Council to install solar panels on 400 homes

Welwyn Hatfield Council to install solar panels on 400 homes

 

Welwyn Hatfield Council, Hertfordshire, has been nominated by heating contractor EAGA to pilot a scheme for the installation of photovoltaic panels on approximately 400 local council homes, depending on their suitability. This project adds to several other carbon reduction council initiatives across the country.

Each system is expected to save around 1,200kg of CO2 per household per year, which is approximately 30 tonnes per home across the 25-year lifetime of the system. Tenants will of course also save money on fuel bills through the country's feed-in tariff and reduced electricity payments.

The suitability of each house is expected to be judged on the roof orientation (preferably south facing) as well as whether it is strong enough to take the weight of the panels.

The cost of these systems will be entirely covered by financial backing provided by the UK Government. If successful, the scheme is likely to be extended to other suitable properties later this year – not just in Welwyn and Hatfield, but on a national scale. The panels will be installed by EAGA.

Councillor Roger Trigg, Executive Member for Housing said, "We are proud to start the New Year with such a positive and innovative scheme, which will mean real savings in our tenants' energy bills and their overall carbon footprint.

"We recognise how important it is for our tenants to manage the cost of keeping their homes warm and comfortable. Our homes have already been recognized as some of the most thermally efficient in the UK, and this strengthens our commitment to energy efficiency even further."

This is good news for residents of the area, who have been protesting since 2009 against a £220 million combined heat and power plant to be built on the New Barnfield site in Travellers Lane, South Hatfield. The controversial 270,000 tonne waste incinerator has caused rows over health risks including increasing levels of asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Read the full story

http://actonsolarpower.com/news_details.php?id=25

large-scale solar project planned in the South

Another large-scale solar project planned in the South

As we enter another month, another planning application is submitted for a utility-scale solar park. This time the location is Somerset; the application for the 10 acre park submitted to Taunton Deane Council this week.

The photovoltaic park will be built on the 10 acres of land located at Sandhill Park, neat Bishops Lydeard. The system will be made up of approximately 7,000 panels capable of generating around two million kilowatt hours of electricity - enough to power 600 homes - and offsetting some 130 tonnes of CO₂ a year.

Solar Power South spokesperson Mark Crosby says that recent consultation with people in Bishops Lydeard produced some very positive responses.

“The feedback we received from people who attended our recent planning exhibition was overwhelmingly supportive.

"I think most people understood that we have to take serious steps to secure our future energy needs and start meeting the UK’s renewable targets.

"Somerset has a nationally important role to play in meeting that objective,” Crosby concluded. 

 

http://actonsolarpower.com/news_details.php?id=24

Solar power at Glastonbury festival

Glastonbury: the festival of light

Situated on the Glastonbury festival farmland, Britain’s largest privately owned solar power plant is now fully operational. Conventionally home to residents of the furry variety, the 1,500m²cowshed roof will now feature a huge array of over 1,000 solar panels.

Solarsense UK, specialist in agricultural and industrial photovoltaic installations in the south west, has now competed the 200kW plant, featuring 1,116 Romag PV modules and two Sputnik Engineering SolarMax TS series central inverters, which were purchased from Sundog Energy, one of the leading British companies for renewable energy systems. The system is expected to yield 160.704kWh a year, enough to supply 40 households with energy and eliminate 100 tons of CO₂emissions every year.

"Our portfolio perfectly matches the individual segments of the important British photovoltaic market. That is why we are so pleased that this impressive project has also been fitted with SolarMax inverters,“ said Daniel Freudiger, General Manager of Sputnik Engineering International and Head of Sales & Marketing at the company's Swiss headquarters in Biel.

"We decided in favour of Sputnik Engineering for our inverters because of their high quality," explains Kerry Burns, General Manager of the company which operates the system, Solarsense UK. "Besides, the price/performance ratio of the devices and the plant monitoring convinced us as well.“ Solarsense installed the internet-based data logger MaxWeb xp which warns Burns and his employees by SMS in case of an error.

The solar plant is our figurehead,“ said Michael Eavis, the owner of the Worthy Farm and initiator of the Glastonbury Festival. "This has brought us one big step closer to our goal of operating the farm as ecologically as possible.”

Glastonbury is Europe’s largest open-air music festival, attended by roughly 200,000 guests from all over the world, and is held on Worthy Farm, in southern England.

