Restored Italian mill generates clean micro-hydrolelectric power 06 February 2012

A former water mill, at Travesio in northern Italy, has been renovated and converted into a micro-hydroelectric scheme, and is now saving 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

The plant, which is based on an Archimedes' screw concept, is controlled by a Unidrive SP ac drive from Control Techniques, which also providesthe interface between the generator and the power grid.

The Margarita Water Mill, which dates from 1906, has been sympathetically restored by renewable energy specialist Energy Renewable Source, which says it set out to produce a low environmental impact generating plant in the mill by using the ancient Archimedes' screw design to drive a generator.

Unlike Archimedes' original design, which was used to raise water, in this case the screw is reversed so that water flowing downhill turns the screw. The proven design has no impact on river life, even allowing fish to pass through safely.

The hydraulic study and design of the scheme were entrusted to engineer Ottorino Vendramelli of Energy Renewable Source.

Says Vendramelli: "Using this hydroelectric system, we have produced a reliable local source of clean renewable energy, all year round, generating useful revenue as well as helping to save a sizeable amount of greenhouse gas from being released into the atmosphere."

The micro-hydroelectric plant uses the potential energy of the current of the river to turn the Archimedes' screw set in a race, typically at around 30 rpm. The screw itself can be five to eight metres in length and is totally safe, unlike other systems involving river barrages and high speed turbines.

The generator is a squirrel-cage induction motor connected to the low speed screw by a high efficiency gearbox. The generator, connected to a Unidrive SP inverter in regenerative mode, produces electrical energy that can be consumed by the user or supplied to the grid, since it complies with the statutory regulations in terms of quality of waveform.

In this case, the drive is fitted with an SM Application module that runs the special program developed by Energy Renewable Source.

Brian Tinham

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