Micro HydroPower

Sustainable Energy

Green projects and ecological issues seem to be on everybody’s lips these days. We’re gradually becoming more environmentally aware, more informed about using up increasingly scarce planetary resources, working more harmoniously with nature and returning to harnessing natural elements once more, all in a far more enlightened way than in recent decades. Many of us are looking at working the land in more sustainable ways, not only through organic farming but also through permaculture projects, buying food produce which is grown locally and not imported from halfway across the globe to reach our table (thereby causing the greatest level of carbon dioxide pollution). In renewable energy terms, we’re looking at wind power, bio-fuels and solar energy. The question is: are we paying enough attention to the potential of the power generated by water?

Take a look at the Mill in its tranquil setting near Dover. In the 1800’s it produced huge quantities of flour to supply the needs of that growing metropolis, London. This tiny river turned a large waterwheel which powered five pairs of millstones, weighing a tonne each. It also powered and turned cleaning and refining equipment throughout five floors, all connected by augers, conveyors and elevators. There was no electricity then, it hadn’t been discovered. It was all powered by water. All the processes were then driven by the waterwheel, and, importantly, they still are today.

The Millpond acts as a nature reserve for water-loving birds, rainbow trout, and all sorts of other flora and fauna, and is within the village of River, a designated Conservation Area. But, it’s also man-made in a way that works symbiotically with nature. A millpond to a Mill is like a battery to a car, it’s the energy source and power reserve. There is very minimal visual or noise impact, just the gentle flow of water and the idling of the great wheel. Just think about it, what production industries are there today which don’t make a racket, or deplete natural resources, or pollute the environment?

Being the best and most complete surviving example, Crabble Mill opened in 1990 as a working mill museum, a visitor attraction and an educational resource. Following a successful award winning campaign to rescue and restore it, the Mill was furnished with a new electricity supply for lighting and other modern day appliances, including heating, which create a fuel bill of about £350 per month.

Time to upgrade!

Being on the site of previous mills, within the basement area of Crabble Mill are remains of another watercourse. It is a perfect place to install a modern micro hydro-power unit, using the best of modern day technology to generate clean, green and free electricity, and perhaps to sell any surplus to the National Grid for other consumers. Wow, we’d then not only be helping ourselves, but helping others too.

This is not just a “win-win” situation; it’s a “win-win-win-win” project! Firstly, the Mill wins as it’s generating electricity, visitors win because it is located ‘exposed’ in the education area with interpretation of how it works. The Mill Preservation Trust wins as this significantly reduces overheads which it would otherwise have to fund-raise. And, most importantly, the planet wins because there’s no depletion of natural resources.

Creative Environmental Networks, a not for profit organisation, has been helping the Trust with the development of this project. After conducting a pre-feasibility study, they were inspired by the potential of the Mill and secured funding for a full feasibility study to go ahead for grant application to Clear Skies, the government’s funding stream for renewable energy. Site surveys, engineering assessment and analysis, flow rates and compilation of other data had to be carried out before providing a specification and recommendation. This included issues regarding preservation of fish stock and water screening. Research and development involved turbine testing and output optimisation.

Phil Jackson, managing the project at CEN, says, “The importance of this project cannot be underestimated. It is an outstanding site, of huge historical importance. The Mill provides important connections to our past, and is demonstrating to everyone how to live more sustainably for the future. The Trust should be congratulated on it’s drive to become far more environmentally friendly. It is an example of best practice for the whole of the local community, if not the whole of the South East.”

If all goes well and the Mill is successful with both funding and project installation, plans are to hold an ECO-FAIR at the Mill late summer 2006, for people and local businesses to see a shining example of “renewable-energy-in-action” through history, in the present, and for the future, whilst looking at and considering more ideas for sustainability by other exhibitors.