Coastal Renewable Energy
Introduction
Renewable energy systems receive an ever increasing amount of attention and investment as we move toward a more sustainable energy network and simultaneously aim to address the environmental challenges facing us all. However, why should the implementation of these technologies be limited purely to large commercial scale enterprise? In order to fully realise the potential of renewable energy sources, we must incorporate it at both micro and macro scales, such a process will increase the level of penetration of renewables into our energy system whilst also creating a degree of energy independence for communities who would otherwise be dependent in expensive, privately owned grid connection. Currently, at smaller scales, focus remains on the use of solar and wind energy devices due to their relative level of maturity in the market and subsequent sense of security regarding financial investments.
Coastal communities, however, would greatly benefit from the use of marine based technologies due to their obvious applications in a coastal/island setting. The uptake of these technologies is somewhat inhibited by the lack of information available to those who would benefit from it most: community owned trusts interested in the implementation of renewable generation and storage devices. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a resource which collates publicly available data regarding technology which is currently available and is able to assess the feasibility of selected locations specific to generation or storage.
The scope of this project involves the establishment of a methodology for appraising the available renewable energy resource and recommending a feasible method of either extraction or storage; in the context of island based communities. The process will be founded upon the use of a series of decision matrices which grade locations and devices based upon a series of defined criteria, established through the use of engineering judgement, publicly available data, and through liaison with community trusts. Further, the key deliverable of the project is to be an interactive advisory tool capable of application to a variety of island and coastal scenarios, this is to be supplemented by a detailed database of current marine based generation technologies and various energy storage methods. This may create a resource which can be developed further as part of future projects which may focus on improving the interactivity and accuracy of the tool.
Coastal communities, however, would greatly benefit from the use of marine based technologies due to their obvious applications in a coastal/island setting. The uptake of these technologies is somewhat inhibited by the lack of information available to those who would benefit from it most: community owned trusts interested in the implementation of renewable generation and storage devices. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a resource which collates publicly available data regarding technology which is currently available and is able to assess the feasibility of selected locations specific to generation or storage.
The scope of this project involves the establishment of a methodology for appraising the available renewable energy resource and recommending a feasible method of either extraction or storage; in the context of island based communities. The process will be founded upon the use of a series of decision matrices which grade locations and devices based upon a series of defined criteria, established through the use of engineering judgement, publicly available data, and through liaison with community trusts. Further, the key deliverable of the project is to be an interactive advisory tool capable of application to a variety of island and coastal scenarios, this is to be supplemented by a detailed database of current marine based generation technologies and various energy storage methods. This may create a resource which can be developed further as part of future projects which may focus on improving the interactivity and accuracy of the tool.
Acknowledgements
The content and outcomes of the project could not have been achieved without the support and information provided by a number of parties. Namely, the academic supervisor for the course, Dr. Paul Tuohy, lecturer Dr. Tahsin Tezdogan, Mr. John Booth of Eigg Electric, PhD student Mr. Russell Pepper, and industry based contacts Mr. Neil Phillips of Positive Solutions Glasgow, and Ms. Ashlihan Penley of Suspower.
