will connect Settle Hydro to the National Grid. A cable will be laid from the Powerhouse to a connection box at Bridge End Mill. This box can be seen in the photographs. A duct has been laid under the Langcliffe Road and the trench is being excavated to take the cable to the Grid connection point in Duke Street.

16th October 2009

There has been some really good progress over the past 7 days.

A stone outer wall is being built around the Powerhouse. This will ensure that the Powerhouse appearance is in-keeping with the Mill and other local buildings. Insulation is being inserted in the wall cavity to act as sound insulation.

The lower slab that was cast last week has now set.

Earlier today the side walls were cast. They can be seen in the picture below encased in shuttering.

A substantial temporary dam is still in place to stop the river from flooding the lower part of the screw trench.

This picture shows the wall which the EA belatedly insisted that we build.

You can see that as a result of a few fine days there is currently very little water flowing over the weir.

Contractors will be starting work next week to install the cable that will eventually connect the hydro to the grid. The connection point is about 200m from the scheme. The work will involve digging a long trench and is expected to take about 1wk (weather permitting)

Not long now until the Archimedean Screw is delivered - we are all getting very excited!!