Saddleworth Community Hydro wins the Community Energy Collaboration Award, recognising the ground-breaking association between a community group and United Utilities.
Community Energy England Award for Saddleworth Hydro
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Saddleworth Community Hydro – 55 kW Crossflow turbine
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Institute of Civil Engineers Award 2015 for Saddleworth Hydro
David Balmforth, President of ICE, awards Renewables First the North West Civil Engineering Community Project Award 2015, for their work on the Saddleworth Community Hydro scheme.
Community Hydro scheme’s grand opening at Dove Stone
On September 23rd, the Saddleworth Community Hydro scheme was officially opened by Adrian Ramsey, chief executive of the Centre for Alternative Technology claiming, “Saddleworth has led the way in promoting a clean, reliable supply of energy and it is extremely inspiring…”
Commissioning Saddleworth hydro scheme
Renewables First commission England’s first community owned, high head micro hydro scheme.
Cross flow turbine delivered to Dovestone Reservoir
The turbine and generator was delivered to site pre-assembled in order to reduce on-site installation time.
Saddleworth Hydro penstock connection
The penstock is being connected to the existing pipe work within the valve house and will divert water (flow) towards the turbine house. The configuration of the pipework enables the asset owner to isolate the flow from the penstock at any time, thus maintaining the physical separation of the reservoir asset from the Dovestone hydro scheme.
Turbine house emerges out of the ground at Dovestone Reservoir
With the subterranean levels completed, construction of the turbine house super-structure is now underway. This is designed to blend-in with existing reservoir architecture, thus reducing its visual impact.
Constructing the underground hydro turbine house
Designed by Renewables First, the turbine house will be a triple-layer construction, with a loading bay and hoist beam above ground, with the turbine chamber and sump below.
The “breakthrough”: linking the Crossflow turbine to the watercourse
One of the key design requirements of the Saddleworth Hydro scheme is to ensure that the compensation flow used to drive the Crossflow turbine is returned to the natural watercourse.
Saddleworth Community Hydro scheme works begin
With Planning Permission and all other Consents granted for the Saddleworth Community Hydro project, excavation work was able to commence for the turbine house chamber, sump and culvert.
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Saddleworth Community Hydro – 55 kW Crossflow turbine
Renewables First design Saddleworth Community Hydro project
Renewables First design expertise integrates a 55 kW Crossflow into the existing dam infrastructure at Dovestone Reservoir. The key design principles of the project are to maintain the compensation flow to the Chew Brook, generate electricity from the flow released and allow for reservoir draw-down during emergency procedures.
Community hydro scheme spearheaded by Renewables First
Renewables First has been hired to project manage a community hydro scheme on United Utilities owned Dovestone Reservoir, for Saddleworth Community Hydro. This will be the first community owned high head hydropower scheme in England!
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