Transcript Slide 1
Marine Renewable Energy in Scotland SustainableEngineering@Edinburgh By: S. Dickson (0679718); J. Knight (0785854); D. Niland (0840777); R. Wallace (0673279) IMS3 Sustainability Module, March 2009 Introduction: In response to climate change Scotland has set a target to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. With the best offshore resource in Europe, generators installed at sea will play a major role in meeting this target. Wind Wave • Shoreline devices e.g. WaveGen, or offshore devices e.g. Pelamis (pictured) • The first commercial scale wave farm installed in Portugal (21 MW) using Scottish technology • 0.27 MW is already installed, a further 9 MW has been confirmed. Total potential of 14 GW2 • Two different types; tidal barrage or tidal turbine • At present there is no generating capacity • 300 MW tidal barrage proposed for Solway Firth3 • Tidal stream – first installation of commercial device (1.2 MW) in Strangford Lough (N Ireland); plans to install 50 MW in Pentland Firth4 • Inherently predictable • Currently only 10MW of installed power (Beatrice oil field) • Robin Rigg wind farm (Solway Firth) under construction 60 x 3 MW turbines; 80m hub height, 44m blades • 6.4 GW of offshore wind farms planned1 • Offshore potential is 25 GW2 – more than Scotland’s entire projected electricity consumption in 2020 Big challenge 50 public enquiry) Environmental impact of offshore wind not yet quantified (SEA due Jan 2010). Tidal – potential collisions between seals, fish and diving birds with rotating underwater blades Seabird breeding colonies sensitive to disturbance during construction; collision risk during operation10 % Electricity generation from renewables8,9 Other Wind 40 Hydro 30 Offshore wind 60% more expensive than Scotland 20 UK 10 2020 2018 2016 2014 2012 2010 2008 2006 0 2004 Less dependence on fuel imports – energy security Offshore expertise from North Sea oil/gas industry Leading centres of research at 4 Scottish universities European Marine Energy Centre based in Orkney Developing offshore wind power could create up to 40,000 jobs in the UK (installation & servicing); up to 70,000 jobs if Government is proactive in supporting R&D, innovation and manufacturing6 Lack of public support for new power lines (e.g. Beauly-Denny 2002 Reduce carbon emissions (& other atmospheric pollutants) Renewable sources of energy will not be depleted – sustainable! Reduce visible impact by installing turbines offshore; even less impact for wave and tidal devices at or below sea-level No problems with noise New Marine Bill (Dec 2008) will establish a Marine Management Organisation, this will help simplify and streamline planning process Maintenance of offshore wind turbines expensive and weatherdependent – poor availability for first offshore turbines6 Foundations need to be stronger than onshore devices Lack of specialised installation ships/ rigs Most sites remote from energy demand – major upgrade to transmission network required Intermittency of resource European wind atlas7 2000 Technology The best wind, wave and tidal resources in Europe Wind energy is a well-established technology and can provide large-scale generating capacity by 2020 ….beyond 2020 wave and tidal power likely to be commercially viable Increased capacity factor for offshore wind turbines due to higher and more consistent wind speeds Offshore conditions allow larger wind farms and larger individual turbines Environment Big opportunity Socio-economic Tidal onshore6 - electricity prices likely to increase Cost of offshore wind could reach £75 billion6 - difficult to finance? Negative impact on fisheries & shipping5 Interference with radar (defence)5 Wind turbines all imported