15 Nov, 2012 By Mary
Linton Lock Hydropower

A recent hydropower scheme that we commissioned  is up and running and is situated at Linton Lock on the River Ouse between York and Harrogate. The Archimedean screw is particularly suitable for locations like Linton Lock, which is on an important salmon river and popular with fishermen, as it’s an exceptionally fish-friendly method of generating power.

On route to Linton Lock

An Open Compact Archimedean Screw was designed for this project. An Open Compact is a self-supporting U-shaped steel construction minimising necessary civil work on site. The generator unit is an integral part of the construction, easily accessible via a weatherproof, hinged generator cover.

The length and diameter of an Archimedean Screw will be dictated by the parameters of the particular site and are finished in the colour of your choice. All Archimedean Screws are manufactured as bespoke installations.

The Weir at Linton Lock

Rated at 100 kilowatts the hydro turbine is predicted to save in excess of 226 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) annually. The predicted annual output is 525,600 kilowatt-hours. To put this in perspective, an average household uses less than 5,000 kilowatt-hours per year, so this hydro scheme has the potential to power more than 100 houses in the locality.

The Sluice Gate

Mann Power Consulting Ltd., the UK based Archimedean Screw specialists designed the equipment for the Linton Lock project and it  was manufactured by Landustrie based in Holland.

The installed Archimedean Screw

In comparison with most turbines the Archimedean hydropower screw makes use of an open construction and a low rotational speed. This results in a natural flow and there is no pressure build up in the entire installation. Furthermore extensive testing shows that due to the size of water chambers and the fact that there is no pressure difference fish will pass through unharmed. The Landy hydropower screw makes use of a specially designed inlet and outlet that make the screw absolutely fish friendly. The water outlet is designed in such a way for the water (and fish) to smoothly exit the screw without splashing. This also reduces the noise that water creates.

 All photographs copyright of  Eco Evolution.

 

 

 

12 Oct, 2012 By Mary
Practical On-farm Renewable Energy event at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus

Following on from its success in 2011, the “Practical On-farm Renewable Energy” event will be held once again on Tuesday 30 October 2012 at Greenmount Campus. DARD has again joined forces with the UFU, and AFBI to provide practical information for farmers and the rural sector about the various renewable energy options available for their businesses. The follow-up event at CAFRE’s Enniskillen Campus will also be held in February 2013.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy

There will be a series of seminars throughout the day highlighting local case studies of the main renewable energy technologies; wind power, biomass production and utilisation, biogas production, solar hot water and PV, micro-hydro and heat pumps. A second series of seminars will deal with many of issues facing those considering installing a green energy source. Topics covered will include the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), grid connection, planning, NI Renewable Obligation Certificates (NIROC’s), marketing NIROC’s as well as finance, business planning and funding options.

In addition, there will be a Trade Exhibition and the opportunity to tour the renewable energy installations at Greenmount Campus. If you are interested in exhibiting in the trade stand area please contact CAFRE at technology.admin@dardni.gov.uk or telephone 028 9442 6770. As space is limited it will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

The event will run from 11.00am until 9.00pm in the evening. For further details contact David Trimble at 028 9442 6682 or david.trimble@dardni.gov.uk.

Direction to the exhibition can be found at the following link:  http://www.cafre.ac.uk/index/campus-locations.htm

Timetable of seminars and tours: Seminars & Tours Leaflet

We look forward to meeting you at the show.

We offer a friendly one-stop shop for hydro development, from feasibility studies to licensing, to installation and commissioning and everything in between!

 

 

7 Oct, 2012 By Mary
A Sneek Preview!

Just back from yet another very interesting factory visit. This time it was to visit Landustrie, one of the leading screw pump and screw generator manufacturers whose headquarters are in Sneek, The Netherlands.

Landustrie factory, Sneek, The Netherlands

For nearly a century Landustrie has designed, manufactured, supplied, erected and maintained many types of screw pump. Since the early eighties Landustrie has developed a fully automated selection program in order to select the optimum screw for a particular application. This program is based on a large number of tests, with a large number of variables, in the Landustrie test factory. In addition, Landustrie have developed specific pump knowledge, which is continously updated by means of R&D and the latest technologies and is the only manufacturer of screws using Finite Element Analysis methods.

Frank on visit to Landustrie

The newest range of the Landustrie products covers the worldwide hydropower market. Creating renewable energy with a reliable, fish-friendly and durable hydropower screw. The Archimedean screw was introduced as a high efficient pump. Due to the low turning speed, the life time of the screw can be expected to be at least 30 years and barely needs maintenance nor cleaning. The hydropower screw turns the principle of pumping around, maintaining the advantages and generating energy using the falling water to drive the screw.

