Settle Hydro

End July 2010 - Update

2010-08-05T10:56:00.000+01:00

Following the rainy spell in the middle of July there was sufficient water in the river for us to generate on 12 days out of 31

In total, we generated 5432 kWh of which 13% was supplied to Bridge End Mill and 87% was supplied to the Grid.

The Hydro site continues to attract many visitors from all over the country - a planned 5 minute site visit to check that everything is OK can easily extend to 2 hours spent answering questions and showing visitors around the Power House!

The recent share offer has attracted some new members and raised some very welcome funds. We have decided to keep the share offer open until the end of the year and so if you would like to become a partner in this fantastic project then please download an Application Form from our website (http://www.settlehydro.org.uk/)

Incidentally, did you know that you can now view the hydro over the internet - just follow the link on our website for up-to-the-minute shots of the screw, weir and inlet channel. You can also see whether we are currently generating and how much we have generated to date.

What do we do with all the trophies we have won over the past few months? With the kind permission of Craven District Council, we have put them on display in one of the windows of Settle Town Hall along with some information on the project.

2010 Yorkshire Rural Awards

2010-05-14T22:46:00.000+01:00

We are very proud and honoured that Settle Hydro has received a second prestigious award.

Last night (13th May 2010) at the 2010 Yorkshire Rural Awards held at The Pavilions of Harrogate, we won the Green Business Award. The award was presented by John Craven of BBC Countryfile fame.

From left to right we have Chris I'Anson (shareholder, business advisor and great supporter)), John Craven (not as much sex appeal as Julia Bradbury!), Ann Harding (Director and Chief Rain Dancer!), Sue (my lovely new wife of 4 wks) and me (wonky bow tie and all!)

Nominations for the awards had been received from all over rural Yorkshire and had been judged by Sir Thomas Ingleby (Ripley Castle), Keith Maudley (The Yorkshire Society), Paul Theakston (Black Sheep Brewery), Robert Flanagan (Country Publications Ltd), Paul Jackson (Editor, Dalesman) and Gary Verity (Welcome to Yorkshire).

Our Award

Oue Plaque

Update - 6th March 2010

2010-03-06T11:51:00.000Z

As of the End February 2010 we have generated approx. 12000kWh.

This is below our forecast due to the exceptionally dry couple of months we have experienced (resulting in very low river flows). Hopefully we will have more rain over the next couple of months!

Once a minute we are monitoring and recording the river level (Head) and the power being generated. The information enables us to check that we are operating within the parameters set by the Environment Agency and also provides us with useful data regarding the relationship between river flow and generated power. An example of the graphs we can produce is shown below:

When the river level has allowed us to generate, the plant has performed very well with no problems.

We will shortly be starting on the projects funded by LEADER. We will be installing webcams and remote monitoring of the site's performance. This means that you will be able to view the current and historical performance of the scheme over the web. We will also be paving the viewing area and installing information boards for the benefit of the many visitors we get to the site.

Yesterday we had a meeting with the Environment Agency Fishery Expert. He is going to help us develop an information board that will explain the Salmon and Sea Trout migration in the Ribble.

Settle Hydro win 2010 Yorkshire Post Community Environment Award - 4th March 2010

2010-03-06T11:20:00.002Z

GREAT NEWS

At a Celebratory Dinner held in Leeds on Thursday 4th March 2010, Settle Hydro were presented with a trophy as winners of the 2010 Yorkshire Post Community Environmental Award. The evening was hosted by Julia Bradbury (of BBC Countryfile fame) and the awards were presented by Rt Hon Hilary Benn (MP for Leeds Central and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

Click hear to view a Video of Awards Ceremony

The Yorkshire Post will shortly be publishing a supplement containing details of the awards and loads of photographs taken during the evening.

Ann and Steve proudly holding the coveted Award

Ann & Steve with Sue (Steve's partner) and Chris I'Anson (a shareholder and someone who has given us a great deal of support and assistance throughout the project)

Ann & Chris enjoying the Celebratory Dinner

Steve & Sue awaiting the announcement of the results.

18th January 2010 - Visitors from West Africa

2010-02-01T10:10:00.000Z

Ann & I showed some visitors from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso around the hydro.

The visitors were guests of the Settle Rotary Club and are all involved in the water industry in their home countries.

16th January 2010 - The thaw arrives!

2010-02-01T10:04:00.001Z

The thaw finally came on 16th January 2010.

The pictures below show how the river was transformed within a matter of hours.