 

http://actonsolarpower.com/news_details.php?id=23

Specifications

Power output	200.88kWp
Modules	1,116 Romag modules
Inverters	SolarMax 80TS and SolarMax 100TS
Inclination and orientation	Inclination 5°, South
Expected annual yield	160.704kWh
Commissioning	2 November 2010

Islington recieves 100th rooftop solar installation

Islington recieves 100th rooftop solar installation

The Climate Change Fund programme has now installed its 100^th solar photovoltaic system in Islington, London. The scheme, aimed at encouraging microgeneration and energy efficiency in homes in the area, is working towards cutting borough-wide CO₂ emissions by 15% by the end of 2011.

Funded by Islington Council and managed by carbon reduction company Sustain, the programme offers a grant to eligible householders for the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar hot water systems.

Marking the 100^th installation of this kind, Violet Allan, 96, from Holloway, will receive six solar panels which are expected to save more than £400 a year on her electricity bills through the Government’s feed-in tariff (FiT) and by utilising the renewable energy produced by her system instead of paying for it. 

Residents of the area can apply for the scheme; however the deadline of November 4 is fast approaching. Once all of the planned installations are complete the scheme is expected to have saved around 1,345 tonnes of CO₂ over the 25-year lifetime of the systems. This is equivalent to driving a car 233 times around the circumference of the earth.

Jim Wrigley, senior associate at Sustain, which is managing the systems said, “Islington Council is the only local authority running this sort of programme of this scale and it’s proving to be a huge success.

“It goes to show that the appetite for these technologies is there; it’s now about making sure the support and funding is in place for interested homeowners.

“We recognise that this is going to be more challenging in the light of spending cuts, but we urge the Government and local authorities to support householders through schemes that reduce their energy requirements.

“This will build the UK’s resilience to future fuel price increases, help combat climate change and help people out of fuel poverty.”

A huge range of solar systems have been funded through the Climate Change Fund for buildings ranging from Homes for Islington estates to schools and even a listed Victorian church.

Councillor Paul Smith, Islington Council's executive member for environment said, "We are determined to help residents in Islington escape fuel poverty.

"This solar power system will cut bills as well as helping the environment - its win-win.”

Sustain is working with Southern Solar, which designs, supplies and installs the systems. Southern Solar is an MCS accredited company which also helps customers apply for the UK’s feed-in tariff.

http://actonsolarpower.com/news_details.php?id=22

October solar figures curbed by Spending Review

October solar figures curbed by Spending Review

Since the introduction of the feed-in tariff in April this year there has been a strong upward trend in photovoltaic installation figures. As each month passed the figures increased, spiking in August with 3,642 (8.739MW) projects recorded. However, since last month was shrouded in so much uncertainty, due to the possibility of a feed-in tariff cut, the figures have dropped quite significantly.

According to the latest figures from Ofgem, during the month of October there were 508 domestic installations (1.413MW), 10 commercial installations (0.071MW), four (0.050MW) industrial installations and 30 (0.209MW) community installations making a total of just 548 (1.693MW) for the month. These figures are down quite considerably from2,339 (6.087MW) recorded in the previous month.

Despite the drop in projects, the regional trend remains constant. The south of the country is still dominating the amount of megawatts installed, with the South West and South East taking the top two positions with 1.097MW and 1.093MW respectively. As was seen in previous months, Yorkshire and the Humber is also up there, hitting third place with a total of 1.048MW.

Since the feed-in tariff survived last month’s Spending Review, we can expect figures to increase by quite noteworthy proportions next month as developers rush to get projects approved before any changes are made (expected decision in 2012). A large portion of the plants thought to be announced as we move into next year are anticipated to be utility scale, an expectation which has been reflected in recent news on the Solar Power Portal, such as the announcements of several 5MW plants.

Solar photovoltaic technology is however still the top renewable energy source installed in the country, with its 1.693 installed in October coming up against hydro at 0.079MW and wind at 0.234MW. These figures are also not biased for October as this trend is apparent since the introduction of the FiT with PV at 9.458MW, wind 1.035MW and hydro 0.409MW for the period April 1 – October 31.

http://actonsolarpower.com/news_details.php?id=20

Month	Total Installations	Installed Capacity (MW)
April 1-30	409	0.979
May 1-31	942	2.290
June 1-30	1,406	3.524
July 1-31	1,753	4.592
August 1- 31	3,642	8.739
September 1-30	2,339	6.087
October 1-31	548	1.693

 

 

Solar power FAQs

FAQs

FAQs

FAQs - freqently asked qestions about solar power

There is sufficient light, even on a cloudy day, for our solar panels to harvest the energy they need to generate electricity to power your home. In fact, we get so much diffuse solar radiation from our cloudy skies in the UK that we receive around 60% of the solar radiation found at the equator!
Accordingly, our panels will generate from sunrise to sunset. That means at the height of the British Summer you could get around 17 hours of free electricity every day.

