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years, create thousands of green jobs and apprenticeships – and all but seal our area’s status as Britain’s Renewable Energy Coast. Beyond the banks of the River Mersey, this is a national infrastructure asset that could position the UK as a global leader in the renewables race and help to turbocharge our net zero ambitions. “We are under no illusions, we know there


are still significant technical and financial challenges to overcome, but the plans we’ve agreed mark a huge step on our journey to bringing Mersey Tidal Power to life. Quite simply, the case for tidal has never been clearer – both for our economy and our planet.” The proposed barrage not only promises to


revolutionize the region’s energy landscape but also offers additional benefits such as facilitating a cycling and pedestrian route over the river and bolstering defenses against future flooding risks exacerbated by climate change. Over the past three years, the authority has conducted extensive technical groundwork to outline the scheme’s scope, which could be up and running within a decade, playing a huge role in the region’s push to be net zero carbon by 2040.


Councillor David Baines, Portfolio Holder for Net Zero and Air Quality, highlighted the significance of harnessing the River Mersey’s potential, emphasizing its role in diversifying the region’s clean energy mix and fostering economic resilience. “Existing strengths in wind and solar power and emerging strengths in hydrogen mean that our city region is already leading the way in developing a cleaner and greener economy. Harnessing the power of the River Mersey to generate green and predictable energy for the next 100 years and more would be an incredible addition to our clean energy mix. We need to ensure we are extremely aware of our sensitive local ecology but just reaching this stage in the Mersey Tidal Power project has taken a huge amount of hard work allied with vision and would be a big step towards it becoming a reality,” Baines said. Prior to the scoping opinion being


submitted the Combined Authority will now carry out a period of engagement, regionally and nationally, with stakeholders. Once the scoping opinion is received, the CA will hold formal consultations across communities and stakeholder groups. The scoping opinion will be based on the


creation of a barrage across the river. The report to the CA notes that a barrage option would be less expensive than a lagoon, requiring less material and lower levels of government support.


Submitting a scoping opinion is the first step


towards preparing a Development Control Order (DCO) submission – a process which typically takes two to three years. The scoping opinion submission describes the project and asks the Planning Inspector to advise on the scope and breadth of surveys needed


10 | May 2024 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


to complete the documents outlining the environmental impact of the scheme.


Switzerland


ETH Zurich researchers developing solutions to optimise Swiss hydropower plants In a bid to bolster Switzerland’s iconic hydropower industry, researchers at ETH Zurich, led by Robert Boes, are developing specific solutions to optimize electricity production from Swiss hydropower plants. Their efforts are geared towards ensuring that hydropower continues to serve as the linchpin of Switzerland’s electricity supply in the face of evolving challenges. Boes and his team have embarked on a multi-


faceted research project, addressing critical issues such as reservoir silting and turbine wear caused by sediment. Their findings offer promising pathways to enhance efficiency, prolong equipment lifespan, and mitigate environmental impact within the hydropower sector. A recent breakthrough unveiled by the


researchers underscores the potential for optimizing water management strategies to amplify electricity generation along the River Limmat. Through meticulous analysis, they determined that judicious regulation of Lake Zurich’s water levels, in alignment with adapted protocols, could yield a substantial 2% increase in electricity output from power plants dotting the Limmat’s course. By leveraging weather models to fine-tune water level adjustments and enhance predictive capabilities, the researchers aim to harness the power of precision in managing hydropower resources. Furthermore, Boes and his team have delved


into the realm of sediment management, crucial for safeguarding turbine integrity and maximizing operational efficiency. Their investigations into refining “sand traps” have yielded insights into optimal trap designs that minimize turbine abrasion. By advocating for longer traps with gentler gradients, the researchers advocate for a nuanced approach that balances effectiveness with economic feasibility. Addressing the scourge of sedimentation, the


team has also championed the implementation of bypass tunnels as a structural defense mechanism for reservoirs. Through meticulous experimentation and analysis, they’ve identified high-strength granite as the optimal material for lining tunnel floors, ensuring resilience against erosion and prolonging infrastructure longevity. Case studies, such as the Solis reservoir in Graubünden, serve as compelling demonstrations of the tangible benefits conferred by strategic bypass tunnel deployment. Moreover, Boes and his collaborators have


revolutionized turbine maintenance strategies, employing predictive modelling to anticipate wear-induced efficiency losses and optimize


maintenance schedules. By proactively identifying turbine degradation, power plant operators can pre-emptively address performance declines and maximize electricity production. Beyond addressing immediate challenges,


the researchers have also embarked on ambitious endeavors to expand Switzerland’s hydropower capacity. Through site assessments and stakeholder consultations, they’ve identified promising locations for new reservoirs and proposed strategies for augmenting existing dams. These initiatives hold promise for bolstering Switzerland’s renewable energy portfolio and securing its energy future.


Italy Workers kiiled in incident at Bargi hydropower plant Seven workers have been confirmed dead following an explosion at Enel Green Power’s hydroelectric power plant in Bargi, near Bologna, Italy. Rescuers recovered the bodies of missing workers in the project’s turbine hall on 12 April, Reuters said. In a statement on its website, Enel Green Power said it once again “expresses its deepest condolences and closeness to all the victims and their families”. The company said it will continue to fully collaborate with the relevant authorities to ascertain the facts of what caused the fatal accident on 9 April 2024. It said its CEO, Salvatore Bernabei, immediately went to the site following the incident to personally coordinate company activities in conjunction with the competent authorities.


At the time of the incident, Enel Green Power said efficiency works were underway. It is believed that the testing of the first generation group had already been completed and testing of the second group was underway when the incident occurred. “Enel Green Power will remain close in every possible way to those injured as well as to the families of the victims,” the company said in a statement. “The company expresses its gratitude to the relevant authorities that are working tirelessly on rescue operations, to whom it is providing maximum support.” Enel confirmed that a fire erupted in one of the transformers at the plant on 9 April. According to the fire brigade, the explosion occurred at 3pm local time at a dam on Lake Suviana, which serves as the power station’s water source. The company said that it has stablished an immediate fund of €2 million to allow the people impacted and their families to meet near-term, urgent needs. It said that from the start of the incident, it has worked to provide assistance to the people impacted and their families by sending a team of psychologists to the site and to the hospitals where the injured are being treated, making hotel rooms available and offering logistical support.


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