Goring & Streatley Hydro-Power Project
SERCC is the Regional organisation for the eight Rural Community Action Charities in the SE. We support Rural Communities to address sustainability issues by offering advice on reducing CO2 emissions, Energy Audits for Community Buildings, the set up of Community Shops and Farmers Markets selling local produce, Community Transport and ECO friendly Affordable Housing.
One of the key vehicles for addressing the sustainability agenda is the Community Led Plan. Streatley in Berkshire and Goring on Thames in Oxfordshire have both completed a Community Led Plan, supported by Community Action West Berkshire and Oxfordshire Rural Community Council and although they are in different counties, an outcome of the consultation process was the set up of a joint Sustainability Group to bring about local action to combat the greenhouse effect and conserve resources.
One of the projects that the Goring & Streatley Sustainability Group is working on is the Goring Gap Hydro-Electricity Scheme which aims to produce over 200KW of clean, sustainable electricity for the benefit of the local community, saving over 500 tonnes of CO2 per annum. The key aspects of this project are as follows:
• Utilises low maintenance, highly efficient, ‘intermediate technology’ Archimedes Spirals to generate electricity from the flow of the river Thames
• Expected operational life to exceed 50 years
• Reproducible on all rivers with weirs the length and breadth of the UK
• Zero CO2 emissions produced following the manufacture, transportation and installation of the original equipment
• The electricity generated will be connected to the National Grid and local businesses which are located in close proximity
• Income from the scheme will be ploughed back into the community via the parish councils and directly into other sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives meaning that -
• Reduction in CO2 emissions will accrue at an accelerated rate over the life of the scheme
This project will utilise high efficiency, low maintenance, 'intermediate technology’ Archimedes Spirals. Archimedes screws have been deployed for millennia to pump fluids uphill, but only in the past ten years or so for generating energy as a turbine (working in reverse). Archimedes Spirals have the following advantages:
• Relatively cheap to build
• Simple to install
• No need to clean
• Simple controls
• Low maintenance with just two bearings
• Efficient over a wide range of flows and weir heights
• Approved by the Environment Agency as they allow fish and eels safe passage
On rivers such as the Thames, with sizeable fish and eel populations, these devices are ideal as fish and eels simply swim through the spirals without harm. Local support has been very positive for this scheme that will cost in excess of £1 million. Further details on the project
Contact Email:
Organisation:
SERCC - the South East Rural Community Councils
Funding Details:
The Goring & Streatley Sustainability Group is working with the Environment Agency and has received grant funding from Goring & Streatley Parish Councils, South Oxon District Council, Chilterns SDF and North Wessex Downs SDF to commission the two studies. Funding will be achieved through UK and EU Grants, philanthropic contributions and local share issue.
Status:
In progress - Feasibility and Outline Design Studies are complete. Environmental Survey to begin shortly.
Website relating to case study:
http://www.gssg.org.uk/page/Hydro-electric+Generation
Organisation’s website:
http://www.sercc.org.uk, http://www.ccberks.co.uk, http://www.oxonrcc.org.uk
Keywords relating to this case study:
Hydro-power generation; sustainable energy; community scheme; Archimedes Spiral; Archimedes Screw; CO2; intermediate technology, Communities
South East groups case study relates to:
Communities
