Project overview
Marine renewable energy (MRE) has the potential to be a strategic part of the UK’s approach to decarbonisation and energy security challenges, but engineering solutions to the high cost of energy are still needed. Many of the UK’s estuaries have significant tidal range and flow rates and therefore appreciable tidal power potential, but are also at risk of coastal flooding, exacerbated by climate induced sea level rise.
The focus of this project is on the potential synergy between tidal power generation in estuaries (through arrays of turbines or barrages) and flooding prevention through surge barriers, such as has been recently proposed at the ‘Centre Port’ in East Anglia. These would have many potential impacts – which could be positive or negative – on ecosystems, amenity value, transportation and other estuary users. This project will seek to understand such synergy, the potential for renewable energy power, environmental impacts coupled with engaging on requirements with Local Authorities (LA) and other estuary stakeholders.
The focus of this project is on the potential synergy between tidal power generation in estuaries (through arrays of turbines or barrages) and flooding prevention through surge barriers, such as has been recently proposed at the ‘Centre Port’ in East Anglia. These would have many potential impacts – which could be positive or negative – on ecosystems, amenity value, transportation and other estuary users. This project will seek to understand such synergy, the potential for renewable energy power, environmental impacts coupled with engaging on requirements with Local Authorities (LA) and other estuary stakeholders.
