THEME 1:
Low carbon energy generation, storage and distribution
Research priority 3 - Marine energy
Marine energy is a zero carbon energy source in which the UK presently has the lead. Marine renewable energy includes;
- Tidal range which uses tidal barrage or lagoon technologies to harness the rise and fall of the tide.
- Tidal stream which uses underwater turbines to exploit fast flowing currents in the water.
- Wave power which is gathered by equipment placed primarily offshore to gather energy carried in waves
Energy obtained from the marine environment is low carbon and sustainable. Energy produced from the tide is a completely predictable form of energy, while waves can be predicted in advance. This consistency reduces problems associated with supply and demand fluctuations from the grid. There is significant opportunity for marine energy to contribute to our future sustainable energy mix.
Wales is well suited to engage in the marine energy sector. With 13.5m tidal ranges, tidal velocities in excess of 8 knots, consistent waves and offshore winds, Wales has the enviable opportunity of becoming a World class nation for research, development and innovation within the marine energy sector. Wales is well suited to engage with the marine energy manufacturing and construction industries as there is already a good base of heavy industrial companies to build devices, a number of large ports with good facilities, major cement manufacturing and aggregate producing sources, strong university support, Pembrokeshire Energy Technium and a strong commitment to all of this technology in the “Renewable Energy Route Map for Wales”.
LCRI benefits from multidisciplinary expertise in marine energy research. Hydro-environmental modelling, including use of the physical model of the Severn Estuary will be undertaken in the Hydro-environmental Research Centre (HRC) at the School of Engineering, Cardiff University. Computational Fluid Dynamics will be carried out within the School of Engineering at Swansea University. Biological monitoring and hydrographic measurements relating will be undertaken in the School of Environment, Swansea University and School of Earth Sciences, Cardiff University. The Centre for Applied Marine Sciences (CAMS) at Bangor University will examine oceanographic impacts of marine energy, while the Centre for Research into Environment and Health (CREH) at Aberystwyth University will examine effects on sea water quality. University research vessels Noctiluca (Swansea) and Guiding Light (Cardiff) will be available for use in the research. In addition to cross cutting research themes throughout the Welsh universities, the group is further strengthened through partnerships with experts representing marine energy developers, contractors, utility companies and environmental groups.
Case study 1 – A multidisciplinary project between Cardiff and Swansea Universities investigating tidal stream energy in the Bristol Channel and off the north-west coast of Anglesey has been undertaken. This project identified the protocols necessary to fully characterise potential tidal stream device deployment sites. Computer models, using real data from the groups research vessels, were generated that predicted the effect of tidal energy devices on their environment.
Case study 2 - Tidal Energy Ltd (TEL), a Cardiff based tidal energy company have confirmed plans to develop a tidal stream test site in Ramsay Sound, off the Pembrokeshire coast. The company plans to install and monitor its Deltastream tidal stream energy device to harness the excellent tidal flows in the sound, whilst minimising impact on the environment. Swansea University is currently working with TEL to undertake underwater sound measurements at the site of interest and to look at ways in which any impact of noise associated with development can be minimised and mitigated.
Case study 3 - The Hydro-environmental Research Centre at Cardiff University are investigating the potential far-field and close-field impacts of various marine renewable energy schemes proposed for the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel using the Centre’s various models. Emphasis has focused on assessing the potential hydro-environmental impacts of proposed barrages, coastally attached lagoons and arrays of stream turbines including the implications for geomorphological and flood risk changes together with investigating the potential energy output of the schemes.
Case study 4 - Wave Dragon Wales Ltd is planning to install the worlds largest wave energy convertor around 2-3 miles off the Pembrokeshire coast. This project has been supported through environmental modelling undertaken at Swansea University. Computational modelling of the mixing effects of the Wave Dragon turbine discharge have been undertaken which have examined changes in temperature and salinity gradients in the water column.
Key contact: Professor Mark Cross, School of Engineering, Swansea University.
