Results: Searching for 'Ocean Energy'

The role of the UK Energy Research Centre Marine Energy Research Network in developing a route map for marine renewable energy research is described and put into the context of previous and current marine energy research at a national and EU level. A summary of the route mapping process is given based upon the Batelle approach. Justification is provided for route mapping in terms of encouraging cooperation and collaboration within the community to develop a coherent reseach, development and demonstration strategy, which will be used to inform policy makers and funding bodies. Some preliminary outputs from the network are presented in the paper to encourage discussion.

This briefing paper examines how renewables in Scotland are shaped by decisions taken by the Scottish Government, the UK Government and the EU. Drawing on interviews with stakeholders, it explores the potential impact of Brexit on Scottish renewables.

Brexit has the potential to disrupt this relatively supportive policy environment in three ways in regulatory and policy frameworks governing renewable energy; access to EU funding streams; and trade in energy and related goods and services.

Our briefing identifies varying levels of concern among key stakeholders in Scotland. Many expect policy continuity, irrespective of the future UK-EU relationship. There is more concern about access to research and project funding, and future research and development collaboration, especially for more innovative renewable technologies. The UK will become a third country forthe purposes of EU funding streams, able to participate, but not lead on renewables projects, and there is scepticism about whether lost EU funding streams will be replaced at domestic levels.

While there is no real risk of being unable to access European markets even in a No-Deal Brexit scenario, trade in both energy and related products and services could become more difficult and more expensive affecting both the import of specialist labour and kit from the EU and the export of knowledge-based services. Scotlands attractiveness for inward investment may also be affected.

• Using a systems engineering approach to the development of wave energy technologies
• Using ESME (ETI’s modelling tool)
• Least Cost Optimisation - Wave
• Least Cost Optimisation - Tidal
• Installed Capacity
• Analysis
• Conclusions

The following points emerged as the most important:

• There needs to be a link between physical modelling of devices and biological models or data sets
• The impact on sea-mammals, birds and fish should be urgently addressed
• Any Environmental Monitoring should be in 3 stages: before, during and after device installation, and each stage should ideally take place over at least 12 months to take into account seasonal effects. Time is not on the device developer’s side
• There is very little data available on the movement of birds and sea mammals, and nothing can be ascertained about their interactions with devices until in situ data/observations are made (e.g. at EMEC)
• Continuous monitoring is very expensive, time consuming and difficult. At present there is little funding available and what funding there is, is very difficult to release
• The boundaries of acceptability have to be defined to assist developers.
• There should be an agreed environmental monitoring programme that all developers are encouraged to follow at all sites (bearing in mind particular sensitivities of site)
• It is not clear what parameters should be measured and what is the best technology available for an environmental monitoring programme.
• A monitoring programme should concentrate on possible showstoppers for marine developers

• There is a demonstrable route to making tidal stream energy competitive with other low carbon technologies;tidal stream has the potential to be a material part of the future UK energy system
• Tidal energy is capable of supplying 20-100TWh of the 350TWh of the UK’s annual electricity demand
• Potential impact of the tidal industry on UK GDP is estimated to be in the range of £1.4 - 4.3billion
• The cost of energy from tidal stream arrays can compete with other low-carbon sources
• The sector has transitioned in recentyears from small-scale prototype devices, through to full-scale demonstration and early commercial arrays are now in development
• The UK leads the rest of the world in the development of tidal devices
• Significant cost reduction will require coordinated investment in supply chain innovation, processes and peopleArray and device design integration is vital

• Even with aggressive cost reduction and innovation activities, current attenuator wave energy technologies are highly unlikely to meet the ETI/UKERC marine energy roadmap targets, and are therefore unlikely to make a significant contribution to the UK energy system in the coming decades
• Radical new wave energy extraction and conversion system approaches are needed to reduce cost and increase energy extraction and reliability.This will provide a trajectory towards lower cost solutions in the long term.

This Marine Energy Technology Roadmap, jointly developed by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) and the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) represents a major update to the ETI/UKERC 2010 Marine Energy Technology Roadmap, a document created to identify and prioritise the key technology and deployment issues faced by the marine renewable energy sector in the UK. This update has primarily been created to reflect the changes and advancements within the marine energy sector that have taken place since 2010, but it also recognises the engineering challenges that remain and that must be overcome to enable the industry to progress rapidly to early array deployments.

