Hydroelectric power comes to Mapledurham
By Paul Cassell
November 01, 2011
Source
The Archimedes’ screw which is used to drive the turbine to generate up to 500,000 kWh of renewable electricity a year
A huge new hydroelectric power turbine harnessing water from the River Thames has been installed at Mapledurham House.
The technology uses a modern Archimedes’ screw to scoop up water and drive the turbine to generate up to 500,000 kWh of renewable electricity a year for Marks & Spencer (M&S).
The turbine was unveiled last Tuesday and means the country estate, owned by John Eyston and his family, now boasts the newest and oldest sources of hydro-power on the river.
The beautiful grounds are also home to the watermill which is said to have inspired Kenneth Grahame to write his classic story The Wind In The Willows.
Mr Eyston said: “It’s been our long-standing ambition to generate renewable electricity from the last working watermill on the Thames.
“We’re delighted that the hydro-powered turbine is now up and running, providing a sustainable additional income for the future from this historic site.”
The turbine will produce electricity which will be sold to the retail giant, who also purchase milk from the estate.
It is 3.5 metres in diameter and weighs 24.7 tonnes and has been designed to complement the existing Grade II-listed watermill.
Mervyn Bowden, head of energy management at M&S, said: “We know that sustainable business makes good business sense for both M&S and our suppliers.
“Growing the amount of directly bought renewable energy from small-scale suppliers, such as Mapledurham Estate, reduces our impact on the environment and helps us reduce the risk within our own energy portfolio.”
Mapledurham Estate has extended its opening times for members of the public interested in the watermill and hydroelectric turbine. They can see it in operation every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm until Christmas.
By Paul Cassell
November 01, 2011
Source
The Archimedes’ screw which is used to drive the turbine to generate up to 500,000 kWh of renewable electricity a yearA huge new hydroelectric power turbine harnessing water from the River Thames has been installed at Mapledurham House.
The technology uses a modern Archimedes’ screw to scoop up water and drive the turbine to generate up to 500,000 kWh of renewable electricity a year for Marks & Spencer (M&S).
The turbine was unveiled last Tuesday and means the country estate, owned by John Eyston and his family, now boasts the newest and oldest sources of hydro-power on the river.
The beautiful grounds are also home to the watermill which is said to have inspired Kenneth Grahame to write his classic story The Wind In The Willows.
Mr Eyston said: “It’s been our long-standing ambition to generate renewable electricity from the last working watermill on the Thames.
“We’re delighted that the hydro-powered turbine is now up and running, providing a sustainable additional income for the future from this historic site.”
The turbine will produce electricity which will be sold to the retail giant, who also purchase milk from the estate.
It is 3.5 metres in diameter and weighs 24.7 tonnes and has been designed to complement the existing Grade II-listed watermill.
Mervyn Bowden, head of energy management at M&S, said: “We know that sustainable business makes good business sense for both M&S and our suppliers.
“Growing the amount of directly bought renewable energy from small-scale suppliers, such as Mapledurham Estate, reduces our impact on the environment and helps us reduce the risk within our own energy portfolio.”
Mapledurham Estate has extended its opening times for members of the public interested in the watermill and hydroelectric turbine. They can see it in operation every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm until Christmas.