GSSG is examining the feasibility of installing hydro-electric generation on the weir adjacent to the Thames Lock.
Read the background story in the
Oxford Mail.
It is possible that an Archimedes Spiral might be used on the weir, but that is still
being studied (see thread below). That type of facility has been installed on the River Dart, which is the UK's third operational Archimedes Spiral in operation. A picture of the Archimedes Spiral that is used in the River Dart Country Park Hydro-electric Plant is shown below.
The Spiral on our weir would be less than half this length because the weir head is less, but the diameter of ours will be twice as much to generate the power we want. We won't have a housing at the top as we'll use an hydraulic power takeoff linking all three with a generator in a small building near the lock-keeper's house.
Click to see a video of the Spiral in operation
Three more of these turbines will become operational in the UK over the course of this year.