Rochdale hydro-electric scheme uses Archimedean screw turbine
An innovative scheme to use the River Roch to generate electricity is now underway.
Funded by Transport for Greater Manchester, the European Union’s INTERREG IVB Ticket to Kyoto project, the Northwest Development Agency, Rochdale Borough Council and the Environment Agency, the turbine converts energy from the River Roch as it flows rapidly through an existing weir.
The weight of the water turns the screw-shaped Archimedean turbine, generating electricity.
The electricity will eventually help to power the planned Rochdale Interchange. Until then, the power produced will be sold back to the National Grid.
The scheme will generate an impressive 86,000kWh of electricity every year, reducing the interchange’s carbon footprint by over a quarter.
The turbine itself, known as an ‘Archimedean screw,’ was supplied by a specialist contractor with a base in Heywood.
There is also a fish pass, funded by the Environment Agency, which will help fish to swim upstream past the Archimedean screw turbine to migrate and spawn.
Representatives from the EU’s Ticket to Kyoto programme, a joint INTERREG-funded project between five European transport companies committed to reducing carbon emissions from public transport, saw the Archimedean screw turbine in action in Rochdale yesterday.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chairman of Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “This is a pioneering project that gives us an opportunity to make Rochdale’s future transport interchange the first of its kind in Europe: a reduced carbon public transport hub running partly on hydro-power.
“Public transport is already one of the greenest travel choices people can make, but projects like this one can cut down carbon emissions and make it even more environmentally sound.
“We hope that projects like this one can pave the way for future public transport innovations, not just in the UK but across Europe.”
The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Alan Godson, who visited the site yesterday, said the scheme is a fantastic example of home-grown energy: “For the country to successfully move to a low carbon economy, it will need more projects like this. The benefits go beyond climate change, with a clear positive impact for the local community.”
Kevin Nash, Environment Agency Fisheries Technical Specialist, said:
“The Environment Agency supports the development of sustainable hydropower schemes uses Archimedean screw turbine, as renewable energy is important to the long-term protection of the environment.
“It is our role to ensure that hydropower schemes include appropriate measures to protect the local environment, and we’re really pleased that we’ve been able to work together and include a fish pass in this scheme. Helping fish swim upstream to migrate and spawn will go a long way to improving the future sustainability of the fishery in the River Roch and improve the river environment for years to come.”
Ruut Louwers, INTERREG IVB NWE Programme Director, said: “The Ticket to Kyoto project tackles an important challenge for cities and regions in North West Europe by developing novel solutions to increase energy efficiency in public transport.”
Rochdale hydro-electric scheme uses Archimedean screw turbine
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