Archimedean screw with an eco-friendly lower bearing

In comparison with most turbines the Archimedean hydropower screw makes use of an open construction and a low rotational speed. This results in a natural flow and there is no pressure build up in the entire installation. Furthermore extensive testing shows that due to the size of water chambers and the fact that there is no pressure differences fish will pass through unharmed. The Landy hydropower screw makes use of a specially designed inlet and outlet that makes the screw absolutely fish friendly. The water outlet is designed in such a way for the water (and fish) to smoothly exit the screw without splashing. This also reduces the noise that water creates.

Landy screw pump

The Landy hydropower screw is a profitable source of income and entirely environmental friendly, once you possess the water rights of a flow. The Landy hydropower screw can be used in places or areas with a fall (head) of 1m to 10m and a flow from 100l/s to 15,000l/s.

There are several examples of sites and areas around the country suitable for a hydropower screw e.g.

  • Rivers and streams
  • In an existing spillway, lock or in a weir system
  • Old Mill sites
  • (Waste) Water treatment inlets/outlets
  • To replace inefficient existing generators
  • Anywhere that water is available at a higher level

All photographs copyright of Eco Evolution.

24 Jul, 2012 By Mary
Better Energy Communities Pilot 2012 – Open for Applications

This is an exciting new pilot programme that SEAI is delighted to launch in order to stimulate the delivery of innovative energy efficiency projects in communities and other areas.

Energy efficiency

The Better Energy Programme is Ireland’s national upgrade programme to retrofit our building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency, there by reducing fossil fuel use, running costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The purpose of this call is to support and pilot innovative delivery approaches at a community level. With a fund of €3M, the pilot projects will test new approaches to achieving high quality and efficient delivery of improvements in energy efficiency within Irish communities.

This call, in supporting pilot projects at a community level, is specifically seeking to test innovative and pioneering partnerships for delivery between for example, the public and private sectors, domestic and non-domestic sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations. Other solutions to delivering energy savings within a community that leverage existing resources are also invited.

The call is open to

  • Participating Energy Suppliers
  • Public sector, including local authorities
  • Community-based organisations (CBOs) that have an established service for delivering the required measures; or other community type organisations.
  • Private sector
  • Voluntary organisations

A grant application can also be made by a nominated project co-ordinator, such co-ordination may be by an energy supply company or their designated delivery partner acting in partial fulfilment of its energy saving target.

Individual organisations and co-ordinators are permitted to submit several different applications for support but projects should be bundled where appropriate.

Eligible ptojects

The call is open to projects and related initiatives in the community spanning multiple sectors and focusing on energy efficiency in buildings, business, facilities and transport sectors, and allowing for additional installation of integrated renewable energy technologies and infrastructure.

Eligible Measures.

Eligible measures will prioritise energy efficiency retrofits and can include elements of renewable energy where appropriate. Measures proposed should demonstrate how they will deliver the Community concept in the wider community, social and policy structures.

Level of support available

A fund of €3m is available for allocation to projects on a competitive basis, for investment actions comprising individual or packaged measures, aimed at achieving on-going and lasting energy savings.

Grant support is available for qualifying projects and the level of funding will be related to the innovation in terms of delivery, technology and energy savings proposed under the project. Funding will be allocated based on an assessment of each individual project application, considered against the evaluation criteria outlined and taking account of other sources of funding leveraged.

Eligible costs

The eligible costs are the direct costs incurred in the delivery of the project.

  • Purchase of plant, machinery or equipment in the product/ technology categories listed on the ‘Triple E’ register
  • VAT associated if it is not reclaimable

Non Eligible Costs

  •  Any costs not directly related to improving sustainable energy performance through the proposed project
  • Ongoing monitoring costs
  • Internal staff costs
  • Any costs to bring process or facilities up to standards required
  • Any costs that are incurred prior to formal grant approval – no matter what they relate to – are ineligible and will not be paid.

 

For further information see the following links:

Better Energy Communities – 2012 Application Guide.pdf (size 280 KB)

Better Energy Communities Pilot Application Form.pdf (size 166.4 KB)

Or alternatively if you have a project in mind which you think might be suitable please contact Paula Butler who is the  main contact person in SEAI and can be contacted at paula.butler@seai.ie or 01 8082094.

Closing date for applications is 14th September 2012.

13 Jul, 2012 By Mary
The Old Mill Wheel
The Old Mill Wheel
The Old Mill Wheel

The Old Mill Wheel

The old mill-wheel, it turns, it turns
Throughout the livelong day,
And flings the current of the stream,
Abroad in glist’ning spray:
That old, black wheel has turn’d for years,
Beside the mossy mill,
That stands, like some old, sacred thing,
Beneath the clay-red hill.