Our solar panels work well in the winter even when the days are shortest. As soon as day breaks, the light is absorbed by the panels and they immediately start to generate electricity. The only thing that can inhibit the output from our panels is a snowfall that blocks the light, however, due to global warming this is a rare event of the British winter.

• What is Solar PV?

• Solar PV panels or modules are made up of specially coated Silicon cells. As light falls on these silicon cells electrons move around very quickly from one side of the silicon to the other which creates an electrical current. The more cells there are the more current is generated. When the right number of modules is linked together enough voltage is created to match the system voltage with the mains or the grid.

• How does PV work?

• Simply, the electricity generated by the PV panels is converted from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current) by an inverter and connected to your electrical unit. The electricity will go to wherever it is needed to power your household appliances. When there is more electricity being generated than is needed it will flow out through an export meter into the grid to be used by others. The meter records the exported electricity and the exported units can be sold to a number of electricity supply companies.

Solar Electric PV Systems in UK Solar Electric PV Systems work extremely well in the UK. Their performance increases significantly in cooler conditions, with efficiencies dropping markedly in hot countries are solar facts.

Modern PV systems perform well in cloudy conditions, absorbing Ultra Violet light from the sky. A PV System fitted on a flat roof will generate 90% of the energy generated by an ideally located system that is South facing and angled at 30º.

FAQs – Solar Wealth

• Can Solar PV panels add value to your property?

• Solar PV panels can add value to your home because to any potential buyer looking to purchase your home they will have gained from a installed system without the need to outlay the installation cost of the PV system and since the maintenance is virtually non existent the savings are self evident.

  A solar system adds value to your home while lowering your energy bills, as well as protecting you from increasing energy prices. Your home will receive several forms of financial benefits from the introduction of Solar Photovoltaic. You will receive electricity at no cost for at least 25 years, but with systems typically lasting 40 - 50 years, this can be considered as its saving. UK domestic electricity currently costs approximately 14 pence per unit, but is forecast to increase by up to 60% per unit in the next 10 years alone.

FAQs about Solar energy

• Why go solar?

• Because solar energy is clean and renewable. It is not lowers the cost of your electricity bills, but also reduces the negative impact on the environment. What’s more, photovoltaic (PV) modules have no moving or wearing parts, and require no maintenance other than an occasional cleaning.

• What are the benefits of solar power?

• PV technology brings many benefits. It’s a quiet, clean source of energy, is reliable requiring minimal maintenance, and lasts for decades. It is not only competitive with other sources of energy in terms of costs, but directly contributes to reduction in greenhouse gases. What’s more, it’s an affective back-up power source in case of emergencies.

• What are photovoltaics?

• Photovoltaic technology (PV) are solar cells system that convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV modules consist of semiconducting material that absorbs sunlight in a way that frees electrons from atoms. Electricity is produced as the electrons flow through the semiconducting material. A group of PV modules are typically combined in an array to generate electricity for a single structure. Large numbers can be combined to form a power plant.

• How do PV modules convert sunlight into electricity?

• It work by the photovoltaic phenomenon, in which semiconducting material such as silicon produce an electric current when exposed to sunlight. Metal contact on the top and bottom of the PV cell allow the current to be drawn off for external use.

• Are there any effects other than producing electricity?

• A heat shielding effect can be anticipated, with an associated reduction in air-conditioning load in the heat of summer.

• How are watts (W) different from watt hours (Wh)?

• Watts are units of power measured over one second. If one watt of electric power is used for one hour, the total volume of power consumed is expressed as one watt hour, or 1Wh. Similarly, 1,000 watts of power is expressed as one kilowatt (1kW) and 1,000 watt hours as one kilowatt hour (1kWh). If a 2kW system produces power continuously for five hours, the total volume of power generated is expressed as 10kWh.

• Do PV modules work on cloudy or rainy days?

