Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 / 13
About This Presentation
Title:

Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study

Description:

Focus is on tidal range technologies as this is where the main resource of the ... Initial assessment completed, focussing on whether schemes could result in ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:49
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 14
Provided by: Suzann140
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study


1
Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study
2
Background to the study
  • Terms of reference announced in January 08
  • Aim of the study To enable Government to decide
    whether it could support a tidal power scheme in
    the Severn Estuary and if so on what terms?
  • Focus is on tidal range technologies as this is
    where the main resource of the Estuary lies
  • Study expected to last 2 years with public
    consultation after each phase
  • Phase 1 (2008) high level issues, scheme
    options appraisal, and scope of Strategic
    Environmental Assessment and other work
  • Phase 2 (2009-10) Strategic Environmental
    Assessment, and analysis of costs, risks,
    benefits and overall impact assessment
  • Severn tidal power is being considered against
    the alternative options for meeting UK goals
    including energy saving, nuclear and other
    renewable sources

3
Why do the study?
  • Two key energy imperatives tackling climate
    change, and ensuring a secure supply of energy
  • In helping to meet these challenges, Government
    has committed to
  • Reduce UK greenhouse gas emissions by 80 by 2050
  • Produce 15 of our UK energy from renewable
    resources by 2020
  • The huge tidal resources of the Severn Estuary
    could make a significant contribution
  • Providing long term access to a renewable,
    indigenous energy resource
  • Significant CO2 savings annually and contributing
    to UKs renewable energy targets
  • Helping to reduce UKs dependency on imports of
    gas
  • Generating positive economic and employment
    benefits
  • But it has costs, risks and disadvantages as
    well that must be factored in to any decision

4
Feasibility Study Workstreams
  • Environment impacts on biodiversity and
    wildlife, flood management, geomorphology, water
    quality, landscape, compliance with environmental
    legislation
  • Engineering and Technical options appraisal,
    costs, design and construction, grid linkage,
    supply chain
  • Economic financing, ownership, energy market
    impacts
  • Regional impact on economy and society
  • Planning and consents regulatory compliance
  • Stakeholder engagement and communication

5
Map of proposed options
6
Progress so far Environmental Impacts
  • Scheme would slow the tides high tides behind
    it would fall by approx. 1 metre, and low tides
    would be higher.
  • Scheme would reduce designated inter-tidal
    areas, displacing protected bird species and
    threatening migratory fish. Scale of impact
    varies between the different schemes.
  • Work is underway to assess these impacts and how
    far they could be mitigated. Otherwise, they must
    be compensated for under environmental
    legislation.
  • A scheme is not likely to affect upstream
    fluvial flooding (such as those in Tewkesbury in
    2007). Some schemes could help protect against
    storm surge flooding from the sea.
  • Further work is considering the impact of
    reduced tides on the suspended sediment in the
    water and on water quality.

7
Progress so far Regional Economic Impacts
  • Initial assessment completed, focussing on
    whether schemes could result in significant
    impacts on South West England and Wales
  • Considered direct and indirect impact of
    construction and operation on jobs and regional
    economy
  • Sectors considered include construction,
    transport, fishing, tourism, accommodation,
    residential and population, land use and planning
  • Study concluded that there will be gains and
    losses for South West England and Wales, but on
    balance the picture is likely to be positive
  • Net benefits are proportionate to scale of the
    scheme
  • Currently scoping the further work that needs to
    be done in phase 2

8
Proposed shortlist of 5 schemes
  • Beachley Barrage
  • Bridgwater Bay Lagoon
  • Cardiff-Weston Barrage
  • Fleming Lagoon
  • Shoots Barrage

9
Map of proposed shortlist
10
Embryonic technologies
  • Schemes proposed for the shortlist are those we
    believe could be feasible
  • Some schemes, such as a tidal reef and tidal
    fence, are not sufficiently developed for more
    detailed analysis, but may be less
    environmentally damaging than proven technologies
  • New 500k fund has been launched by Defra, Welsh
    Assembly Government and South West RDA to support
    the development of embryonic technologies
  • Details of scope, funding criteria and timescale
    being worked up with partners
  • Embryonic technologies supported by this
    innovative technologies fund will be taken into
    account before decisions are taken on whether to
    go ahead with a Severn tidal power scheme

11
What were doing now The consultation
  • Before any decision can be taken on whether or
    not to support a Severn tidal power scheme,
    there is much more work and evidence gathering to
    be done
  • To help inform this further work, a public
    consultation was launched on 26 January in
    Bristol to seek views on
  • - the process by which the long-list of schemes
    have been short listed
  • - the proposed short list of schemes for further
    investigation
  • - the issues for further study, including the
    scope of the Strategic Environmental
    Assessment
  • Public consultation period is 12 weeks, with the
    closing date on 23 April 2009

12
Whats next?
  • Phase 2 (now 2010)
  • Further studies on the impact of the various
    shortlisted schemes, including work on supply
    chain, impact on energy markets and grid studies,
    costs and engineering aspects, financing options,
    impact on regional economies, and an SEA on the
    environment and social impacts.
  • Examine shortlisted schemes compliance with
    environmental legislation and suggest ways in
    which adverse environmental effects could be
    mitigated or compensated for.
  • 2010
  • Second public consultation on the evidence
    gathered and analysis done, in order to inform
    the decision to proceed, the terms of proceeding,
    and a single preferred option.
  • Embryonic technologies supported by the
    innovative technologies fund will be considered
    again at this stage.

13
Further Information
General information on the study can be found
at www.decc.gov.uk/severntidalpower To read and
download the evidence gathered in phase 1 and to
take part in the consultation
http//severntidalpowerconsultation.decc.gov.uk T
o contact the central team within DECC
severntidalpowerunit_at_decc.gsi.gov.uk
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com