>Aesthetic arguments aside for the moment, I've often wondered what >power potential there is in the downflow on the Llangollen - 19m litres >a day, average 6' fall on about 20 locks (not counting Hurleston). >John >
Agreed - and even though it might not power a town - it would at least balance the use of power used for back pumping in several locations. -- Malcolm Whether it's economic I don't know (though of course there are sufficient locks and weirs on the system that BW could probably order a standardised low-head turbine) but there must be a lot of energy going to waste in places like the BCN where motorway drainage water goes into the canals - and most flights in the BCN are not in remote areas away from the electricity network. It would be heritage too - there was an electricity-generating turbine drawing from the Old Main Line at the aqueduct north of Netherton. And of course, if BW put turbines into the lock paddle ducts they could pay you for every time you used a lock... Sean
