Tour of Hydro Sites
Twenty potential investors joined our MD, Rob Pilling, for a tour of our two planned hydro power sites on Saturday, May 7th. The tour was fully subscribed, and despite the rain, nearly all our expected participants attended on the day. The group was divided in two, with each group taking part in a site tour […]
Open Day at South Yorkshire Energy Centre
As part of Sheffield Environment Weeks we had an open day on Sunday at South Yorkshire Energy Centre, where our office is situated. It was a windy day, so getting the gazebo and display boards set up was a bit of a challenge. More work ahead for the Model Making group to make a frame […]
Sheffield Environment Weeks
Sheffield Renewables had a successful stall at the launch event for Sheffield Environment weeks on Saturday, April 23rd in the city centre. Five volunteers working in shifts staffed the stall until a sudden hail storm forced all stall holders to pack away and head for shelter. It was interesting to talk to lots of people […]
Volunteers Discuss Sheffield’s Distributed Energy Plans
Our first volunteer discussion night got off to a hectic start as 20 volunteers settled down to listen to a presentation. Dr Andy Young, Subject Group Leader, Mechanical Engineering at Hallam University told us about the Government’s new Pathways 2050 web tool which highlights the choices the UK has to make as we move to […]
Tom’s Sustainability Report
I’m currently undertaking a voluntary placement at Sheffield Renewables as part of my university degree on a flexible part-time basis while studying Business Management at Sheffield Hallam University. As part of my work for Sheffield Renewables, I am required by my university to keep a diary of every day I work, and more recently was […]
Waterwheels
A model water wheel that was built many years ago by one of our volunteers and water power enthusiast Rowan Watson-Taylor, has recently been restored and used in our current shop window display in the city centre. Rowan has given us the following information about water wheels: Water wheels are of tremendous historical importance in […]
Successful First Meeting with Engineers Without Borders
Sheffield Renewables has made significant steps in enhancing their relationship with Engineers Without Borders. Based at the University, the Sheffield branch of EWB represents an obvious source of great potential, with many young engineers looking for opportunities to put their skills and ideas into practice. Using presentations put together by the SR communications team, points […]
“Off-Grid” – still a novelty rather than the norm
The Zed Factory (Zero (fossil) Energy Development) is currently awaiting planning permission for its new PortZed zero-carbon housing development in Shoreham, East Sussex. The apartment complex is designed to be entirely self-powered and will be in the UK’s largest off-grid housing development when complete. A combination of wind turbines, solar thermal, photovoltaic cells and heavy […]
Jordan Dam Planning Application Submitted
Sheffield Renewables [1] has submitted an application for planning permission to build a hydro power scheme at Jordan Dam, near Meadowhall. Rob Pilling, Managing Director of Sheffield Renewables said: “This is another important step bringing Jordan Dam water power closer to fruition. It represents a lot of hard work by our volunteers and has been […]
City Centre Display
Come along and see our model of the Jordan Dam scheme in one of the Sheffield Showcase shop windows in town. The Showcase windows are empty shops that can be booked to advertise businesses or community groups. We have a window on Cambridge St, just off Pinstone St near Debenham’s. Our exhibition will be there […]
Renewed Website Up and Running
Sheffield Renewables’ new website has now gone live, with a range of subtle changes which make accessing the organisation’s growing content of news and resources easier for all to access. The simple but effective layout makes navigating the site a breeze. You can easily switch from news to resources to upcoming events on the titlebar, […]
Sheffield Renewables AGM 2011
It was good to see so many members and some non-members at our second Sheffield Renewables AGM last Wednesday. Five new core volunteer members were welcomed and three who came to the meeting were presented with their share certificates. Rob Pilling gave a very interesting summing up of the past 18 months. His report will […]
Kelham Island Wheel – Have your say!
As part of the planning process, the council is inviting comments on our application for permission to install a water wheel on Kelham Island. Comments from local people are taken into account when the final decision is made. This is a chance to have your say and tell the council whether you think the scheme […]
The Kelham Island Wheel: Views from the Hydro Team
Sheffield Renewbles has been working with the Council and the industrial museum to develop plans for the Kelham Island wheel for over 2 years. This has involved feasibility assessment, flow tests, site surveys, environmental assessment, flood risk assessment, preparation of planning and abstraction documents, extended discussions with project partners, planning for fund raising, financial modelling, […]
Hydro Schemes Reach Second Round of EU Funding
It has been a good start to 2011 for Sheffield Renewables! We’ve had some very encouraging news about securing funding for our proposed hydro schemes at Jordan Dam and Kelham Island. Amidst strong competition from 60 other projects we’ve succeeded in the first stage of our application to the European Regional Development Fund Sheffield Renewables […]
Model Making Update
Originally posted on 4 February 2011 The model making group is in the final stages of making the model of how Jordan’s Dam will look with the Archimedes screw in place. The contours and new concrete channel are all in place and the first coat of paint is on the ‘grass’. We had some debate […]
February 2011 Newsletter
Originally posted on 3 February 2011 The February 2010 Newsletter can be downloaded here. We hope you enjoy reading it and post any public comments in the space provided below.
Model Making Update
Originally posted on 11 January 2011 On Sunday we made a good start to the model of Jordan Dam being built by the Model Making team. Alison and Chris brought along a model of the power house and built the walls of the channel, the fish pass and the base for the archimedes screw. If […]
Hydropower at Kelham Island Moves a Step Closer
Originally posted on 8 December 2010 Sheffield Renewables [1] has submitted an application for planning permission to build a hydropower scheme on Kelham Island. The project is a collaboration with Regeneration Officers at Sheffield City Council, and Kelham Island Museum, part of Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust. John Hamshere, Chief Executive of Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust […]
Agreement with Yorkshire Water
Originally posted on 24 November 2010 Great news on the Jordan Dam project with Yorkshire Water putting their support in principle behind the scheme. As site owners, this is an important step towards making the scheme happen. Rob Pilling, Managing Director of Sheffield Renewables said “This is great news, demonstrating Yorkshire Water’s confidence in our […]