The old mill-wheel, it turns, it turns
Like time’s unresting one,
Which day and night, and night and day,
Hath never ceased to run:
The old mill-wheel, an emblem true,
Of Time that ne’er stands still,
I love to see it turning so,
Beside the mossy mill.

The old mill-wheel, it turns, it turns,
As in my childhood’s hour;–
As when I bathed beneath its rim,
In its refreshing shower:
But they who were my comrades then,
Are sleeping on the hill,
And now, to them, forever now,
The old Mill-wheel stands still.

Author: James Avis Bartley

Old Paper Mill in Antrim that once had three waterwheels.

All photographs copyright of Eco Evolution.

 

 

 

6 Jul, 2012 By Mary
Germany Sets a New Solar Power Record – 14.7 Terawatt-Hours in 6 months

Germany has set yet another impressive record for solar power consumption! As solar power usage in Germany has  increased by 50% since last year, the country’s solar resources have pulled in a  phenomenal 14.7 terawatt-hours in the first six months of 2012 alone, which  amounts to 4.5 % of Germany’s power needs.

Solarpv panels on German homes

In 2011, Germany’s photovoltaic power reached just 19 Twh for the entire year,  5 Twh shy of productions during the first six months of 2012. The ambitious  spike in solar power consumption is thanks to a boom in solar systems being  installed across the country, with more being constructed each day.

Residential Solarpv installation

In just four months, the Germans have installed an additional 73,756 solar power  systems across the German countryside, with more sprouting up each week.  Combined, the new systems have an output of 2,328 megawatts. German homes and businesses already are responsible for 1.2 million  working photovoltaic plants, which have been installed over the past few years  with no incentives other than clean energy.

Solarpv array

In 2012, Germany will have reached a total of 28 GW of solar power capacity, which far exceeds other countries of  its size. With Germany’s lead, solar energy will reign in as the third largest  source of renewable energy, and possibly push past wind power and biogas should  other countries take lead and follow suit.

 Source: Clean Technica

 

15 Jun, 2012 By Mary
Green Technology Powers Iconic Historic Inn

Three Evance R9000 5kW wind turbines and a substantial battery backup system have been installed at the 500-year-old Kirkstone Pass Inn in the Lake District National Park by microgeneration experts Evance. The Inn is believed to be linked to an ancient 15th Century monastery, records for this building date back to 1496AD.

The Kirkstone Pass Inn. Photo by David Hall.

The Inn being off-Grid was in its ancient past candle lit with open fires. It had relied in modern times entirely on expensive  diesel generators for all electrical power resulting in diesel bills last year totalling some £25,000. With the Evance small wind turbines the owner can now take advantage of the Inn’s remote location at the picturesque summit of the Cumbrian Kirkstone Pass and harness the power of the wind.

Looking back to the Kirkstone Pass Inn. Photo by David Hall.

Owner John Jennings said “We simply had to look at alternative power sources or face inevitable closure. Although we are in a remote location, we wanted a solution appropriate for use within a National Park and one that would let us generate electricity in a more environmentally-friendly way. Using the energy generated by Evance’s turbines we are committed to cutting our diesel bills by at least 75%. I’ve been pleasantly surprised that the majority of visitors haven’t even noticed the turbines until they have been pointed out! New green technology powering an iconic historic inn is proving to be an interesting talking point at the bar.

Three Evance R9000 5kW windturbines installed at Kirkstone Pass Inn

Diesel generators produce a lot of carbon waste, as well as being noisy, so generating power using the turbines will dramatically reduce the use of diesel. The turbines alone will reduce the Inns’ CO2 emissions by over 22 tonnes per  year supporting a low-carbon Lake District.

Kevin Parslow, CEO of Evance Wind Turbines said “We’re delighted that the Inn, like so many other remote rural businesses and homes chose the R9000 small wind turbines to deliver a clear financial and environmental improvement on their existing energy generating systems. It’s good to know that this historic inn will be there for visitors in the years to come.”

The Kirkstone Pass Inn for the first time in it’s 500+ year  history has Power Without Pollution!

Note: Eco Evolution are resellers and installers of the Evance 5kW R9000 windturbine in Ireland.

12 Jun, 2012 By Mary
Global Wind Day 2012!
Global wind day

Global Wind Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on 15 June. It is a day for discovering wind, its power and the possibilities it holds to change our world.

It is also a day for discovery of the work that has already begun by pioneers around the world. In more than 75 countries around the world, wind farms are in operation, generating energy from a clean and renewable source.

Thousands of individuals are involved in the production of energy from the wind, but for many people, wind energy is a mystery. Global Wind Day is the day when you can visit wind farms, meet experts, attend events and find out everything you want to know about wind energy.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA ) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC ) coordinate the Global Wind Day through a network of partners. The day started as a European one in 2007 and went Global in 2009. On 15 June, thousands of public events are organised all over the world.

