Høm Mølle - The Mill Høm Mølle

Source: Lokalbladet Ringsted 13 December 1995

Høm Mølle gets heat from the waters of the stream. Ever since the Grønbek family took over the mill farm Høm Møllegård and its mill house and turbine casing 13 years ago, they have been planning to exploit the energy which was originally used for the mill - water. The Høm water mill was established by a royal charter around the year 1530. In February this year, turbine consultant B. Gercke passed "gold-broen" (the barren bridge) on the road to the mill as he had done so many times. Right here, about 1400 litres of water per second were splashing through the sluice gate down into the cement for no use whatever. After all, this corresponds to 17 kWh per hour. The turbine consultant contacted Mr. Grønbek who was determined to start the production of "green" electricity for the large main building within the end of the year. The relevant authorities were consulted and the county, municipality and SEAS were positive and helpful during the entire process. That the county this summer was about to extend and improve the road bridge by the mill did only make the process easier. On Saturday November 25, the turbine was ready. Water was coming in, the switch to the power supply system was connected and everything was working according to plan. The only thing missing was water. There were only 200 litres per second. Variations are what make life exciting, also when it comes to water. It is evident that there is enough water for the turbine, the problem is how it is spread across the year. Carl Poulsen, who takes lodgings at Høm Mølle, recalls how water power was used during the German occupation of Denmark when people were cutting peat in the mill area. They needed an electric motor for the transporter and breaking rollers. The previous owner of the mill, Troels Findsen, and Carl Poulsen went to the Grønlandsgårdene near Vrangstrup where they bought a 15 HP DC dynamo, which the turbine could drive and through the medium of peat, Høm Mølle also got heat from the waters of the stream during the war via the turbine, dynamo and peat for the stove.