OU on the BBC: Rough Science 6: Colorado - 1. Power

Production team

Kicking off the new series of Rough Science, at their high altitude base in the Rocky Mountains, the team attempt to make the old mill a little more hospitable - they’ve got to supply the rickety old building with gas and electricity. In just three days they have to use natural resources to generate their own power and produce their own gas.

With no time to waste Hermione hits the road in search of coal deposits and Mike works on a gas production system to try and extract coal gas from any coal she can bring back. Her prospecting takes her out of the mountains and in to the flatter plains to the south where, by reading the landscape, she stumbles across a natural gas seep. Methane is bubbling out of a stream bed - suggesting that coal isn’t far below the surface. Hermione eventually tracks it down late in the day in trees near-by and spends a long evening digging with Kate!

Ellen and Jonathan try to crack the electricity problem - finding a nearby fast flowing stream to harness. By piping water down from higher up the stream they can produce enough pressure to hopefully drive a water wheel and a generator. Ellen sets to work building a dam 50 metres above where the water wheel will be - drawing her inspiration from the local beaver population. Jonathan cannibalises a bicycle wheel and using some kitchen utensils comes up with an improvised Pelton water wheel.

By the end of day two the team have some gas, but it’s not burning very brightly and they’ve got a fast spinning water wheel but no power. With so much to still accomplish on the last day it'll be a real rush to complete the challenge before the time runs out...

First broadcast: Wednesday 2 Nov 2005 on BBC TWO

Rough Science 6: Colorado in more depth: