Renewable Energy Sources on a Peninsula: A Comparison Between the Use of Marine & Wind Energy Sources
By
Shaun Thomas Bagnall
BSc(Hons) Architectural Technology | Nottingham Trent University | Final Year (201617)
BSc(Hons) Architectural Technology | Nottingham Trent University | Final Year (201617)
Contents
- Abstract
- Hypothesis
- Primary Aim
- Objectives
- Research Methods
- Literacy Review
- Bibliography
Abstract
The concept and utilisation of sustainable technologies has been the forefront of debates and confrontation over the past few decades. As an island, the UK is fortunate as it has the ability to take advantage on two major forms of sustainable energy; wind and marine renewable sources. By exploiting these energies, the UK can target the reduction of its greenhouse gases as well as improving its economy in parallel.
While the expansion of wind (turbine) farms on and off shore has continued since the installation of the first turbines in 1991, the use of marine renewable technologies is one we do not see exploited enough, even though it has the potential to play a huge part towards the sustainable future of the UK (Mcgrath. M, 2013).
As the author is currently working on a masterplan development of a coastal site on a peninsula, he wants to be able to utilise the best form of sustainable technology for his development. Therefore, a comparison needs to be distinguished between a currently sited off-shore wind farm and the introduction of marine based renewable energy. The conclusion of this investigation will feed directly into the arrangement and construction of the proposed masterplan.
The concept and utilisation of sustainable technologies has been the forefront of debates and confrontation over the past few decades. As an island, the UK is fortunate as it has the ability to take advantage on two major forms of sustainable energy; wind and marine renewable sources. By exploiting these energies, the UK can target the reduction of its greenhouse gases as well as improving its economy in parallel.
While the expansion of wind (turbine) farms on and off shore has continued since the installation of the first turbines in 1991, the use of marine renewable technologies is one we do not see exploited enough, even though it has the potential to play a huge part towards the sustainable future of the UK (Mcgrath. M, 2013).
"Studies have estimated the UK's total theoretical tidal range
resource at between 25 and 30GWs - enough to supply around 12% of the current
UK electricity demand. The Majority of this is in the Severn Estuary (which has
between 8 and 12GW), with the estuaries and bays of the North West representing
a similar amount and the East Coast a further 5 to 6GW (Department of Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy, 2013).
The author's field of study, looking closely at the technologies of architecture, means that he is always thinking beyond the element of design and construction. He is considering the future of the building; how it will age through time, how it will affect its local vernacular and its impact on the environment. The incorporation of sustainable technology is not something which should merely be considered during a design process in this day and age, the use of sustainable technology is a fundamental and key aspect to any design. As the author is currently working on a masterplan development of a coastal site on a peninsula, he wants to be able to utilise the best form of sustainable technology for his development. Therefore, a comparison needs to be distinguished between a currently sited off-shore wind farm and the introduction of marine based renewable energy. The conclusion of this investigation will feed directly into the arrangement and construction of the proposed masterplan.
Hypothesis
Wind energy will be a more feasible option for application on the Wirral Peninsula due to the depth of the surrounding water.
Primary Aim
Identify which type of energy provision will be more feasible for the Wirral Peninsula, through calculation of potential yield of coastal / tidal renewable energy sources.
Objectives
- Objective 1 - Explore the current usage of the Wirral Peninsula’s off-shore wind turbine programme; Using websites and books (as noted in Literacy Review), the sources will be used to together information and data on current Burbo Bank off-shoring wind farm
- Objective 2 - Analyse current coastal/tidal renewable energy technologies which can be efficiently utilised around the Wirral Peninsula; Using websites, books and journals (as noted in the Literacy Review), an investigation into the most suitable technologies that can be best utilised for the Wirral Peninsula, considering the geographical data of the River Mersey and River Dee (water depths, tidal patterns, etc)
- Objective 3 - To create a comparison between the use of wind turbines as opposed to marine renewable technologies on the Wirral Peninsula; Analyse of present data of energy yields with that area, use of books and journals (as noted in the Literacy Review), energy diagrams created by author to show energy comparison
- Objective 4 - To evaluate how the incorporation of marine renewable technologies could benefit the Wirral as well as the North-West Region; use of author data and demographic data of the local region, using websites and journal data (as noted in the Literacy Review)
Research Methodology
To answer the title hypothesis posed, I will utilise both
primary and secondary forms of research.
