Archimedes screw
In England, i've seen a 'reverse' Archimedes screw operate a community power plant. There, water is diverted from a river, through the screw mechanism and that generates electricity. However, the apparatus in this photo, two of three screws forming the J.U. Smitgemaal pumping station in the Netherlands, performs what is thought to be the original historic concept of taking water from lower to higher levels.
In this instance, water is taken up from the low-lying Albasserwaard polders, discharged into the River Lek and hence to the North Sea. Opened in 1972, the station has a capacity of 1.500 cubic litres per minute...which is a lot! It replaced the work of eight traditional windmills.
Archimedes screw
In England, i've seen a 'reverse' Archimedes screw operate a community power plant. There, water is diverted from a river, through the screw mechanism and that generates electricity. However, the apparatus in this photo, two of three screws forming the J.U. Smitgemaal pumping station in the Netherlands, performs what is thought to be the original historic concept of taking water from lower to higher levels.
In this instance, water is taken up from the low-lying Albasserwaard polders, discharged into the River Lek and hence to the North Sea. Opened in 1972, the station has a capacity of 1.500 cubic litres per minute...which is a lot! It replaced the work of eight traditional windmills.