Hydroelectric generator using an archimedes screw, 3 phase induction motor and vfd.

We visit the Whitby Esk community energy project, in Ruswarp North Yorkshire, to see a 50kW Hydroelectric power plant based on an archimedes screw turbine.
The archimedes screw is coupled, via a gear box, to a 3 phase induction motor used as a generator. The power from the induction motor is fed in to the electricity grid using a variable frequency drive.
The power from the hydro plant is regulated by the variable speed drive and the penstock which controls the amount of water extracted from the river.
The project has reused a weir from the industrial revolution which used to power a water wheel in a local corn mill.
In this video, you'll hear from the projects technical director Mike Ford and how they brought the renewable energy project to life. Mike also discusses how they had to manage environmental aspects such as - turbine noise control, river levels and fish migration.
The turnkey project was delivered by Spaans Babcock using Siemens PLC control system and ABB variable frequency drive (VFD)
#efixx #greenenergy

[@phildxyz]

What a brilliant project!

[@alec4672]

This really cleared the fog from my brain. I'm looking at property right now capable of a 12kw hydro turbine. I was thinking I was going to need to build some custom complicated dump load controller to shunt power to a dump load to control the frequency. Now I'm realizing I can just use a VFD programed correctly with a speed sensor to automatically shunt power. Not exactly the same setup but your video still triggered light bulbs.

[@efixx]

Let us know how you get on.

[@DanSeaber-Shinn]

Really fascinating video guys, enjoyed that a lot. Great work Whitby Esk Energy and all involved!

[@efixx]

Thanks for your support Dan

[@markusfors7001]

Fantastic project, really inspiring and thank you for producing and posting this. Markus in Sweden

[@efixx]

Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻

[@columlynch4229]

Excellent and amazing and too think that it runs on an inexhaustible supply of free energy . Here in Ireland we are the wettest country in Europe with thousands of disused water mills and many of them still have the necessary infrastructure in place. I want to start up a community energy cooperative . It's totally viable and well done to Witby Esk Energy.

[@aqelixenergy]

Great project and that dividend is a great ROI for investors.

[@odinnln5694]

Great to see. We do not make enough use of flowing water and tides to generate electricity.

[@maherhasna4979]

Thank you indeed for your explanation and the good job you did.

[@bdblazer6400]

you know its a propper electrical room when there is a slick wooden Cupboard in there

[@efixx]

Well spotted!

[@WhitbyEskEnergy]

We're keeping our costs down! - reusing kitchen cupboards for storage

[@Kiyarose3999]

Excellent news, Archemedes Screw, Oxygenating the river as well.

[@Tariq-hk8zd]

As an electrician I’d love to work there

[@davey6024]

Maybe reach out to infinis and see if they agree to have a look at some of their power generation sites. Mostly using gas from landfill sites to power gas engines like cats and yanbachers. Some are putting out about 2mw.

[@RobWillmot]

"Chop fish to pieces" Smart comment.

[@LeighWinspear]

Great video. I live in Whitby so I've seen the installation from the roadside. Always wondered what the set up was.
My only question is, "which fish n chip shop, did you go to while you were here?"........

[@efixx]

We went to Humble Pie and Mash for dinner the first night then Mister Chips for lunch the next day. They were both awesome!

[@LeighWinspear]

@@efixx Yep. Mr chips is one of the best and good shout with humble pie n mash....

[@panchora99]

What is the equation to calculate how much kW can a screw turbine produce? I ask because I dont think its the same P = m x g x Hnet x η equation for hydropower.

[@wizahsimbeye3227]

What kind of generator is it using ac inductor motor or dc motor?

[@erekletkabladze1413]

Hellow. Nice work!
How do you calculate metal sheet thickness for shaft and flights?
Thank you in advance!

[@efixx]

That’s beyond our pay grade - should be a link to the manufacturers in the description

[@erekletkabladze1413]

@@efixx Thank you again for your attention.

[@popovichrush]

Pls what's the name of the gearbox your are using and which company produces them.Thank you

[@WhitbyEskEnergy]

Hi Rush. It's a Flender, made by Siemens (sorry about the late reply)

[@adolfoguerra4293]

How much did this project cost to set up including civils and the like?

[@markusfors7001]

Yes that would be really good to know but watching this Canadian team building and selling this system to New Zealand on this youtube here: th-cam.com/video/hnkI3rBX8tg/w-d-xo.html they're saying their Archimedes screw start at £35,000 for a complete small 1kW system but the cost fastly decline per kW as it scales up where a final 250 kW system is at £4,706 per kW for a complete system which would give a complete 250 kW system a cost of £941,200 so it is expensive. But with today's prices and what's going on with the energy crisis I'm pretty sure Whitby Esk Energy is financially sound by now and they're really happy they did this. Nobody knows how the future looks like but I'm pretty sure we all are going to look at energy prices with new eyes in the future.

[@ek9772]

Very interesting.
I got a bit confused with the annual generation numbers:
40-kWh x 24-hours x 365 days = 350,400 kWh
However, the stated number was about a third of this.

[@efixx]

This is because they have to balance river flow with generation. During the summer months the river has a lower water level = less water for generation.
If you go to the Whitby Esk energy website you will see the real time generation and seasonal variance.

[@ek9772]

efixx I missed this point during the presentation. Thanks.
Does this mean that on an annual basis their capacity factor is around 30%?

[@efixx]

Yes - Here’s a link to the actual data
whitbyeskenergy.org.uk/powerlog/

[@WhitbyEskEnergy]

@@ek9772 Yes, we run approx 1/3 of the year shutdown, 1/3 flat out, 1/3 variable

[@WhitbyEskEnergy]

For more information please visit WhitbyEskEnergy.org.uk

[@shanebrennan4657]

Shame the feed in tariff is no longer available for new comers.

[@guygillmore2970]

10% loss to the gearbox was a surprise to me. Would a slow speed motor/generator with more poles not have covered its extra cost via higher efficiency (and less noise…)

[@spinfinitel]

Hello
Help me set up for roughly 300kw
I'm next to a flowing river

[@stevegee7593]

This could have been a great video. But was spoilt by the music, which at times it was hard to hear your guest

[@efixx]

Thanks for your feedback - The site was also very noisy which is a challenge for sound all around.

[@danielforrest3871]

40 homes, paying 100 per month, 48k per year... doesn't pay the maintenance much less for the project..

[@jamesdyas542]

Yes, there is an elephant in the room.

[@josephroutland6932]

All talk no science no action haha

[@spinfinitel]

Please

[@davidallton8074]

40kw for 40 houses?….

[@jacquigray3663]

Why the annoying music

[@efixx]

We’ve dropped the annoying music on newer videos.