The Old Swan & Minster Mill, a de Savary Property, located beside the stunning River Windrush, has made a significant green energy commitment, by commissioning Hallidays Hydropower Limited, to install an Archimedes Screw and therefore, becoming the first hotel in the country to do so.
A "fish friendly" technology, the Archimedes Screw was selected for its low impact on the river's ecosystem and its efficient energy production. A fish pass will also be developed as part of the scheme to improve fish spawning grounds.
Based on Archimedes' ancient screw pump design, the two by five meter screw is turned as water flows through it, activating the turbine and harnessing up to 87 per cent of the energy from the falling water. The technology enables the scheme to give a peak output of 10 kW and generate power of 48,000kwh/year.
The partnership comes at a time when the ‘green' sector is finally being celebrated as a driver of much-needed economic growth in Britain. The Old Swan & Minster Mill has earned a strong reputation for its commitment to sustainability, but this high profile endorsement of design and engineering is indicative of a bigger trend towards ‘micro hydro'. The technology is winning attention and investment from landowners, businesses and communities across Britain, generating income through the Feed-in Tariff, cost savings in the face of continuing energy price rises and CO2 reductions.
Owner of the Old Swan & Minster Mill, Lana de Savary, wife of international entrepreneur and philanthropist Peter de Savary, said "We are delighted to be the first hotel in the country to invest in this latest technology with Hallidays. We continually look at every area of our business to become more considerate locally, nationally and globally. "
Hallidays Hydropower - Hallidays Hydropower, established in the UK in 2007, is an award-winning hydropower company. It manages the complete development process from initial surveys through to commissioning, and offers owned or financed hydropower to help customers secure the ROI benefits of hydro at minimal risk. Hallidays Hydropower is technology agnostic, but specialises in the deployment of Archimedes Screws.
Hallidays Hydropower works with commercial businesses, land and property owners, communities and developers to reduce CO2 emissions and electricity prices through the generation of clean, emission-free power from water.
The founders of Hallidays Hydropower installed the UK's first domestic Archimedes Screw in 2007, and have since worked on projects for the National Trust, Blenheim Palace as well as multiple listed buildings, private mills and properties.