I don't think there will be many salmon trying to negotiate the fish pass today!

The river overflowed into the viewing area!

15th January 2010

2010-01-15T14:58:00.000Z

With all the snow and freezing conditions, the river level has been as low as we would normally see in the middle of a summer drought. As a consequence, we have not been able to generate any electricity for the past couple of weeks or complete the commissioning process we started before Christmas.

As I write this blog, it has started raining down in Settle and so hopefully the thaw is starting and we will soon have more water in the river. Before we are able to recommence turning the screw we will need to recalibrate the river level sensor and demonstrate it's effectiveness to the Environment Agency. This work is scheduled for next Thursday & Friday (21st & 22nd January).

Julian Smith, our local Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate, visited the site this morning - see the pictures below. Although the screw wasn't turning, we were able top give Julian a short tour and talked through the challenges and frustrations of implementing such a scheme.

Julian Smith & Ann

Julian Smith & Steve

26th December 2009

2009-12-27T16:32:00.000Z

No pictures today - but at last the snow is starting to melt, the river level is rising and we are generating electricity.

Spotted a very large salmon (Over 2ft long) in the inlet channel. It has presumably found it's way up the fish ladder and then had been sucked into the inlet channel when we turned the hydro on. The salmon stayed for about 5 minutes and then swam back into the river and made it's way upstream to the spawning grounds.

Also saw a kingfisher!

It's amazing how much rubbish we are having to drag off the inlet screen. We would expect there to be branches etc but who is throwing in the hub caps, paint tins, drain pipe and Cagoule that we have retrieved?

22nd December 2009

2009-12-22T16:36:00.000Z

We've been down on site today to witness the final part of the commissioning programme and to receive training on the on-going maintenance requirements.

We are in the midst of the heaviest snowfall in Settle for many years and so conditions couldn't be more challenging!

The picture shows a marker that has been attached to the fishpass wall. This will enable us to visually monitor the level of water flowing down the fishpass and to ensure that it does not fall below the threshold specified by the Environment Agency.

A snowman looking after the bottle of champagne which will be cracked open to toast the future success of Settle Hydro.

Temporary dam being removed from the inlet screen to allow water to flow through the screw.

Manual sluice gate being opened to fill the inlet channel with water

Some final adjustments being made to the drive belts that link the gearbox to the generator

Debris being removed from the inlet screen. This will need to be done on a regular basis as part of the daily maintenance routine.

With the current level of water in the river, the weir almost dries up when water is diverted through the screw.

The flow of water through the fishpass is always maintained at a level which enables the fish to negotiate the ladder.

20th December 2009

2009-12-20T16:02:00.000Z

It's 'Snowtime'

Sue (Steve's partner) posing on the walkway

Get that man out of the way!!

The green wellies are actually quite fetching!

The river is quite low at the moment - but wait and see what happens when the snow melts!

An iceberg hovering around the Screw outlet!

16th December 2009

2009-12-16T15:56:00.000Z

The site is now fully, wheelchair accessible.

All the guards and railings are in place

It's looking really tidy!

Woodwork has been painted to match the Screw!

You can just about see the screw through the safety guards!

Steady flow of visitors already - even in the rain!

If all goes to plan we will be up and running on

23rd December

11th December 2009

2009-12-11T16:35:00.000Z

We are now in the final stages of the build.

This picture shows the grills that cover the inlet channel.

Access for maintenance will be through the gate which will be padlocked shut under normal conditions.

The galvanised railing that spans the inlet channel is fitted directly above the coarse screen (which will stop large debis from entering the screw).

A ladder has been bolted to the far side of the inlet channel to enable access into the channel for screen cleaning.

All the grills have been installed over the screw. These are, unfortunately, necessary for health & safety reasons.

A ventilated cowl has been fitted over the generator on the front face of the Powerhouse.

Stan and his men inspect the small sluice gate which will be fitted in the inlet channel to control the flow of water to the Waterwheel.

The almost finished hydro viewed from the far side of the river.

We are very pleased with how the hydro fits into the surrounding landscape - it looks as if it has always been there!

Just a few small jobs to be finished off before the final commissioning, training and handover on 23rd December.

3rd December 2009

2009-12-03T21:21:00.001Z

Stan and team have started to install the safety covers that will prevent anyone coming into contact with the screw.

The door to the Powerhouse is being given a coat of paint

The carpark has been surfaced with tarmac

These are some of the guards that will be fixed in place over the next few days.

