Engineers from The University of Liverpool claim that building estuary barrages (just blocking off where the tide meets the stream) throughout the North West could help to provide up to 5% of the UK's electricity. Researchers who are collaborating with Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory have been examining ways to create electricity from tidal sources of renewable energy in the Eastern Irish Sea.
The study showed that if four estuary barrages could be built along the Solway Firth, Morecambe Bay, in addition to the Mersey and Dee estuaries, this could have the capability to meet about 50% of the North West region's electricity needs. The barrages would provide a solid defense against the sea, along with good flood alleviation by draining the estuary following massive and heavy rainstorms. Electricity generation could also help to achieve the UK's C02 emission reduction targets.
"Professor Richard Burrows, from the Maritime Environmental and Water Systems Research Group, in the University’s Department of Engineering, said: "“With concerns mounting over the UK’s future energy provision it will soon become paramount that all sources of renewable energy are fully developed. Unlike the wind, tides are absolutely predictable. The geographical location of the UK, and the seas that surround it, provide a great platform for marine renewable sources.""
website: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325092203.htm
picture: http://www.mythandthemurray.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Goolwa_Barrage.jpg
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