JCB takes new twist with Archimedes screw15 April 2010

A modern version of one of the world's oldest engineering wonders has just been installed at the new JCB Academy – and will be responsible for generating most of its electricity.

An environmentally-friendly Archimedes screw turbine was lowered into place at the Academy, which is based at the Grade II listed Tutbury Mill in Rocester, Staffordshire.

The pump was first used over two thousand years ago in ancient Greece to move water to higher ground for irrigation.

This new plant, which weighs 13.5 tonnes and measures 36ft by 10ft, uses the reverse principal – harnessing water power from the adjacent millrace to drive a turbine that in turn will generate up to 85% of the centre's electrical requirements.

JCB group property director and Academy trust director Alan Thomson says the new plant will save 64 tonnes of CO2 per annum, compared to using mains electricity, when it opens for students in September.

"When we designed the JCB Academy we wanted to be as green as possible and the Archimedes screw turbine embraces the latest technology to generate electricity in an environmentally friendly way,2 comments Thomson.

"It also complements other methods of power generation, which include installing a wind turbine and photovoltaic cells to harness solar power," he adds.

The hydropower pump was developed in Germany to JCB's specification, before being shipped over to the UK.

Brian Tinham

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