• PV modules produce power anytime the sun is out. On cloudy days power output is considerably reduced.

• What happens if the PV module is blocked by leaves?

• If fallen leaves, shadows or the like cover a PV module, resistance increases at the affected area and overall power output decreases significantly. Many PV modules incorporate a Bypass Diode function that minimizes the effect of shadows on the unit’s surface area.
•  

• Does PV work well in cold weather?

• As photovoltaics generate electricity from light, not heat, PV technology is highly suitable for cold weather environments, on the whole even generating more power at lower temperatures. This is because they are electronic devices, and like all electronic devices operate more efficiently at cooler temperatures.

• Does the PV module surface require cleaning?

• In most residential areas no cleaning is necessary, as rainfall will remove the majority of grime.

http://actonsolarpower.com/faqs

Why Solar

About Solar energy.

Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available renewable energy on earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used.
Solar powered electrical generation relies on heat engines and photovoltaic. Solar energy's uses are limited only by human ingenuity. A partial list of solar applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable water via distillation and disinfection, daylighting, solar hot water, solar cooking, and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes.To harvest the solar energy, the most common way is to use solar panels.

A practical guide to solar panels.
With current interest rates and unstable utility energy prices, installing solar panels, currently represent one of the best investments, increasing your properties value and reducing your energy bills long term. This website is designed to educate people on the different solar technologies available for the UK climate.

What can solar panels do for you? 
In the crazy world of energy prices and the downturn of the economy, any way that you have to reduce your living expenses will help you get through the economic downturn. Using renewable energy such as solar power will be a great way to eliminate your energy and heating bills.

Benefits of solar energy

Reduce Pollution + Save Money  +  Free electricity. 

For the Environment - Environmental benefits

Environmental benefits include reduced fuel consumption and displacement of fossil fuels. Cut your carbon footprint: solar electricity is green, renewable energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants. A typical home PV system could save around 1200 kg of carbon dioxide per year - that's around 30 tonnes over its lifetime.

• Long lasting
• Reduced Energy bills
• Feed in Tariffs (FITs)
• Virtually no on going maintenance

When generating electricity PV systems produce no atmospheric emissions or greenhouse gases. Compared to fossil-generated electricity, each kilowatt of PV electricity annually offsets up to:

• 16 kilograms of nitrogen oxides
• 9 kilograms of sulphur oxides
• 2,300 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2)

The benefits of Solar PV

• Cut your electricity bills: sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be greatly reduced. A typical home PV system can produce around 40% - 50% of the electricity a household uses in a year.
• Sell electricity back to the Grid: if your system is producing more electricity than you need, or when you can't use it, someone else can use it - and you could make some money from it.

Eg.
A 4 kWp PV array installed in Berkshire will provide a cash payment of £1,376.00 and on top of the cash payment the 3,334 kWh generated from the PV system can be used for own use or be sold. All the cash payments paid from the feed-in tariff for the electricity generated from PV is tax free.

Payments are made for the actual amount of electricity generated from the PV solar array. Most suppliers will make payments each quarter by either a cheque or BACS which ever the customer requests.

The customer will be required to supply the energy supplier with a reading from the PV solar meter and the payment will be made to the customer based on the reading supplied. The energy company will also pay 3p per kWh for 50% of the generated electricity from the PV solar array based on the assumption that 50% has been exported back to them.

The cash payments are made by the energy company, are index-linked and guaranteed for 25 years by the government. The government are giving a 25 year guarantee on the feed-in tariff and £10,000 invested in solar electricity over the 25 year period will return 50% more than leaving the money in a bank. This calculation does not take into account the savings made on electricity bills over this period.

Earn Guaranteed Income
From April 2010, you can make tax free returns of around 8% by generating your own electricity.

The government has introduced a subsidy program (called a Feed-In Tariff) to create a financial incentive for people to install renewable energy generation technology in their homes and small businesses.

How will the Feed-In Tariff create such a compelling investment opportunity? The new subsidy, which was created by the Energy Act of 2008 and will come into effect on 1st April 2010, benefits generators in three ways:

Earn as you generate
For every kWh of electricity generated, the government will pay 41.3p (~3 x grid rates) guaranteed for 25 years & inflation linked 

For the electricity you don't use up but ‘export’ you receive an additional 3-5p per kWh

Save on your energy bill
By generating some of or all your own electricity you can reduce the amount you buy from a utility

Today this means a saving of around 13p per kWh but this will rise as energy prices increase

Increase your home value
With a 25 year technology warranty and a subsidy lifetime you will earn money for many years.

