We had an exciting meeting on the Pier on Thursday 25th September, at which, along with local partners, we launched a renewable energy initiative.
The Pier sits exposed in the huge tidal range of the Severn Estuary. Local charity Our Tide saw the potential to create renewable energy through a tidal stream turbine installed on the Pier head.
The idea developed, partners came forward, and we all met to discuss. Students from Swansea University undertook a proof-of-concept design as their final year project. Proteus Marine Renewables are world leaders in tidal stream technology and are lending their support and skills, along with IDCORE. Clevedon Town Council (via Clevedon Climate and Nature Partnership) support the initiative, as does the North Somerset MP Sadik Al-Hassan, who spoke passionately of how this highly collaborative initiative would “… create a living laboratory where our community can engage with clean technology, where young people can be inspired by STEM education, and where local businesses can be part of the solution.”
Over the last year, the idea has grown to capture the sunshine and wind so often present at the Pier head. So, working with Sustain Heating & Renewables of Clevedon, adding solar panels and a 1m diameter wind turbine on the Pier head has been proposed. Both these will be more visible than the tidal turbine, and together they will illustrate through a display screen how the performance of three renewable energy sources varies under different conditions. Students visiting a piece of Victorian heritage will find themselves in a STEM laboratory!
Clevedon Pier & Heritage Trust are fortunate to be the guardian of a structure of exceptional national importance. Through the Pier staff and volunteers, we seek always to keep it as a vibrant community heritage asset – not a ‘museum piece’. In a climate emergency, considerations of sustainability, alternative energy sources and helping the public to experience positive action are ever more important. Our heritage must continue to be relevant to our communities, and we are delighted that the Pier can play a part in this through the creation of the renewable energy hub.
So, what’s next? Building on the initial funding provided by Churngold/Quartet Community Foundation, a period of collaboration between many partners will follow, involving design, validation, fundraising and a Listed Building Consent application. Perhaps 18 months’ development work, then we will get it built.
As a footnote, it is worth mentioning the ICE’s South West Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP) and, in particular, the excellent work done by Peter Kydd and colleagues in advocating for full-scale tidal range power to be established in the Estuary. Large and small both have their place!
Written by Stephen Breggs.
