Active Energy: Three Mills – open workshop for National Mills Weekend

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11am-4pm Saturday 14th May 2016
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To celebrate National Mills Weekend The Geezers will be working with artist Loraine Leeson and engineer Toby Borland in front of House Mill at the Three Mills heritage site to construct a stream wheel for later installation in the Lower Lea. The wheel will be activated by the outflow of water from the mill and will power an aerator to help oxygenate the water and counteract the effects of pollution on the river’s fish and wildlife.

This current phase of the project is taking place as part of the Hydrocitizenship initiative.

New Active Energy turbine planned for the Lower Lea

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The next phase of the Active Energy project is to take place in the Lower Lea, where the outflow from part of the Three Mills heritage site will be utilized to drive a small turbine. This will in turn power an aerator that will help oxygenate the water to counteract the effects of pollution and support survival of fish. This is a continuing collaboration with The Geezers and engineer Toby Borland. Other partners include Thames21, House Mill and Middlesex University via the Hydrocitizenship research project.
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Launch of Lambeth Floating Marsh

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On the evening of 15th September 2015 projections of river organisms were projected along the Thames embankment in Lambeth  to draw attention to the importance of supporting biodiversity along urban rivers.

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This arts/science collaboration between artist Loraine Leeson and scientist Nithin Rai includes new reed bed habitat for micro organisms and invertebrates in long basket structures attached to the hull of the Dutch barge Tamesis Dock. Find out more at www.lambethfloatingmarsh.org.uk.

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Celebrating the Active Energy turbine

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On Tuesday 8th October a new design of tidal turbine was tested for the first time on the River Thames. Over fifty people including John Biggs, GLA member for City and East, attended an event to celebrating this highspot in the five-year Active Energy project, where a small-scale turbine was moored alongside the Tamesis Dock barge to test its functionality. It is the first turbine of this scale developed for slow moving tidal rivers and has potential for low-cost replication for developing nations overseas._MG_2532

The turbine was developed and built by engineer Toby Borland in consultation with a group of older men attending the Geezers Club at an AgeUK centre in East London. Five years previously when artist Loraine Leeson, who is leading the project, asked the Geezers what technology could significantly improve their lives, they decided that this would be to use energy generated by the River Thames to power their community. Since that time they have been working with the interdisciplinary team that has gathered around this project to turn their dream into reality.

Active Energy Turbine installation October 2013 from Loraine Leeson on Vimeo.

The project has been supported throughout by the expertise and generosity of a host of individuals and organisations including the arts organisation SPACE; social scientist Professor Ann Light of Northumbria University; engineer Stephen Dodds, Emeritus Professor at University of East London and renowned for developing the control system for the European Space Commission; Tamesis Dock owner and scientist Dr. Nithin Rai; Jamie Hodge who provided expert help with marketing and publicity; and Fran Gallardo who provided graphic design. The turbine has now been taken away for improvements. Further funding is being raised to allow the work to continue.•Turbine installation x 2_MG_2504IMG_0903 Edited twoGeezerpowerADJUSTED•Presentation x 2IMG_2551

Active Energy 2008-ongoing

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Current project promoting citizen-led innovation led by Loraine Leeson in collaboration with The Geezers, a group of senior men in Bow East London, and engineer Toby Borland.

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Join us, London Assembly Member for City & East John Biggs and Shadow International Development Minister Rushanara Ali MP at 6.30pm on Tuesday 8th October for drinks and to witness the launch of the Active Energy underwater turbine on a Thames barge close to the Houses of Parliament.

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VOLCO 2002-09

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A virtual planet in cyberspace created by more than a thousand children

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The Catch 2002

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Public artwork on Fanshawe Avenue/Longbridge Road roundabout Barking, London involving over three hundred children.

Where are you going, and what do you wish?
The old moon asked the three.
We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we…
Anon

The Catch at Night

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