• First, variation in the levels of ambient turbulence has little effect on the power and thrust coefficient, and a minimal effect also on the velocity profiles in the immediate wake.
• Second, the differences that are observed in the wake velocity profiles with varying levels ofthe ambient turbulence intensity occur further downstream, and become more significant progressing downstream before beginning to fade out. Such differences should be accounted for by a far-wake model which is sensitive to turbulence, as is indeed the case with GL Garrad Hassan’s existing WindFarmer software

• First, we verify that the FORTRAN subroutine (DRAGFO) used to simulate a tidal turbine in Telemac2D produces the same results when launched with one processor as it does with several processors.
• Next, a simple flow than the wake downstream a tidal turbine is analyzed: this simple case is the wake of a flow around a cylinder, which is simulated for two models of turbulence in Telemac2D (k-epsilon model and constant viscosity model). The validated results from this analysis (mesh size, turbulence model ...) were used to get some guidance in our study which concerns the flow around the tidal turbines and not around cylinders.
•  Third, the wake of a tidal turbine in a flume is simulated and validated in Telemac2D using laboratory measurements made by the LNHE department of EDF. The methodology for simulating one tidal turbine is defined, in particular a drag force is applied on a rectangular box in order to simulate the drag force due to the turbine.
• Once it was established that a single tidal turbine in a flume could be modeled, two varying alignments of tidal turbine arrays were simulated in Telemac2D using the same two models of turbulence.At this stage, two methodologies are defined:
  • the first one for the method where a rectangular box is used for each turbine, and
  • the second methodology for the global box containing allturbines method. In this second case, the methodology also explains how to calculate an equivalent drag coefficient to simulate a set of turbines in a large scale basin.
• In both methodologies, the way of choosing the mesh size (near and far from the rectangular box(es) and in the transition area ranging from a fine mesh to a larger mesh), the turbulence model, the drag coefficient, and the limitations are given.

• First, it is verified that the subroutine (SOURCE) used to simulate a tidal turbine in Telemac3D produces the same results when launched with one processor as it does with several processors.
• Second, a tidal turbine in a flume is simulated with Telemac3D.

• The models show good agreement in the tidal dynamics outside of Pentland Firth.
• Each model uses different parameters for seabed coefficient resulting in small differences within the Pentland Firth.
• There are significant differences in the way the tides are modelled making it difficult to compare predicted power using different turbine configurations
• There is insufficient field data available to determine which model is better reproducing the real tidal dynamics.
• There appears to be general agreement as to the magnitude of the powers each of the models are producing.
• However, a detailed comparison of the differing methodologies for the implementation of tidal turbines is difficult because of the differences in the modelling of the tidal dynamics within the Pentland Firth.

• Section 1: the potential synergies that can be achieved by developing the core modules in a fashion consistent with standard Garrad Hassan (GH) software architectures are briefly explored. The current architecture ofthe existing wave energy converter (WEC) hydrodynamic modelling tools developed by GH is also described and an overview of the envisaged structure for the tools developed under PerAWaT presented;
• Section 2: an overview of the wave input to the core modules is presented. Quantities such as the wave spectrum and the key spectral parameters are introduced and defined. Estimation techniques to derive the wave spectrum from real data are also considered, and a preliminary definition of the target capabilities is given;
• Section 3: The basis of both the frequency and the time-domain models is presented using linear (Airy) wave theory. An introduction to the principles of fluid-structure interaction modelling, with emphasis to the Boundary-Element Method, is given and applications to WEC modelling described in detail. Particular emphasis is given to the practical aspects of solving the time-domain equation of motion, the selection of a supporting hydrodynamic solver and the modelling of the external forces (namely the power take-off force, the mooring force and the impact of the control methodology). The Section is concluded with a review of the current capabilities and a preliminary implementation specification (to be further expanded in WG1 WP1 D1B);
• Section 4: the optimisation methodology is overviewed and examples of WEC array optimisation exercises conducted to date are reviewed. Different optimisation techniques are presented in preparation of the implementation stage. In addition, three scenarios which correspond to the phased development of the core layout optimiser are introduced, in a preliminary definition of the target capabilities (to be further expanded in WG1 WP1 D1B);
• Section 5: the implementation strategy (interim) for the methodology is described:
  • Key design variables (when optimising an array of WECs)
  • Description of representative scenarios to assess the functionality of the developed software
  • Overview of performance vs. survivability conditions

• the generation of ambient flow conditions,
• method of measurement of time-varying flow- and mechanical parameters,
• design of small-scale model of a tidal stream turbine and
• design of a rotor suitable for the low Reynolds number of these experiments.

• The preliminary work to better understand the turbine using more basic modellingapproaches.
• the development and application of the CFD model of the turbine.

• the development of a basic analytical model of a high solidity turbine, in order to support the design of a credible turbine rotor; and
• the CFD analysis of this design, in order to produce results for the velocity field in the wake of the turbine.

• Hydrodynamic interactions between WECs and TECs operating in arrays can be significant thereforemodelling of array effects is essential when estimating the energy yield of potential project.
• Wave tank testing of WEC arrays is extremely demanding and needs to be carefully planned and analysed. In particular the effects of reflections can be of the same order as effects of the interactions you are trying to measure. Despite the challenges, it is possible to measure significant interactions in the tank.
• Linear potential flow theory (used in WaveDyn) is sufficient to accurately model device interactions. Weakly non-linear wave kinematics (non-breaking) do not have a significant influence on device response and performance for operational conditions.
• The spectral approach in WaveFarmer is capable of accurately predicting energy yield for a large wave farm.
• Model-scale & full-scale validation of WaveDyn has been invaluable as has model scale validation of WaveFarmer. However, full-scale validation of WaveFarmer will be essential when data becomes available.
• The mean performance of a tidal device can be predicted usinga Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) model, however, more work is required in order to `correct’ this type of model so as to accurately capture wake recovery.
• Basin scale modelling using linear momentum actuator disc theory (LMADT) for one row of devices was successful. The limitations of the model are well understood, and the upper limit of energy extraction compares well to analytical methods. However, 3D models such as TidalFarmer are required for detailed assessment of annual energy production
• .Whilst progress has been made on the analysis of blockage effects of arrays and devices, further work is required to fully understand and model the flow reduction through the array.

• The launch of WaveFarmer & TidalFarmer is only the first step in increasing project developers’ confidence in their return on investment in WEC & TEC arrays.
• Effective commercial exploitation will be required to stimulate use of the tools.
• The resulting data generated by full scale deployments will enable further development of the tools and the reduction of uncertainty.
• The reduction of uncertainty could be accelerated by investment in trials to generate full scale data for validation

• A review of the existing literature provides an overview of the available modelling options and also provides a basis for the selection of an appropriate level of model sophistication.
• The GH Blockage model is described and the rationalised modelling approach is justified. The GH Blockage model uses Potential flow theory to evaluate the effect of bounding surfaces and/or other surrounding turbines on a tidal turbine under investigation.
• The model is used to predict the three dimensional flow field in and around the tidal turbine, which enables the change in turbine performance to be predicted. The altered flow field around the turbine is also used in modelling the wake mixing and recovery process.
• A list of key assumptions that the GH Blockage model makes is provided along with the relevant references to existing theory.
• The method by which the mathematical models are implemented into a working code is described, as is the way in which the GH Blockage model to be incorporated within the GH TidalFarmer Beta code.
• Flow diagrams of the GH Blockage model algorithms are presented and examples of the outputs are provided

• A review of the existing literature is presented which provides an overview of both the applicable modelling options and previous experimental campaigns which characterise the wake region of interest.
• The GH near wake model is described and the modelling approach justified.
• The model is used to predict the three dimensional flow field which is then passed to the GH far wake model as an input.
• The GH Blockage model feeds the model when appropriate, providing a corrected rotor thrust and an altered flow field around the turbine.
• A list of key assumptions that the GH near wake model makes is provided along with the relevant references to existing theory.
• The method by which the mathematical models are implemented intoa working code is described, as is the way in which the GH near wake model is to be incorporated within the GH TidalFarmer Beta code.
• Flow diagrams of the GH near wake model algorithms are presented and example outputs provided

1. the detailed hydrodynamic performance of rotors in turbulent flows,
2. the effect of bounding surfaces on the device performance, and
3. the wake form and structures downstream of a tidal device, as a function of flow profile, depth and ambient turbulence.

• Section 1: The scope of the documents and its key objectives 
• ;Section 2: The architectureof the developed code, the core aspects of a multi-body dynamic solver and key time-domain implementation details;
• Section 3: The hydrodynamics module ;
• Section 4: The wave analysis module and its functionality;
• Section 5: The moorings module and its functionality(exemplified via a case study);
• Section 6: The power take-off (PTO) and control modules and their functionality;
• Section 7: The optimiser module and its functionality;
• Section 8: Case studies that outline initial results;
• Section 9: A summary of the key features implemented to date and planned extensions

• Section 1: Introduction
  • Scope of the document and the relationship of this document to other deliverables.
  • Summary of the closely related deliverable WG1 WP2 D1, which describes the physical representation of wave energy converters in a thirdgeneration spectral wave model, is provided,
  • Acceptance criteria for this deliverable
• Section 2: Overview of development strategy
  • Methods for achieving the key desirable characteristics of the new software (flexibility, user-friendliness, and reliability)
  • How the software modification will be carried out on four separate key elements successively, and then the integration of these elements that will provide the final software tool. Key elements:
  • representation of a wave energy converter,
  • location of the wave energy converters,
  • input of wave energy converter parameters,
  • output of wave energy converter power capture.
  • The software development tools which will be used for the project are described and the reason for the specific tool choice is explained.
  • The Microsoft VisualStudio program will be used for interactive development of the code, and the Git source code management (or revisioning) software will be used to manage changes to the code.
• Section 3: Selection of spectral wave model
  • Two open source models, SWAN andTOMAWAC, are identified as good candidates and a close comparison of the two models is carried out.
  • The comparison includes an assessment of the physical processes represented in the models and their ease of use and modification.
  • Two test cases are implemented in both models to aid in the comparison.
  • Although the models solve the same equation in a totally different way, it is shown that the results are very similar, and that neither model can be eliminated as a potential candidate based on physical process representation.
  • The final model choice is TOMAWAC, because it was developed at EDF which is associated withthe PerAWaT project and support for interpretation of the source code is more readily available.
  • However, both models were deemed suitable for the task, and therefore should there be an unforeseen problem with TOMAWAC, it would be possible to proceed with SWAN.
• Section 4: Core elements of software tool
  • Describe seach of the four core elements in detail, and outlines the development process for each of them.
  • New subroutines, and existing subroutines and variables which require modification are identified.
  • Additionally, for each core element the method for verification that the added code is working correctly is described.
• Section 5: Validation of the SpecWec tool
  • Validation of the representation of wave energy converters in a spectral wave model.
  • Two key parameters which will be addressed during the validation process are identified as wave energy converter density, and wave energy converter performance.
  • Because there is no wave farm data available for the validation process, the spectral representation of wave energy converters will be compared with both the time-domain model WaveFarmer being developed at Garrad Hassan, and the wave tank experimental data which is due to be carried out at Queen’s University Belfast as part of the PerAWaT project.

• It is found that surface waves have a detrimental effect on the mean power of the turbine,which is reduced by c. 20% for the waves considered, which is very similar to the power reduction for the bare turbine.
• Mean thrust is also reduced but to a lesser extent.
• Blade thrust and power are observed to fluctuate with significant amplitude as the blade rotates (far more so than for the case of shear flow with no waves reported in D4).
• Blade thrust fluctuates by c. ±10% about its mean value, whilst blade power fluctuates by c. ±100% about its mean value.
• These fluctuations are smaller than those for the bare axial flow turbine(by a factor of around two).
• The maximum blade torque fluctuation is around the same as the mean blade torque, such that the instantaneous torque is rarely negative, compared to the bare axial flow turbine, the blades of which experience long periods of negative power contribution.
• Thus the ducted turbine in sheared flow with waves delivers lower power yield but its blades experience substantially reduced fluctuating load
  
  

• Section 1: Software architecture
• Section 2: Wave inputs to the simulation
• Section 3: Core hydrodynamic modelling algorithms behind the simulation
• Section 4: Core algorithms behind the farm optimisation module
• Section 5: A set ofrepresentative scenarios to assess the applicability of the models and the key steps for the development and implementation of the software

1. model the interaction of three dimensional unsteady flow and turbine wakes within an array;
2. verify available numerical models; and
3. implement an appropriate free surface model within Code_Saturne.

This report provides the reader with an introduction, methodology and guide to implementation of the work conducted to provide a suitable means of tidal stream modelling. The tidal stream modelling is seen as an important component to the whole project since it provides the necessary upstream boundary condition to a small array of marine current turbines at the meso-scale using EDF’s Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) solver ‘Code_Saturne’

• Introduction
  • The Level Set Method
  • Ghost Fluid Method
• Methodology
  • Calculation of Level Set with re-distancing
  • Calculation of slop and curvature and free surface
  • Calculation methodology for the Ghost Fluid Method
• Implementing unsteady upstream boundary condition
• Implemention
  • A review on previous Connectivity modelling
  • A review on previous Re-Distancing modelling
  • Current programming strategy
• New Modules
• Results

• The Hydrodynamic Environment
  • Base-line Flow field
  • Bare Flume Simulations
  • Free-surface Capture
• Rotor Model Verification
  • Geometry Generation
  • Rotor Blade Component Verification
  • Rotor Tower Component Validation
• Composite Simulation
  • Meshing Strategy
  • Computational Setup
  • Flow Field Analysis
• Conclusions

• The key objectives of this study are to compare the results of fully nonlinear simulations to weakly nonlinear results, in particular in the case of the single cylinder, and to investigate the cylinder excitation forces and cylinder responses in an array of four cylinders subject to regular incident waves.
• The report outlines how these objectives have been met and describes any issues arising from their completion.
• The similarities and differences between the fully nonlinear time-domain solutions and the linear frequency domain solutions are considered in detail.
• A number of validation studies were also conducted in parallel with and as preparation for the completion of the main aimsof the deliverable.
• These case studies contain independent verifications of the fully nonlinear potential flow solver and are included in the report to illustrate the full capabilities of the fully nonlinear approach

• The report first introduces the two-dimensional Shallow Water Equations (SWEs) and the chosen numerical method (discontinuous Galerkin finite element method) used to solve these equations.
• The methodology is then explained for couplingLinear Momentum Actuator Disc Theory (LMADT) to the two-dimensional hydrodynamic model DG-ADCIRC by means of including a line sink of momentum within the discontinuous Galerkin scheme.
• The verification of the algorithm is undertaken for a number of problems where an array of tidal devices is located in an idealised channel, with different configurations and problem settings.
• Lastly, preliminary results are given for the Anglesey Skerries, using the modified DGADCIRC code that uses LMADT tocalculate the relevant line sink of momentum in the solution domain

• A series of tests will be conducted with one turbine located in a fixed position whilst the second turbine is moved longitudinally and laterally throughout the frame of the test platform.
• The tidal turbines fabricated for this project are 1.2 metre diameter (1:10th scale) and are being assembled by Ocean Flow Energy.
• A test platform is being constructed by Wave Barrier Ltd and this will provide the frame to which the turbines and survey instruments will be attached to.
• Following this deliverable, the test rig will be constructed and assembled with rotors, then installed in the EDF flume and calibrated

• Introduction to project and work package
• Free surface methods
• Implementation
• Validaiton cases

• Section 1: Scope of the documents and its key objectives
• Section 2: Brief introduction to potential flow theory and the difficulties associated with a fully non-linear implementation
• Section 3: Brief description of first order hydrodynamic formulations
• Section 4: Detailed description of the second-order (weakly) nonlinear hydrodynamic formulation
• Section 5: Stochastic approach used to obtain irregular wave results
• Section 6: Linear and weakly non-linear hydrodynamic results associated with a single truncated cylinder WEC free to move in all DOFs
• Section 7: An extension of the linear and weakly nonlinear resultsto an array with four cylinders WEC free to move in all DOFs
• Section 8: The next steps in terms of the implementation

• The Aim of MD 5.2
• The Hydrodynamic Flow Model
• Calibration and Validation
  • Reason for validation:
  • Validation 1: In the Time Domain
  • Validation 2: In the Frequency Domain
  • Conclusions from the 2D validation
  • 3D Validation:
    • What statistic to use?
    • Comparison in 3D
    • Comparison in 3D: TGL
    • ADP Shear Data: 1 – 1.2 m/s
    • Model Shear Data: 1 – 1.2 m/s
    • Direct comparison of Shear Profiles: 1 – 1.2 m/s
• Key Points – 2D
• Key points – 3D comparison

• Aims of Work Package ME8: Anti fouling systems for tidal energy devices
• Broad Aims
• Design Stage
• ReDAPT Coating Test List
• Approach 2012
• Results: Seabed pod panels May 2014 - 24 months
• Niche areas
• Results: Seabed pod panels 24 months – Hydrodynamic Drag
• Results: Seabed pod panels 24 months - Corrosion
• Results: Which coating?
• Achievements
• Take Home Messages & Lessons Learned
• Next Steps

• The background on the standard
• The challenges
• Standard scope
• Risk and Technology Qualification
• The risk based method for the generic tidal turbine
• Main features
• The Service Specification for Certification of Tidal Turbine and Arrays
• Conclusions and future developments

• MD1: Development of a CFD model of the  TGL turbine at the EMEC site.
• Methods:
  • Sliding Mesh Method developed for RANS and LES
  • Synthetic Eddy Method used to represent  depth profile of mean and unsteady flow
  • LES with sliding mesh method and SEM inflow to predict 1 MW turbine loads
• Findings
  • Accurate prediction of power and thrust
  • Measured shear significantly affects cyclic blade loading
  • LES with SEM inflow predicts blade root bending moment affecting fatigue design
• Aim Achieved: To establish capability of CFD for unsteady load prediction in realistic flows
• Lessons and Next Steps

• site measurements;
• hydrodynamic modelling;
• turbine and electrical design;
• testing;
• operation;
• maintenance and site working; and
• marine operations and environment

• Requirements
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) System Definitions
• Life Cycle Impact (LCI) Assessment
• Life Cycle Processes
• Technology Level Rationale
• Tidal Stream Array Siting Considerations
• Specific Modelling Considerations
• Calculation of Carbon Payback Interval
• Evaluation and Reviewing of Results
• Reporting and Interpretation of Results
• Appendices
  • A: System Boundary Details
  • B: Waste Disposal
  • C: Transport Details
  • D: Tidal Current Probability Data
  • E: Data  Collection Considerations
  • F: GLobal Warming Potential

1. tidal stream foundations
2. low-cost wave energy structures
3. optimised tidal stream blade technologies
4. optimised power take-off systems (wave & tidal)
5. wave energy sensors for control system optimisation and yield improvement.

• ETI TEC Project
• Design Process
• HydrodynamicModel Testing
• Summary
  • B&V are currently finalising the detailed design of an innovative subsea support structure for the tidal energy industry –StreamTec™
  • This concept has been borne out of industry experience and a holistic approach to optimising tidal stream technology
  • The design process has been developed from a comprehensive understanding of the dependency of the economic feasibility of the concept on the various system components and their respective design drivers
  • The solution to a complex problem, composed of an array of smaller complex problems, does not necessarily need to be a complex one!

• How will the impacts of tidal range and tidal current energy schemes positioned around the UK combine to form an overall effect?
  -- Optimisation for environmental/human impact, energy output, economics or power smoothing is needed if the overall tidal resource is to be exploited to its full potential.
• Will the extraction of tidal energy resources in one area affect the tidal energy resources at distant sites around the UK and Europe?
  -- The CSM scenario run outputs give a clear indication as to the impact at far-field UK sites. The impacts across Europe vary depending on the scenario but the most extreme case of both tidal range and tidal current deployment, shows that there would be an impact on the European coastline.
• What constraints might these interactions place on the design, development and location of future systems?
  -- The interactions within and between schemes shows that the level of tidal range deployment (for near-field and far-field effects) and tidal current deployment (mainly near-field to regional impacts) would place constraints on the schemes. Both effects could potentially impact the success of projects. Importantly, the installation of later schemes could have an impact (positive or negative) on an existing scheme or its effects.

1. How will the interactions between tidal range and tidal current systems positioned around the UK’s waters combine to form an overall effect.
2. Will the extraction of tidal energy resource in one area impact the tidal energy resource at distant sites around the UK and Europe.
3. What constraints might these interactions place on the design, development and location of future systems.

• Part A: Tidal Range
  Potentially feasible locations for tidal range schemes that could give peak power output greater than 100MW have been identified giving:
  • 10 barrage alignments – selected based on a literature review of previous studies; and
  • 11 lagoon alignments – selected based on the tidal range, water depth and coastline shape.
• Part B: Tidal Current (including Tidal Fences) 
  The original scope was to identify farms over 100MWp. However, this criteria was relaxed (to 60MWp) to account for most potentially economic locations in UK waters.
  • 20 known tidal current farm locations were selected from literature review.

• That any credible tidal current development does not impact on the tidal range sites.
• That there is only a minimal impact of tidal range sites on tidal current sites, in the most extreme cases. In less extreme cases, there is essentiallyno impact.
• Extreme scenarios suggest that the Severn Outer barrage has a significantly more severe far-field impact (on tidal current sites) in comparison with the combination of the Cardiff-Weston barrage and Bridgewater Bay lagoon.
• ‘Mega’ schemes with dual generation (Severn Outer, Solway Firth) do not work as intended, and effectively cannot move the water away fast enough, impeding generation. Noticeable benefits in using Rolls-Royce turbines in dual-mode schemes were observed for the Solway Firth, Mersey, and the Wash as there are reduced impacts on downstream tidal range than equivalent dual schemes.
• Large reduction in downstream tidal range for major barrages/lagoons in estuaries (Bridgwater Bay, Cardiff-Weston, Mersey, Thames, Wash, Humber) reduces their energy output compared to 0D modelling, as expected.
• Much less effect on downstream tidal range for lagoons on open coastlines (Rye, Dymchurch, Cumbria, Wigtown) or smaller lagoons, suggesting these may be worth further investigation.
• The increased tidal range which is visible, in particular in the Irish Sea and surroundings, when there is large scale deployment of tidal range schemes in that area, is unlikely to be acceptable in terms of environmental (and safety) impacts.
• Significant interactions (i.e. a negative effect on tidal range and potential energy) within the Severn – e.g. the Cardiff-Weston barrage reduces energy output for lagoons downstream.
• Almost no interaction between tidal range schemes in Irish Sea, despite the impacts on increased tidal range discussed earlier.
• In UK waters, large scale utilisation of the tidal resource requires significant optimisation to avoid potentially unacceptable cumulative impacts and to ensure the most energy can be extracted from the resource (potentially at least cost, with least impact on the grid etc.).

• Part A – The TELEMAC system: Installation Guide,
• Part B – The CSM Functional and Testing Report,
• Part C – The CSM Web User Interface: User Guide.

1. an Excel model with parametric representations of cost drivers such as size and arrangements of civils works, turbine choices, O&M choices etc;
2. a model report describing the model, assumptions and case study examples, and
3. a user guide.

• Part A: Assesses the potential Tidal Range sites and identifies 10 barrage and 11 lagoon sites;
• Part B Assesses the potential Tidal Current sites and identifies 18 sites.

This UKERC Research Landscape provides an overview of the competencies and publicly funded activities in marine renewable energy research, development and demonstration (RD&D) in the UK. It covers the main funding streams, research providers, infrastructure, networks and UK participation in international activities.

UKERC ENERGY RESEARCH LANDSCAPE: MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY

• Section 1: An overview which includes a broad characterisation of research activity in the sector and the key research challenges
• Section 2: An assessment of UK capabilities in relation to wider international activities, in the context of market potential
• Section 3: Major funding streams and providers of basic research along with a brief commentary
• Section 4: Major funding streams and providers of applied research along with a brief commentary
• Section 5: Major funding streams for demonstration activity along with major projects and a brief commentary
• Section 6: Research infrastructure and other major research assets (e.g. databases, models)
• Section 7: Research networks, mainly in the UK, but also European networks not covered by the EU Framework Researchand Technology Development (RTD) Programmes
• Section 8: UK participation in energy-related EU Framework Research and Technology Development (RTD) Programmes
• Section 9: UK participation in wider international initiatives, including those supported by the International Energy Agency

This document is a technology roadmap: it provides a guide for mobilising the wave and tidal energy community in the UK down a deployment pathway towards a target of achieving 2GW installed capacity by 2020.

