UK hydraulics specialist MGR Fluid Power has designed, manufactured and handed over the first of four bespoke hydraulic operating systems to be installed at Nottingham’s Holme Pierrepoint hydro power plant on the River Trent. The systems will be used to actuate an axial-flow turbine.

MGR said the 2m-diameter hydro system uses an Internet connection to communicate with the control panel, alerting operators if there is an operational issue. The relevant information can be transmitted via a mobile phone or a tablet device, meaning that the system can be managed remotely — from anywhere in the world. The Holme Pierrepoint scheme will be able to generate up to 500kW of electricity.

The turbine itself is being manufactured by Newmills Engineering in Northern Ireland. The latter’s engineering director said: “We only contacted MGR in the first instance for a replacement valve component, but after seeing some of the bespoke work they are capable of, we were keen to work with them on this project. MGR quickly understood our unique specifications and built us a solution in a matter of months.”