These are some of the sites Stour Power has considered since its formation.
Solar – Sudbury Arts Centre
It's a Grade I listed building – we contacted Historic England who agreed to the idea of solar on the roof as there is a parapet meaning the panels would not be seen. We contacted the Churches Conservation Trust, who carried out the work to make St Peter's an Arts Centre. CCT had been investigating solar power with The Friends of St Peter's. We were advised that The Friends were taking the lead. We offered help and advice – project is still at the 'potential projects' stage.
Solar – Thomas Gainsborough School
We visited the site – and the roof! There was great enthusiasm and we were moving forward but were then informed that Unity Schools Partnership was seeking funding directly … success!! But not a Stour Power project.
Hydro – Bures Mill and Cornard Lock
The water flow was measured at Bures Mill and Cornard Lock. Cornard Lock has the potential to become a project. Still working on it.
Solar – Long Melford School and Bures School
Long Melford Primary School is keen to investigate further. A link has been made with The Diocesan Trust but, in order to make progress we need other primary schools to join in. Some interest has been expressed by Bures School. Positive!
Hydro – Hartest Hydro
This imaginative scheme would involve two reservoirs at the high and low points in the village with PV panels over the reservoirs. When the PV panels are generating, or grid electricity is very cheap, water would be pumped from the lower to upper reservoir. When grid electricity is expensive the water would fall back through a turbine. Hartest Village Power remains a 'potential project.'
Solar – Acton Lane Former Landfill Site
This began with a look at the roofs on the business parks on Acton Lane. It transferred to the land opposite. It is currently grassed with a hedge around the site. Suffolk CC owns the site and is keen for it to be used for solar as what can be done is limited due to its former use. SCC has also discussed a similar site being included in this project. Positive!
Wind
We haven't worked on any sites for wind power as yet. When wind was used for milling in the 19th century there were around 500 windmills in Suffolk so there is obviously potential!
Heat Extraction
SCC has a project taking heat out of the River Gipping to use to heat public buildings in Ipswich. We are investigating if a similar approach could be used on the Stour. Exciting!