How does the Feed-In Tariff work?

The Tariff is paid to you by your grid energy supplier using your existing bills - and is:

• Index linked (so payments will increase each year to stay in line with inflation)
• Guaranteed by law for 25 years - long after you will have paid back any up-front cost of the electricity

	Benefits	Savings
Earn as you generate	Toby's 2kWp installation generates 1700kWh each year & receives 41.3p per kWh & and additional 3p for any electricity he exports to the Grid	£728 (each year)
Save on bills	Toby uses ~50% of the electricity he generates and so avoids needing to buy 850 kWh at ~13p per kWh from his fossil-fuel based utility	£110 (each year)
Total savings per year	Having spent ~£11000, Toby makes a massive tax free annual saving of ~8%	£840 (each year)
Increase in home value	Because Toby is going to sell his home next year, he can pass on the savings to the next owner. We assume a simple 10 x yearly earnings as a reasonable price	£8400 (£840 x 10)
Annual carbon savings	To illustrate the environmental benefits, we've calculated the annual carbon savings in terms of the equivalent miles you could drive in one of the engensa Smart Cars	6200 miles

Source: Energy Savings Trust; assumes 89 g/km emissions for a Smart for two pulse cabrio

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Feed-in Tariff

Feed-in tariff - Payments per kWh if installed before 31st March 2012
up to 4 kW (new build)	36.1 pence per kWh generated
up to 4 kW (retrofit*)	41.3 pence per kWh generated
4 kW to 10 kW	36.1 pence per kWh generated
10 kW to 100 kW	31.4 pence per kWh generated
100 kW to 5 MW	29.3 pence per kWh generated
Stand alone system**	29.3 pence per kWh generated

Here is our advice about how to save energy

• Look at microgeneration technologies. These include small scale renewable sources such as photovoltaic solar systems, as well as wind turbines, hydroelectric plants, ground source heat pumps and Micro Combined Heat and Power (MicroCHP) installations. Grants are available for most technologies, and saving energy means saving money.
• Check out all available grants, especially for extra loft insulation and cavity wall insulation; you'll be amazed at the difference in heat loss.
• Good old double glazing: if you haven't got it, get it.
• Buy an energy monitor to show your electricity usage, cost and CO2 levels to make you more aware of your energy consumption.
• Adapt your environment: does your heating really need to be on full? Turn the thermostat down by just 2 or 3 degrees, you will hardly notice the difference.
• Only have the heating on when necessary: if you are at work all day and no-one is in the house, turn the heating off, or least turn it down.
• Switch off the lights as you exit the room.
• Next time a bulb blows, change it for an energy saving bulb. It will take a bit of getting used to, but the money and energy you'll save is worth it, not to mention how long they last.
• If you replace an old boiler with a new one you can save up to £200 per annum.
• Close your curtains when the sun goes down and make sure they're not hanging over the top of the radiator.
• Always use a full dishwasher, washing machine or tumble dryer. Whenever possible limit your use of the tumble dryer.
• Shower instead of having a bath: a shower uses 40% less water.
• Fill your kettle with only the necessary amount of water needed for coffee and tea.
• A large plasma or LCD TV generates a lot of heat: turn the radiator right down in that room whilst the TV is on.
• Don't keep the TV, stereo, etc, on standby - this very simple tip really adds up.
• Try to remember that energy has to go somewhere, and wasted energy is usually in the form of heat loss. Use this to your advantage: a working kitchen will generate its own heat simply through appliance heat loss, so turn the radiators down and use the heat loss to warm your kitchen.
• If you need a new fridge or freezer, make sure you get an energy efficient one. This appliance is on 24 hours a day, so big savings can be made here.
• http://actonsolarpower.com/why-solar

Solar for Business

Businesses generally have large roof area and hence has the same benefits as schools however the initial investment is large.

Solar electric systems are not just useful for homes and schools , but can be financially beneficial for businesses too.

Grants are available to all businesses if they convert to Solar PV Energy.

By installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Businesses can benefit from the new Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) that will provide an income stream at the same time as reducing energy consumption.

