Hydro Project

RE-INVENTING THE (WATER) WHEEL

Friends of the Peak District Hydro Project - making the best use of the Peak's plentiful water supply. With climate change becoming a daily item of news and political discussion and the Government’s review of energy policy, the time seems right to undertake the Friends first project supporting renewable energy – the Peak District Hydropower Survey.

This aims to survey the best places in the National Park for installing small-scale, hydro-electric power schemes which can contribute to local electricity needs. Initial scoping studies revealed the potential extent for water power in the area, often based on old mill infrastructure – thus preventing possible damage to watercourses which new works could cause, After a very positive response from local Parish Councils, we then approached the National Park’s Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) Panel to raise enough money to support a six-month survey and awareness-raising project. This would involve specialist renewable energy consultants, T4Sustainability advising on technical aspects of the project.

The SDF Panel agreed to support the project offering most (around £15,000) of the money needed and we are currently seeking a top-up grant of some £5000 from the East Midlands Community Renewables Initiative, funded by Natural England and hopes t begin the project in earnest soon.

Although previous studies have identified major, potential hydro-power sites in the Peak, often already occupied by well-known mill developments such as at Cressbrook or Litton, the Friends project hopes to look at smaller, low-impact schemes which are suitable for lower flow sites. These may involve resurrecting water wheel technology, which has generally fallen out of favour for modern hydropower in comparison to turbine-driven solutions. However, turbines can only work at fairly high flow rates which either involve larger rivers or greater drop in height of water between gathering point and the turbine (so called ‘high head’ schemes). Water wheels are now coming back into fashion with newly-engineered designs and they have potential value in allowing former historic wheel sites to be restored.

Finally the project aims to raise awareness with local communities and landowners of both hydro and other types of renewable energy sources which can be accommodated sensitively in a National Park landscape. Interactive roadshows will take out the message in the Park and a popular report will be distributed widely to encourage action on the ground.

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THERE’S AN OLD MILL BY THE STREAM…

An ancient corn-grinding mill in the picturesque village of Alport, near Bakewell, could be the site for a new mini-hydroelectric plant – capable of supplying power to 70 per cent of the village.

The Haddon Estate is working with Derwent Hydro, a specialist mini-hydro engineering company, on plans to convert the mill into a mini power station powered by the rushing waters of the River Lathkill.

The original waterwheel and related shafts and gearing which are still in situ are listed structures, while the existing millpond, tailrace channel, main weir and fish weirs, according to the Estate, “constitute an excellent opportunity for exploiting water power at the site using modern machinery.”

The plans being submitted by the Estate for a Low Carbon Building Grant protect the important fishing habitat provided by the river, which is also managed by the Estate. A fine-mesh screen will exclude fish from the turbine inlet.

“The proposed scheme is intended to restore the use of water power at a historic mill in order to generate ‘clean’ electricity from the waters of the River Lathkill,” says the Estate. “It will be designed to ensure that the habitats around the mill will be maintained, while making a major contribution to reducing the environmental footprint of Alport village.”

The innovative scheme has won the support of Friends of the Peak District. Andy Tickle, Head of Planning and Campaigning for FDP, commented: “Although we have yet to see a full proposal come forward, the current plans are in full accord with our 'Positive Energy' future vision for the Peak District – so hats off to Haddon!”

Picture top left: Cressbrook Mill