Commencement of Geneneration is now scheduled for the week before Christmas. Before then, a few of us will be given some training on routine maintenance and fault finding.

19th November 2009

2009-11-19T15:37:00.000Z

This picture shows the Screw with the 'stop logs' removed

The roof of the Powerhouse is almost complete.

The end of the generator can be seen poking out the front of the Powerhouse. This will eventually be covered by a louvred metal shroud.

Still plenty of water coming down the Fish-Pass

The stone wall on the car-park side of the screw is almost finished

18th November 2009

2009-11-18T17:10:00.001Z

SCREW TURNS FOR THE FIRST TIME

We have been very busy commissioning the scheme this week and as part of this process the sluice gates were opened and water allowed to flow down the Screw and IT TURNED!!

The screw had been disconnected from the generator and so no electricity was generated - that's for another day.

You can see from the pictures below how high the river is following the recent heavy rain. These pictures were taken in the afternoon - apparently, this morning the river was about 18 inches higher.

The fish pass is submerged by the huge volume of water flowing down the river

The Stop Logs have been removed from the bottom of the Screw channel in readiness for the first trial.

Stan raises the sluice gate to let the water flow into the inlet channel

The Inlet Channel fills up with water

13th November 2009

2009-11-13T14:05:00.001Z

The Screw Trough is now grouted in position and the ties holding

the Screw to the trough have been removed. A Splash Guard has been fixed in position

on the left hand side.

The sides of the Screw Channel are being braced with RSJs.

The Splash Guard can be clearly seen in this picture

Switch Gear is being installed in the Powerhouse.

The Distribution Board on the left will supply the power for the

socket outlets and lighting within the Powerhouse.

The meter that will record the amount of power generated by the scheme

can be seen to the right of the Distribution Board.

Below and to the right of the Meter is the Isolating switch which will isolate the incoming supply.

This picture shows the control panel for the generated electricity.

There will be a cable linking the panel to the generator. The componentry within the unit will

ensure that the generated voltage is of the correct frequency, voltage and power factor.

10th November 2009

2009-11-10T21:13:00.000Z

Roof has been built on the Powerhouse

and river-facing walls are almost complete.

Slates have been neatly stacked awaiting fixing

First slates are fixed to the roof

Automatic sluice gate has been installed

BBC Look North Reporter lines up a shots

Local bird life doesn't appear to have been disturbed

by all the construction work

28th October 2009 - SCREW INSTALLED TODAY

2009-10-28T18:17:00.010Z

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

2009-10-28T16:14:00.000Z

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

2009-10-25T10:11:00.001Z

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

2009-10-20T20:01:00.000+01:00

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

2009-10-16T17:39:00.001+01:00

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!!

9th October 2009

2009-10-09T17:59:00.000+01:00

I've just come back from 2 weeks holiday so it's great to see the progress that's been made.

All the work within the river bed has now been completed to the satisfaction of the Environment Agency. The trench for the screw has been 'pecked' out of the bed rock and a substantial temporary dam has been built to stop the river filling the trench.

The reinforcing steel work has been laid at the lower end of the trench ready for the concrete to be poured. This is the last slab that we need to cast.

The shuttering for the side walls is in place. Weather permitting, the walls will be cast next week.

In the picture below you can see the low wall protruding into the river. This is the wall that the Environment Agency belatedly insisted should be built in order to create a pool at the outflow of the screw and fish pass.

A concrete mixer arrived during our visit with the concrete for the last slab.

The digger was used to tip the concrete into the trench

The guys in the trench soon had the concrete level and the slab completed

We are expecting the screw to be delivered in about 2 wks time.

15th September 2009

2009-09-19T10:32:00.000+01:00

Following the recent few days of fine weather the river level has fallen such that work in the river bed can begin. This work needs to be completed before the fish start migrating up the river.

As part of our Environment Agency (EA) licence, we have agreed to do some work on the fish pass to improve it's effectiveness. We have removed a large amount of debris (Boulders etc.) that are restricting flow, and we will be enlarging the notches in the fish pass steps.

The picture below shows the dam that has been put in place to restrict the flow through the fish pass whilst the work is done.

The picture below shows the work being carried out at the bottom of the fish pass. The pool in the river bed is being deepened in order to make it more suitable for the fish. The wall that extends into the river (perpendicular to the river bank) will have to be removed to ensure that the outflow from the fish pass and the screw coincide.

The following pictures show the latest situation with the screw trench. The required angle and depth of screw ramp has been achieved. This ramp will be covered with reinforced concrete (next week - weather permitting!)