Carnsore windfarm

How it all began:

The Wind Day was first held in 2007, as the European Wind Day organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). The main idea was to connect a network of partners as well as using centralised communication tools, press releases and distribution of gadgets and coordinate of event organised by national wind energy associations and companies active in the wind energy field. The Wind Day in 2007 reached 18 countries, with a participation of around 35,000 people. By 2008, the event’s reach extended to 20 European countries and attracted 100,000 people.

In 2009, EWEA joined forces with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and extended the reach from European associations and companies to coordinate Wind Day events across the globe. That year, the 300 events in 35 countries across the globe reached up to 1,000,000 people.

In 2010 and 2011, between 220 and 230 events took place in around 30 countries. Since 2009, Global Wind Day has reached more than 1,000,000 people plus the thousands of people engaging and supporting the event through online means such as social media.

Windfarm near Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford.

Global Wind Day sends the message across the world that wind energy is a key solution to the looming energy crisis – our over dependency on imported and finite fossil fuels – and the climate change crisis, and that it is already working. It helps people realise that wind energy is a popular and mainstream power technology.

Check out the Events map to find out about events near you.

Events organised around Ireland – Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA)

6 Jun, 2012 By Mary
Mills & Millers of Ireland Summer Event ~ Antrim 23 & 24 June 2012.

The Society for the Preservation of Ancient and Traditional Irish Mills

The Society of Mills and Millers of Ireland was launched in 2001 to encourage and assist in the preservation and appreciation of mills as part of our industrial, architectural and landscape heritage. There are hundreds of mills and mill sites spread across the country and while many are beautifully refurbished or put to good use, there are also many others which could be restored or renovated while preserving their traditional context. The society aims to promote interest and awareness in this aspect of Ireland’s industrial heritage by building up knowledge and expertise in areas such as law, architecture, renewable energy and manufacturing and making information available through publications, lectures and events.

This years Summer event in the lovely countryside of County Antrim will include a visit to the mill at Newmills, a visit to Shane’s Castle Hydro scheme, Riverdale Mill and the ruins of a paper mill at Randalstown. Details of events below.

Meeting place

The Barn, 30 Burnside Road, Dunadry, Co Antrim BT41 2HZ (Bert & Evleen). Directions can be found here.

 

Shane’s Castle Archimedes Screw Installation

Day 1 Saturday 23 June

10.30am Registration – Tea / Coffee & Scones
11.00am Programme for today – Bert Kennedy
11.30am Visit to Mill at Newmills – owned by Barbara & Des – short talk by Des on the history of Mill and their story so far.

01.00pm Lunch at Clotworthy House in Antrim Castle Gardens including short Tour, talk on local history and visit to the gardens.

02.30pm Visit to Shanes Castle, Randalstown – short talk by Shane O’Neill (son of Lord O’Neill, on Archimedes Screw installation (supplied by MMOI Members – Frank / Mary Gethings – Eco Evolution)
03.30pm Travel 20 minutes to Riverdale Mill

04.30pm Visit to Riverdale Mill, Aghalee (covered Wheel) – tour and short talk by owner David Gilbert, on his story so far…..

Tea / Coffee & Scones
05.30pm Return to Hotel – Dunsilly Hotel

07.30pm Dinner – All (not included in Fee)

Clotworthy House in Antrim Castle Gardens

We have negotiated discount at the Dunsilly Hotel as follows: Single Room, Bed & Breakfast – £59.00 (normal price £79.00) / Twin Room, Bed & Breakfast – £69.00 (normal price £89.00). Please mention MMOI / speak to Laura.

Dunsilly Hotel, 20 Dunsilly Road, Antrim, BT41 2JH. Tel: 0044 (0) 28 9446 2929 Email: info@dunsillyhotel.com

Please do not hesitate to contact me on 07789082089, or email me – evelyn.kennedy@gmail.com, if you require any assistance, or further information.

Historical Paper Mill Randallstown

Day 2 Sunday 24 June 2012

11.00am Clotworthy House – Tea / Coffee & Scones (€5p/p)
12.30am Visit to ruins of an historical Paper Mill at Randalstown, (originally 3 waterwheels) – owned by Lee and Naomi – currently in the process of installing an Archimedes Screw – short talk on their story so far…

02.00pm End of Event

Should anyone require lunch, we have 3 hotels within 5 mins from the Barn – Templeton / Dunadry / Hilton – all serve Carvery (alternatives also available) between 12.00-2.00pm.

Fee for Saturday €25.00 / £23 Lunch & morning & afternoon refreshments. Please make your own overnight arrangements and let us know if you plan to stay for Sunday morning.

Download Booking Form Here

Old waterwheel before refurbishment