Businesses can attract a Grant and a Green Credentials.

http://actonsolarpower.com/solar-for-business

Act On Solar Power

Act On Solar Power is UK’s Local Solar Energy Directory and Events Guide

Act On Solar Power is the ultimate solar energy guide to your local area. You already know that asking friends is the best way to find restaurants, dentists, hairdressers, and anything local. Well, here at Act On Solar Power, we have gone out of our way to uncover the local hidden gems of the solar panels industry so that we can share them with you. We've tapped into the community's voice so you'll find real people, writing real reviews, and sharing with you why things are the best. 

 

Act On Solar UK is run by Haris Dabasia.

Mr.Harish Dabasia who was a professional builder and property developer and now a prolific blogger on Solar Energy Issues, the most connected person in the Solar electricity industry and a ‘Green’ enthusiast wanted to contribute to the Green course on a continuous basis by providing a ‘seed’ in the form of a platform that will benefit UK for years to come and hence had this site built.

Giving you Instant access to reviews and advice, that will save you time, money and effort, is here so our customers can make energy make money 

If you think your solar energy business is one of the best in UK and should be featured on Act On Solar then call 07956883334 Or click here to email. 

 

Here at Act On Solar UK, word of mouth just got louder! Every Solar business on our site has been checked out by us and recommended by other local people; so you can use them with confidence knowing they truly are one of the best at what they do.. http://actonsolarpower.com/about-actonsolarpower

Hydrodynamic screw in Africa http://bit.ly/nwjdF7

Hydrodynamic screw in Africa

Hydrodynamic screw to be introduced to South Africa

The hydroscrew also provides higher efficiency than water wheels or small turbines and provides constant and stable efficiency.

Amplify’d from www.archimedeshydroscrew.com

Hydrodynamic screw in South Africa

Hydrodynamic screw to be introduced to South Africa

Multidisciplinary equipment supplier Wam Group South Africa aims to introduce the hydro- dynamic screws of its Italian sister company, Roncuzzi, to the South African market. The units are designed to produce electric energy through a reversible volumetric machine, which turns the hydroenergy into mechanical energy. The screw is placed in a river or stream, with a minimum decline of 0.91 m, and a weir is built to divert water into the hydroscrew.

Hydrodynamic screw to be introduced to South Africa

HYDRODYNAMIC SCREW The unit is placed in a river or stream in South Africa, with a minimum decline of 0.91 m, and a weir is built to divert water into the hydroscrew The water moving the rotor generates the mechanical energy and it is transformed into electric energy by a power generator, which is connected through a panel to the local power network. One machine is able to produce 300 kW of renewable energy and can handle a head of up to 10 m and a flow rate of up to 5 500 ℓ/s, although several machines can be used at the same time. The hydroscrew can be used to replace small turbines and plants, which require maintenance; it can also replace damaged water wheels and clean water discharge from wastewater treatment. Further, it can be used as part of a system to reduce water flow in existing channels or weirs, create water power channels, cool water from electric power stations and process water in paper mills or water mills. Wam Group South Africa GM Emilie Marchand says the benefits of the hydroscrews include no control system being required as the screw conveyor automatically adapts to main frequency and to the water flow rate. Further, a frequency converter or programmable logic controller is not required. The hydroscrew also provides higher efficiency than water wheels or small turbines and provides constant and stable efficiency. No cleaning and limited maintenance are needed. Read more at www.archimedeshydroscrew.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/nwjdF7

Queens jewels Archimedes’ Screws to Power Windsor http://amplify.com/u/a1d5c3

Queens jewels Archimedes’ Screws to Power Windsor

Archimedes’ Screws to Power Windsor for hydro electricity and become the green energy jewels of the Queen

Amplify’d from www.archimedeshydroscrew.com

Archimedes’ Screws to Power Windsor

Archimedes’ Screws to Power Windsor

Queen Elizabeth II of England has given the green light to power Windsor Castle by hydroelectricity, using