We have had a bit of a mini-crisis this week. The EA realised that they had overlooked a problem with river levels that would occur when the protruding wall is removed. On the basis that this problem would be detrimental to fish migration they insisted that we stop all work in the riverbed until a way forward was agreed. After many phonecalls, emails, site meetings it has been agreed that a new wall will be built (at the EA's expense) just downstream of the screw outflow. The wall will be built over this weekend (19th/20th Sept).

10th September 2009

2009-09-10T19:10:00.000+01:00

At last - a few days of fine weather!

There has been excellent progress with building the Power House this week. The inside walls are complete. The roof won't be added until the screw and control gear are installed.

We are taking advantage of the lower river level to do some work in the river. The river bed is being excavated at the outflow to provide the best possible topography for assisting the flow of water away from the screw.

The low wall in the river (bottom centre) which sits at the bottom of the fish-pass will eventually be removed in order to ensure that the outflows from the fish-pass and the screw are merged - apparently this will make it easier for the fish to find the fish-pass!

It is a condition of our Abstraction Licence that we do some work on the fish-pass. We will be clearing away some boulders that have accumulated in the fish-pass over many years and are compromising it's effectiveness, and we will be enlarging the 'notches' in the fish-pass to improve the flow through the pass. All this work is being done in close consultation with the Environment Agency. A temporary dam has been erected at the head of the fish-pass to stop the water flow such that the work can be performed.

The picture below shows the front of the Power House. The central shaft of the screw will enter the Power House through the 'window' in the front wall.

3rd September 2009

2009-09-03T18:51:00.000+01:00

Work has started on the construction of the Power House - the first few courses of blocks can be seen in the picture below. These blocks will form the inner walls - the outer walls will be natural stone to blend in with the nearby mill and stone walls.

In between the rain showers work has continued in 'pecking out' the rock to form the channel for the screw. It's proving to be a slow job!

The volume of water cascading over the weir is amazing. We are hoping that the flow will slow down shortly as it will be necessary to excavate some of the river bed.

The contractors have had a bit of a move around. The site office and generator have been repositioned close to the Power House

20th August 2009

2009-08-28T11:30:00.001+01:00

The concrete slab on which the Power House will be built will span the walls that can be seen in this picture.

The Screw trench has been extended to the edge of the river. Bed rock has been reached and so further excavation is going to be a noisy process!

On target for delivery of screw by mid September and commencement of electricity generation by end October.

The team have been giving some time to think about how we can maximise the educational and visitor attraction value of the scheme once we are operational. A number of initiatives are being investigated and costed and a funding application being prepared

We hope to install a number of webcams that will enable us to show the operation of the screw on our website. The webcams will also provide us with a remote monitoring facility that will enable us to readily check that every thing is operating as it should.

We are planning to install equipment that will enable us to display the amount of electricity being generated at that point in time and the total number of kWh generated to date.

An Information Board and leaflets will be designed and produced to explain how the scheme works and to highlight other aspects of the site such as the old mill and waterwheel and the fish pass.

8th August 2009

2009-08-28T11:08:00.000+01:00

The reinforced concrete walls of the inflow channel have now been completed and excavation of the trench that will house the Screw has started.

This reinforcing mesh laid on the ground indicates where the trench for the screw will be excavated.

Helen & Richard (from LMC) survey the work

The trench will enter the river just to the left of where Helen and Richard are standing

16th July 2009

2009-07-18T11:03:00.000+01:00

There is plenty of flow (kWs!) over the weir following the recent heavy rain

Ann & Helen discuss progress with Richard of LMV (Lakeland Marine Construction)

On the left of the picture you can see the reinforcement being laid prior to pouring the next part of the inflow slab.

The large plastic pipes will allow water to be diverted along the old millrace

2nd July 2009

2009-07-04T11:16:00.000+01:00

Plastic piles and a concrete wall are being installed to stop water percolating through the soil of the island between the river and the channel that will feed the hydro.

Bottom picture features Settle Hydro Director, Ann Harding, surveying the work.

25th June 2009

2009-06-25T14:16:00.000+01:00

Hi, Steve here - that's me in the top picture!. Have just returned from a visit to the site. Work to date has concentrated on excavating the millrace immediately after the incoming sluice gate - see 2nd picture. It's wet work!

18th June 2009

2009-06-18T12:52:00.001+01:00

Settle Hydro is GO!

Work started today on-site at Settle Weir.