We redeveloped this white water course to create a world-class training facility used in the 2012 Olympic Games. The project, at the time, was the only installation where Archimedean screws were used as both pumps and generators.

We installed two new Archimedean screw turbines as part of the refurbishment of the hydroelectric plant at the historic Low Wood Gunpowder Works within the scenic Lake District National Park.

We constructed a 120kW twin hydro turbine, on a small weir at Linton Falls on the River Wharf within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, bringing the asset back to life for the first time since 1948.

Renewables

Our team brings together the full expertise that we can offer in process, mechanical and electrical engineering and programme management, with support as required from the wider organisation.

JN Bentley is privileged to have worked with some prestigious hydropower clients such as Northumbrian Water, British Waterways and The Small Hydro Company, undertaking hydroturbine design, refurbishment and installations waste water screw generators, clean water generators and combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

We have also established some important supply chain relationships in the renewable energy market to help us deliver our hydropower schemes, including collaborative working agreements with the likes of Spaans Babcock and Zeropex.

Linton Falls Hydro

JN Bentley constructed a 120kW hydro turbine, on land owned by the business on a small weir at Linton Falls on the River Wharf, near Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The original Linton Falls plant was built in 1909 bringing the first electricity to the village of Grassington, but was left out of commission since 1948, and has been protected as a Scheduled Monument.

The construction project reinstated a hydro-electricity facility, incorporating two Archimedean screw turbines, to once again supply the Grassington area by feeding locally into the Grid.

Tees Barrage

The course is located on the River Tees adjacent to the Tees Barrage. The project comprised a redevelopment of the course to create a world-class white water facility.

The project at the time was the only installation in the world where Archimedean screws were used as both pumps and generators. The screws were particularly large, delivering a maximum flow rate of 14m3/s.

Further elements included the design and construction of the new RC pumping station, construction of associated penstocks, stop logs and a fish pass; raising of concrete channel walls; excavation and construction of a new, steeper ‘short course’.

Eccup Hydro

Working collaboratively with the client, we delivered a hydroelectric generation facility within Eccup Water Treatment Works (WTW), situated near Leeds, West Yorkshire.

We also worked in partnership with suppliers to develop, install and commission a horizontally mounted Francis turbine with asynchronous generator in a new ‘hydro-turbine building’, upstream of Eccup WTW inlet works. The installation is fully integrated with the previously existing operation of the inlet works for ease of operation, to enable generation of up to 700MWh of electricity per annum.

Esholt WwTW

As part of an overall upgrade to the treatment works at Esholt, we designed and managed the installation of two hydrodynamic screws.

The hydropower installation utilises the 10m head drop between the inlet works and the new primary tanks, with the power generated assisting in meeting the base load of the new activated sludge secondary treatment plant.

We were responsible for construction of the inlet chamber, and plinths for the 2.6m diameter screws and oversaw the subcontracted hydropower and electrical works.

Low Wood Hydro

The project, located at the historical Low Wood Gunpowder Works within the scenic Lake District National Park, comprised of the refurbishment of the hydroelectricity plant.

The works, which were on an English Heritage Scheduled Monument status site, required new intake sluice gates, the construction of an access bridge, the demolition of the existing power house and construction of a new power house, installation of rock armour and gabions to the tailrace and all preparatory work to allow the installation of the two new Archimedean screw turbines and associated equipment by Spaans Babcock.

Mosswood Hydro

The project at Mosswood WTW comprised of the design and construction of a new hydro-turbine for client Northumbrian Water.

We were approached with an invitation to offer proposals for a hydro-electric installation to the intake of the site, using the head derived from Derwent Reservoir. A major requirement of the scheme was to maintain the operational workings of the site during the development, which resulted in a phased installation process being initiated.

Grimwith

At Grmwith, water is released to river from the reservoir for abstraction downstream. Energy was being lost and offered an opportunity for energy recovery/generation from a turbine.

The project comprised of the installation of a 250kW Francis Turbine within an existing chamber at Grimwith Reservoir, recovering energy from the water before it is discharged. The scope of work included the supply and installation of the turbine; modifications to the existing chamber; new 800mm diameter flowmeter to measure and record turbine flows; modification to pipework and valves; electrical installation and SCADA modifications.

Rivelin

Yorkshire Water identified the opportunity to reduce energy costs at Rivelin WTW using the head of water from two raw water mains at the inlet works to power a new turbine.

The project comprised of the installation of a 120kW Francis Turbine on the inlet to recover the energy from the raw water arriving at the site from Rivelin Lower Impounding Reservoir and the Severn Trent tunnel.

Relatively small modifications were required to the existing site infrastructure in order to install the proposed turbine. All of the energy produced from the turbine is used onsite.