David Wilson Homes’ Garnett Wharfe development has installed two Archimedes screws as part of work on a new hydroelectric turbine at Otley in West Yorkshire.
The two 10-metre screws were lifted into place via a 15m by 3m crane operated with a 40m boom, capable of lifting a total of 25 tonnes.
The screws allow water from the weir to pass through the top, with the weight of the water pushing on and forcing downwards a helical flight, in turn allowing the water to fall to the lower level and causing the screw to rotate.
The rotational energy will then be extracted by an electrical generator connected to the main shaft of the screw to create up to 1.3GWh a year.
Work on the turbine started in November 2015 and the latest phase, which is being managed by Eric Wright Civil Engineering and Lowwood Products, builds on the recent installation of a sheet-piling cofferdam around the working area to keep out the river.
The project is expected to be complete later this year.
Image: David Wilson Homes
