Energy generation from a Severn Barrage prior to full commissioning

Abstract

The Severn Estuary provides the UK with a unique opportunity to harness a large amount of renewable energy from the tides. A barrage 10 miles (16 km) long has been proposed as a means of harnessing this energy. The scheme would be similar, but on a larger scale, to that in the Rance Estuary, northern France, which has consistently and predictably produced electricity over the last 40 years. The studies presented here illustrate the output patterns of the Severn Barrage once the barrage is closed but before project completion, taking into consideration important factors such as: National Grid integration; environmental sensitivities and turbine and pumping characteristics. Assuming the main determinand of operating procedure is production of maximum energy, total barrage output could be 33 TWh by project completion. This is equivalent to almost two years of output from the completed scheme. Furthermore, if barrage closure were to occur earlier than previously envisaged, significantly more electricity would be produced during the construction phase, thus further enhancing the project's economic prospects.