turbines based on principles developed by Archimedes. The 40-ton Archimedes’ Screws were lowered into place at Romney Weir on the River Thames, on September 7. As their name suggests, the turbines look like the screw invented by the Ancient Greek mathematician and engineer Archimedes of Syracuse. The Archimedes’ screw, also called the Archimedean screw or screw pump, is a machine used for raising water from a lower to a higher level. Archimedes invented the device while in Egypt. Since then, the machine is historically used mostly for irrigation projects, by transferring water from a low-lying body of water into irrigation canals. One of the greatest scientists of antiquity, Archimedes is known for his mathematical work, his theories of mechanics and his clever use of machines in the defense of his homeland Syracuse -then an independent Greek City-State- against the Romans. [Photo: Archimedes Thoughtful by Domenico Fetti (1620)] Queen Elizabeth II of England has given the green light to power Windsor Castle by hydroelectricity,using turbines based on principles developed by Archimedes. The 40-ton Archimedes’ Screws were lowered into place at Romney Weir on the River Thames, on September 7. As their name suggests, the turbines look like the screw invented by the Ancient Greek mathematician and engineer Archimedes of Syracuse. The Archimedes’ screw, also called the Archimedean screw or screw pump, is a machine used for raising water from a lower to a higher level. Archimedes invented the device while in Egypt. Since then, the machine is historically used mostly for irrigation projects, by transferring water from a low-lying body of water into irrigation canals. One of the greatest scientists of antiquity, Archimedes is known for his mathematical work, his theories of mechanics and his clever use of machines in the defense of his homeland Syracuse -then an independent Greek City-State- against the Romans. [Photo: Archimedes Thoughtful by Domenico Fetti (1620)]

See more at www.archimedeshydroscrew.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a1d5c3

Windsor screw turbines http://bit.ly/pyJNct

Windsor screw turbines

A deal with the Queen to provide hydroelectric “green” energy to Windsor Castle, using screw turbines

Amplify’d from www.archimedeshydroscrew.com

No finance to build Windsor screw turbines in UK

No finance to build Windsor screw turbines in UK

A British-based entrepreneur, who has just tied up a deal with the Queen to provide hydroelectric “green” energy to Windsor Castle,

cannot find a bank willing to lend the money to build the necessary turbines in the UK. David Dechambeau, who runs Southeast Power Engineering, has been forced to bring in screw turbines from the Netherlands to be placed in the river Thames at Romney Weir. The turbines cost £700,000 and weigh 40 tonnes.

“I have got a local company that would be willing to build the turbines,but we are finding it difficult to find the financial support needed to build this Archimedes-type pump for the first time,” said Dechambeau. Southeast Power Engineering is talking to the Duke of Devonshire about using a similar scheme to turn water from the river Derwent into electricity for another of Britain’s historic houses, Chatsworth in Derbyshire. The house still has original turbines in the basement that date back to 1884 but Dechambeau hopes to bring in a new system that would reintroduce carbon neutral power. The engineering boss has a series of similar schemes in development on the Thames and Avon rivers that would allow homes and businesses to move away from a reliance on gas or coal-fired electricity. The inability to find funding will strike a chord with critics of the government who have complained that the plan to set up a green investment bank is taking too long, and that partly state-owned lenders such as Royal Bank of Scotland are still concentrating on oil and gas rather than on green schemes. It has taken Southeast Power four years to win permission from the Environment Agency to agree to lease part of the riverside land and waters to a private company. Strenuous reviews have taken place to ensure the project at Romney would not adversely affect navigation, flood control or wildlife. Environmental group Friends of the Earth praised the company and the Queen for leading the way with the river schemes. “This is exciting news – we urgently need to develop clean and safe energy to tackle climate change and build a greener economy and it’s great that the royal family is showing leadership in doing so,” said the group’s director of policy and campaigns, Craig Bennett. “It’s not just the royals who can take advantage of the UK’s huge potential for renewable energy on and off shore – from our wind and sun to our waves and river weirs. The government should get on with the job of greening all of our energy supplies and ensure communities are properly supported to produce their own clean power.” Read more at www.archimedeshydroscrew.com

 

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Archimedes hydro screw industry BOOST http://bit.ly/qqU5Le

Archimedes hydro screw industry BOOST

Archimedes hydro screw industry gets a much needed BOOST

Since the introduction of the Feed in tariff (FITs) in the UK

In March 2010 for Hydro Power: the Hydro Energy and especially the Hydro Screw.

Amplify’d from www.archimedeshydroscrew.com

Archimedes hydro screw industry gets a much needed BOOST

Since the introduction of the Feed in tariff (FITs) in the UK

In March 2010 for Hydro Power: the Hydro Energy and especially the Hydro Screw.

Further BOOST has been received  from some high profile Archimedes screw installations, like the installation of four Archimedean screw turbines being installed at the QUEEN’S  favourite residence at Windsor castle, and the completion of the Tees barrage  world’s first combined screw pumps and screw generators at one of the 2012 London Olympic venues.

