South Somerset Hydropower Group

The South Somerset Hydropower Group (SSHG) is a group of 10 owners of former watermills in the South Somerset area of England who are installing micro-hydro turbines for electricity generation. The Group was founded as a result of an initiative by South Somerset District Council, [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ssh Electricity generation from historic water mills] , "Ashden Awards", accessed 2007-06-11] and was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. [http://beacons.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/4060750 Heritage Matters] , "Department of Communities and Local Government", accessed 2007-06-11] The Group won one of the 2005 Ashden Awards, and the concept has been adopted by a number of other similar groups.

The South Somerset Hydropower Project was begun in 2001 and the first turbine, at Gant’s Mill, was commissioned in 2003. It now produces up to 12kW of electricity from a 300mm crossflow turbine. [ [https://www.neweconomics.org/gen/uploads/sewyo355prhbgunpscr51d2w29062005080838.pdf Mirage and oasis: Energy choices in an age of global warming] , "New Economics Foundation", ISBN 1 904882 01 3, published June 2005, accessed 2007-06-11] [ [http://www.british-hydro.org/mini-hydro/infopage.asp?infoid=393 Case Study - Gants Mill] , "British Hydropower Association", published 2004, accessed (sic) 2007-06-11] Other sites in the Project include Cole Manor (Bruton), Cary's Mill (Martock) and Cutterne Mill (Evercreech). [ [http://www.hydrogeneration.co.uk/images/SSHG%20Hydropower%20Tour%202007.pdf Day Tour of Five Hydropower Installations] , "South Somerset Hydropower Group", published 2007, accessed 2007-06-11] When all the mills are in operation it is expected that they will collectively generate around 600 MWh per year, sufficient to supply about 150 homes and avoid the production of 260 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

The SSHG estimates that there are about 40,000 mill sites that might be suitable for micro-hydropower in the United Kingdom. It has been calculated that harnessing the power from all the streams and rivers in the UK could generate 10,000GWh per year, enough to supply 3% of national generating capacity. [ [http://www.edfenergy.com/html/showPage.do?name=edfenergy.media.news.item.til&cmsPage=/opencms/export/www.edfenergy.com/media/news/20070405.html Hydro-electric mill group launches its first 'power station'] "EDF Energy", published 2005-04-05, accessed 2007-06-11]

See also

*
* Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom
* Energy policy of the United Kingdom
* Energy conservation
* Renewable energy

References

External links

* [http://www.gantsmill.co.uk/hydropower/hydropower.htm Gant's Mill (Mill's own site)]
* [http://www.claptonmill.co.uk/ Clapton Mill (Mill's own site)]
* [http://www.hydrogeneration.co.uk Hydro Generation - Micro-hydro System Supplier]