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Blenheim Palace's £180,000 hydro power scheme plans | Blenheim Palace's £180,000 hydro power scheme plans |
(1 day later) | |
A £180,000 hydropower scheme is to generate "clean electricity" at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. | A £180,000 hydropower scheme is to generate "clean electricity" at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. |
The stately home, a World Heritage Site, will install the "Archimedean screw" design of hydropower with renewables firm Hallidays Hydropower. | The stately home, a World Heritage Site, will install the "Archimedean screw" design of hydropower with renewables firm Hallidays Hydropower. |
Fitted on the River Glyme, at Bladon Dam, the technology will be within landscape designed by architect Lancelot "Capability" Brown. | Fitted on the River Glyme, at Bladon Dam, the technology will be within landscape designed by architect Lancelot "Capability" Brown. |
It is expected to power the equivalent of 18 homes. | It is expected to power the equivalent of 18 homes. |
Churchill's birthplace | Churchill's birthplace |
The move is expected to cut carbon emissions and is part of measures to make the palace one of Britain's greenest. | The move is expected to cut carbon emissions and is part of measures to make the palace one of Britain's greenest. |
Two giant water turbines, installed at Romney Weir on the River Thames, are already being used to power Windsor Castle. | Two giant water turbines, installed at Romney Weir on the River Thames, are already being used to power Windsor Castle. |
The scheme at Blenheim Palace, which was the birthplace of Winston Churchill, is expected to have a lifespan of 40 years. | The scheme at Blenheim Palace, which was the birthplace of Winston Churchill, is expected to have a lifespan of 40 years. |
Subsidies for electricity generated from small-scale renewables, known as feed-in tariffs, will provide an estimated £12,600 a year for the scheme, over the first 20 years. | Subsidies for electricity generated from small-scale renewables, known as feed-in tariffs, will provide an estimated £12,600 a year for the scheme, over the first 20 years. |
It is also expected to save the estate, which is home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, at least £5,760 a year on energy costs at current prices, adding up to an estimated return of around £18,000 a year. | It is also expected to save the estate, which is home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, at least £5,760 a year on energy costs at current prices, adding up to an estimated return of around £18,000 a year. |
Blenheim has already installed solar electricity (PV) panels and 40 ground and air source heat pumps for heating across its buildings. | Blenheim has already installed solar electricity (PV) panels and 40 ground and air source heat pumps for heating across its buildings. |
'Fish-friendly' | 'Fish-friendly' |
There are also plans for two biomass boilers and a second hydropower scheme in 2014. | There are also plans for two biomass boilers and a second hydropower scheme in 2014. |
The Archimedean screw turns as falling water from the top of the dam flows through it, activating a turbine and generating power. | The Archimedean screw turns as falling water from the top of the dam flows through it, activating a turbine and generating power. |
It is considered to be "fish-friendly" and have a low impact on the river. | It is considered to be "fish-friendly" and have a low impact on the river. |
A side stream is also being developed to help fish navigate the dam, improve spawning grounds and improve the habitat. | A side stream is also being developed to help fish navigate the dam, improve spawning grounds and improve the habitat. |
Roger File, property director at the palace, said the scheme would make up the majority of the 60,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy the estate was planning to generate a year, by the end of 2013. | |
"Micro hydro is set to play a starring role in our drive for energy independence, efficiency and environmental performance," he said. | "Micro hydro is set to play a starring role in our drive for energy independence, efficiency and environmental performance," he said. |
He added the scheme "made sense environmentally and financially". | He added the scheme "made sense environmentally and financially". |
Hallidays Hydropower said the technology would work "in harmony" with the landscape "at the same time enhancing the local habitat and environment". | Hallidays Hydropower said the technology would work "in harmony" with the landscape "at the same time enhancing the local habitat and environment". |
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