The roadmap is aimed at providing a focused and coherent approach to technology development in the marine sector, whilst taking into account the needs of other stakeholders. The successful implementation of the technology roadmap depends upon a number of complex interactions between commercial, political and technical aspects.

Although this roadmap is technically focused it also considers policy, environmental and commercialisation aspects of the marine energy sector, in order to display and put in context these wider influences.

The roadmap is aimed at technology developers, project developers, policy makers, government bodies, investors (public and private)

The UK Energy Research Centre welcomes this opportunity to provide input to the BERR Consultation on the UK Renewable Energy Strategy. We have addressed a number of the questions posed in the consultation document calling on all UKERC members for input.

To meet the EU 15% renewable energy target will be a significant challenge for the UK. It is important to understand that reductions in the UKs total energy demand will produce proportional reductions in the renewable contribution required. Although self-evident, this simple fact is often overlooked. Indeed the UK has to date failed to achieve any reductions in energy use, in fact the reverse is true: energy consumption in the key sectors of electricity and energy for transport continues to rise steadily.

In addition to reducing the demand for energy, there will need to be a massive increase in the contribution of renewables to transport fuel (predominately biofuels), heat and electricity. This submission concentrates on renewable electricity because UKERC has core competency this area. In Table 1, below, UKERC presents an illustrative scenario for the contribution of renew

• Without the adoption of a more holistic approach that addresses BETTA structural reform and network regulation, it is difficult to see how a satisfactory resolution of the transmission access issue can be achieved.
• It is proposed that more strategic and unified development of the onshore and offshore network together with the provision of interconnection would be encouraged through common or at least zonal ownership of offshore transmission assets, while cost-effectiveness and the efficient delivery of assets could be achieved through tendering and outsourcing construction.
• Modern distribution networks are not typically designed to accommodate generation; a number of technical and operational challenges will need to be addressed in order for the connection of significant amounts of distributed generation on these networks.
• The consequences of intermittency or variability of input will need to be managed by a combination of retaining conventional plant and developing demand response. Additionally, interconnection with adjacent transmission systems and improved forecasting of wind resource and maintaining geographic diversity of wind generation could also reduce the impacts of intermittency.
• The role of smart grids will be to enhance the capacity and utilisation of the electricity grid (both transmission and distribution) by means other than investing in traditional transmission assets and, via the deployment of smart metering, massively increase the contribution of the demand side to system security and the decarbonisation of the heat and transport sectors.
• UKERC is concerned that a major opportunity will be missed unless there is a timely change to a regulatory regime that encourages objective and costefficient choices between investment and smart grid solutions.

Two workshops brought together around 40 experts including policy makers and advisors, scientists, businesses and civil society organisations to provide a neutral forum, under Chatham House rules, for full and frank dialogue to discuss measures for maximising the sustainability marine energy arrays within the UK government target timescales. The first workshop, Marine Planning for Arrays: Social, economic and environmental issues and implications, examined the social, economic and environmental impacts and cumulative impacts relating to siting and deployment of arrays and how to integrate the assessment and management of these using a holistic approach that considers the entire marine and coastal system. The second workshop, Marine spatial planning for the deployment of arrays, examined the marine planning policy context, simplification of consenting, locational criteria and models under development to aid decision-making.

Two workshops brought together around 40 experts including policy makers and advisors, scientists, businesses and civil society organisations to provide a neutral forum, under Chatham House rules, for full and frank dialogue to discuss measures for maximising the sustainability marine energy arrays within the UK government target timescales. The first workshop, “Marine Planning for Arrays: Social, economic and environmental issues and implications”, examined the social, economic and environmental impacts and cumulative impacts relating to siting and deployment of arrays and how to integrate the assessment and management of these using a holistic approach that considers the entire marine and coastal system. The second workshop, “Marine spatial planning for the deployment of arrays”, examined the marine planning policy context, simplification of consenting, locational criteria and models under development to aid decision-making.