The Hydro Electric Scheme

On the left hand side of the weir as we see it here is the site of the hydro electric scheme.
This is on the site of Torr Mill that burnt down in 1912. The weir is just after the River Sett (from the left) joins the River Goyt (from the right) under the town of New Mills. The river isn't always this full - this is after the heavy rain in July 2007. You can even see that the River Sett's water is a lighter brown.

Archie
We have now install a 70kW Reverse Archimedean Screw with a diameter of 2.4 Metres. The screw has been given the name "Archie"
Originally, Archimedean screws were used to carry water uphill, but someone had the idea of reversing one to generate electricity.
There is one installed in Devon, but this one is the first to be owned by the community. The whole project is a long term investment, the screw has an expected life of 40 years.
Based on official records of river levels over the last 20 years, we estimate that it will generate 242,000 KWh (or units). When the river level is low it just turns off.
The installation caused a few head aches; there is no road access that can carry the 10 tonnes of screw so we had to lower the screw from the nearby Union Road bridge. Cement has to be piped over the river because the cement mixer could not cross the bridge.

View of site from upstream,
with Union Road bridge in the background
Photo: Paul Devereaux

A section of the Archimedean screw showing the movement of water. The water falls in 'pockets' which means anything caught (like fish) will be released unhurt at the bottom.