However, due to the nature of the question, the majority of
the research will be secondary data; sources from books, journals, website
(etc) will be assembled and analysed accordingly, to create precise and
cohesive information. Case studies of similar projects / proposals with similar geographical data to that of the authors development will be utilised to produce scientific-based conclusions. The primary research that will be included within
answering this question will be performed by the author; creating
hypothetically energy systems, simulating that of a proposed marine energy
system within the peninsula. This data can be used in comparison to the
present off-shore wind farm (as collated with secondary data).
An overall conclusion and answer to the proposed hypothesis will be discovered through a combination of all the primary and secondary data.
The final answer to the question will have an adverse effect on the final
design of the authors Major Study Project.
Literature Review
The author will be critically reviewing and analysing literature based on marine and wind sustainable technologies, as well as the present application (or hypothetical use) of marine technologies within an estuary/peninsula across the UK.
Currently Read Literature
The author will be critically reviewing and analysing literature based on marine and wind sustainable technologies, as well as the present application (or hypothetical use) of marine technologies within an estuary/peninsula across the UK.
Currently Read Literature
- Baird, C & Cann, M, (2012) Environmental Chemistry [ebook]. International Ed. New York: Freeman, W.H. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sGQdBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA348&dq=tidal+power+against+wind+power&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiS9OHx8YzQAhVBKcAKHVS0C1cQ6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=tidal%20power%20against%20wind%20power&f=false [last accessed 6th November 2016]. [Digitised by Google Books 2012].
- Draper., S. Borthwick, A.G.L. Houlsby, G.T (2013) Energy Potential of a Tidal Fence Deployed near a Coastal Headline. Phil Trans, R Soc A371: 20120176. Available at: http://rsta.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/371/1985/20120176 [ last accessed 6th November 2016]
- Shields, M.A. Payne A.I.L (2014) Marine Renewable Energy Technology and Environmental Interactions. London, Springer. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=hgfFBAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=tidal+power+against+wind+power+wirral&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_na_L74zQAhUhJMAKHQobCd8Q6AEIJzAC#v=onepage&q&f=false [last accessed 6th Novemebr 2016]. [digitised by Google Books 2014]
- Burrows, R. Walkington, I. Yates, N. Hedges, T. Chen, D. Li, M. Zhou, J (2009). Tapping the Tidal Power Potential of the Eastern Irish Sea. Joule Project, University of Liverpool. Available at: http://ukerc.rl.ac.uk/pdf/Tidal_Power_Irish_Sea_Final.pdf [last accessed 6th November 2016]
- Focus (2016) Renewable Energy Focus. 17 (1) (January). Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755008415001088
- Park, Y.H (2017). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Analysis of Characteristics of Dynamic Tidal Power on the West Coast of Korea. 68 (1) (February). Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136403211630658X#
- Ferrer, E (2015). CFD for Wind and Tidal Offshore Turbines [ebook]. Switzerland: Springer. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Y1HgCQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=tidal+power+against+wind+power&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiS9OHx8YzQAhVBKcAKHVS0C1cQ6AEIKjAD#v=onepage&q=tidal%20power%20against%20wind%20power&f=false [digitised 2015]
- Finkl, C.W. Charlier, R.H (2009). Ocean Energy: Tide & Tidal Power [ebook]. Berlin, Springer. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=RKbWnCckHcwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=tidal+power+against+wind+power&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiS9OHx8YzQAhVBKcAKHVS0C1cQ6AEIQzAI#v=onepage&q=tidal%20power%20against%20wind%20power&f=false [digitised 2012].
- Gov.uk (2015). Chapter 6: Renewable Sources of Energy [online]. London. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/547977/Chapter_6_web.pdf
- Lyddon, Chartlotte; Plater, A.J.; Brown, J.M.; Prime, T.; Wolf, J. (2015) The impact of tidal lagoons on future flood risk on the North Wirral and Conwy coastline, UK. Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, 85pp. (National Oceanography Centre Internal Document, No. 16)
- Andrews, H. Roberts, L (2012). Contemporary Geographies of Leisure, Tourism and Mobility. Oxfordshire, Routledge, 103pp. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Su44F1hWMSoC&oi=fnd&pg=PA103&dq=wirral+peninsula+tidal+energy&ots=WJICQ-lZ06&sig=XOSxT_pggou6QaQJG-WhjK4bABI#v=onepage&q&f=false [digitised 2012]
Bibliography
- Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, (2013). Low Carbon Energy: Wave and Tidal Energy - Part of the UK's Energy Mix [online]. Gov.uk. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wave-and-tidal-energy-part-of-the-uks-energy-mix#tidal-range-potential [last accessed: 6th November 2016]
- Mcgrath, M (2013). UK Tidal Power has Huge Potential. BBC News [online]. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20983645 [last accessed: 6th November 2016]