The Archimedes screw turbine industry

Is dominated by manufacturers based in Holland and Germany; however, there are twice as many manufactures of Archimedes screw pumps that are used in the waste water and Sewage industry through out the world. These same companies are dominating the screw generator industry or working towards converting their screw pumps in to screw turbines, as it happens, the turbine is just the reverse of the Archimedean screw pump.

With all this buzz and competition, gradually some new and exciting new hydrodynamic screw products and new manufactures have joined the race, and some with

Innovative and exciting ideas that will change the hydro screw industry

Namely:

Plastic and composite material Archimedes screws are the new comers

In the industry that uses reinforced plastic body and a steel trough tube or shaft. The advantages are that it is rust proof  and light but cost more then the traditional steel Archimedean screws with limited range of up to 10 KW

There is one UK Company that has come up with

A revolutionary flat pack Archimedes screw system that is up to 70 % cheaper

Than the cost of a traditional Archimedes Generator. Their hydro screw generator is designed and specified in UK but the components are sourced from the emerging economies throughout the world and assembled on site.

Strategic sourcing, flat pack transportation and low profit margins are the main contributing factors in the cost reduction

And these machines are huge, bulky and heavy says Bob the managing director of Pump and Generator.

Pump and Generator are selling their 50 KWatt system for as little as £29,777.00.

Due to huge demand and high volume of calls, they are only excepting email enquiries, to contact them click here. Read more at www.archimedeshydroscrew.com

 

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Hydro power on the River Thames for Queen http://bit.ly/oqE7iI

Hydro power on the River Thames for Queen

The Queen of England this week accepted delivery of two turbines that she’ll plop down in the Thames in order to generate electricity for her royal residence at Windsor, west of London.

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Hydropower: Royally screwed on the River Thames

More and more homeowners these days consider installing solar, wind or geothermal gear to cut electricity bills. But if your house is

Windsor Castle, you can draw hydropower from the nearby River Thames.

The Queen of England this week accepted delivery of two turbines that she’ll plop down in the Thames in order to generate electricity for her royal residence at Windsor, west of London.

What is notable is her choice of hydro technology.

The Queen has turned to a piece of antiquity, the Archimedes’ screw.

As it says on the label, the device is shaped like a screw – a big screw. Each weighs 40 tons and measures 12 meters (39 feet) long and 4 meters (13 feet) in diameter, according to the Daily Mail.

The Greek philosopher and engineer Archimedes invented the contraption(pictured, right) as a way to haul water up slopes into irrigation ditches. The water would travel up in the spinning threads as someone turned the device by a handle.

The Queen has turned to a piece of antiquity, the Archimedes’ screw.

The Windsor project turns the idea upside down. A giant screw slopes downward in a weir. It spins as water plunges along its threads, turning gears that drive a turbine.

Archimedes turbines have caught on in other installations in the UK,

Holland and elsewhere (that’s a Dutch example pictured below).

Proponents say they are simpler and cheaper than other forms of hydropower, and less prone to breaking down. They also claim that they are more environmentally friendly because they are less likely to mangle fish.

Friends of the Earth approved of the Windsor project, which is a partnership between Southeast Power Engineering Ltd. and the UK’s Environment Agency.

“We urgently need to develop clean and safe energy to tackle climate change and build a greener economy and it’s great that the Royal family is showing leadership in doing so,”

FOE director of policy and campaigns Craig Bennett said in a press release. “Obviously schemes should be carefully located to avoid any negative environmental impacts – and in this case the Environment Agency says there’ll be no adverse effects on wildlife, navigation or flood control.”

If all goes as planned, the two screws will start providing a dose of electricity to Windsor in November, and could supply all of the castle’s power by next year.

The Royals could also sell excess electricity to the grid.

The turbines are expected to produce 1.7 million kilowatt hours per year, and cut CO2 emissions by 790,000 kilograms annually.

Keeping up international relations, the screws come from Holland, at a cost of £700,000, according to the Mail. Installation adds another £1 million to the bill, the paper says.

It’s been an eco friendly week for the Royals as Prince Charles became president of the World Wildlife Fund’s UK branch a few days ago.

Maybe the reigning monarch deserves the new title that the Mail bestowed her: The Green Queen. Read more at www.archimedeshydroscrew.com

 

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