Tidal Barrage as an Application for Flood Defence on the Isle of Whithorn

The Project

  • Home
  • The Project
  • Analysis ▿
    • Site Analysis ▹
      • Topography
      • Tidal Data
      • Bathymetry
    • Tidal Barrage ▹
      • Introduction
      • Simplified Tidal Barrage
      • Barrage Location
      • Turbine Position
      • Water Levels
    • Turbine ▹
      • Kaplan Turbine
      • Time-stepping Method
      • Turbine Tunnel
      • Turbine Units
      • Power Calculations
    • Shiplock
    • Seawall
  • Conclusions ▿
    • Impact Assessment
    • Legal Framework
    • Cost
    • Demand Matching
  • The Team
  • Acknowledgements ▿
    • References
    • Useful Links

BACKGROUND

The main objective of this project is to reduce the flood potential of the Isle of Whithorn. The flood potential of the village is the highest when combined effects – severe storms coming from the Southwest, low atmospheric pressure and high tide – take place at the same time. The harbour especially is affected by getting flooded from two sides: From the front side, facing the harbour quay and from the back, facing the Stinking Port – see figure below.

Therefore, we propose an integrated tidal barrage system to combine flood protection and power generation as well as an improvement of the retaining wall on land, facing the Stinking Port. Unlike conventional flood protection systems, which normally operate just in a few occasions during the year and therefore are highly cost-intensive due to operation and maintenance issues, our tidal barrage is a renewable and environmentally source of power production. This also includes collecting relevant data, such as tidal and bathymetry data, providing a design for the tidal barrage and retaining wall, researching turbine technologies and the grid infrastructure and assessing the overall costs of the project and impacts on the village.

Source: digimap.edina.ac.uk

AIM

Preventing natural flooding with the application of a sea wall and a new barrage system – a tidal barrage without gates – an application which could help to meet the energy demand of the village.

OBJECTIVES

  • Examine potential flood protection improvements; by utilising the tidal barrage as flood protection and by reinforcing the existing retaining wall.
  • Highlight the potentials and applications of a barrage without gates.
  • Research technology for the selection of an appropriate turbine.
  • Economic, environmental and social assessment of the proposed application for the village community.

DELIVERABLES

  • Suitable solution to prevent flooding occurring during heavy storms by utilising the tidal barrage as flood protection.
  • Optimum turbine tunnel diameter and the effect of the diameter on the energy available per cycle and flood risk to the village.
  • Determine the power produced per cycle and the annual power output.
  • Economic, environmental and social assessment of the project.

© 2015 University of Strathclyde | Tidal Barrage