The water wheel at Cricklepit Mill, Exeter Quay, once powered woollen cloth and flour production and is now set to become a full-time power generator with the installation of a new hydro scheme which will produce renewable electricity from water power for the Devon Wildlife Trust.
Work at the headquarters of the Devon Wildlife Trust begins this week with the first task being the repair of the bed of the mill’s water channel (known as a leat) and the building of a base for the hydro electric turbine. Subsequent phases of the project will include construction of the turbine in May followed by its installation in August.
The project has been made possible thanks to funding from Renewable Energy 4 Devon, EDF Energy Green Fund, Viridor Credits and the Big Lottery Fund – BRE Community Sustainable Energy Programme.
The turbine will have a 3kW rated capacity and is being fitted by a Westcountry firm, Renewables First. The machine is set to meet most of the charity’s electricity needs during the working week and any excess power produced over weekends and evenings will be sold back to the national grid.
Although there will be some disruption, the Mill will remain open to visitors throughout the summer. People are invited along to check on the project’s progress. Cricklepit Mill is open to the public each weekday between 9am and 5pm. Entry is free.
(from a press release)
(image: Exeter’s Cricklpit Mill by hannis_jo used under a Creative Commons licence)
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