Member Article

Archimedes screws lifted into place at hydroelectric turbine

Garnett Wharfe, a pioneering David Wilson Homes development regenerating a derelict paper mill site in Otley, has seen the installation of two 10 metre long Archimedes screws as part of work on its brand new hydroelectric turbine, which will make the development carbon neutral on an offset basis.

The two screws, which are the length of a single-decker bus and almost twice as wide, were transported to site overnight to minimise disruption due to their vast size, and lifted into place via a large 15m long by 3m wide crane the following day, which operated with a 40m long boom capable of lifting a total of 25 tonnes.

The newly installed Archimedes screws will function by allowing water from the weir to pass through the top of the screw, with the weight of the water pushing on and forcing downwards a helical flight, in turn allowing the water to fall to the lower level and causing the screw to rotate - this rotational energy will then be extracted by an electrical generator connected to the main shaft of the screw. The preliminary figures indicate that the twin screws could generate up to 1,300 Mega Watt Hours per annum, enough to provide energy to roughly 300 UK homes over the course of a year. Garnett Wharfe will provide 237 homes once completed.

Work on the new turbine initially commenced in November 2015 and the latest phase, which is being managed by Eric Wright Civil Engineering and Lowwood Products, builds on the recent installation of a sheet-piling cofferdam around the working area to keep out the river. The project is expected to be completed later this year, with the next steps comprising of completing the build, before progressing to install the necessary electrical equipment, connect to the grid electricity and remove the cofferdams, which will see the plant aiming to be commissioned in September.

Dave Hudson, Technical Director at David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West, commented: “The lifting of the Archimedes screws into place at Garnett Wharfe is a hugely momentous step in the installation process of the hydroelectric turbine. The work at the development is providing a new blueprint for the regeneration of brownfield land and there is no other new build development in Yorkshire that is harnessing the power of natural energy resources in this way.

“We’re very proud of the work we’re putting in to ensure the site is carbon neutral on an offset basis. As well as homes, Garnett Wharfe will include offices, a visitor centre and a much loved local restaurant, Buon Apps, building on facilities within the community of Otley.”

Garnett Wharfe is a beautiful collection of two, three, four and five bedroom homes set along the southern side of the river Wharfe, located in a truly picturesque setting. Prices start at £209,995.

Garnett Wharf has received investment through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) economic development loan fund. The fund is available to support capital projects, focusing particularly on infrastructure.

For more information on David Wilson Homes, please visit: www.dwh.co.u

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .