2006 07 Avonmouth Renewable Energy Project - Patrick Kearon, The Bristol Port Company

Patrick KearonPatrick KearonThe Bristol Port The Bristol Port CompanyCompany

BackgroundBackground• Global warming – we all need to reduce COGlobal warming – we all need to reduce CO22

output from our activitiesoutput from our activities• UK Target = 20% reduction in 1990 COUK Target = 20% reduction in 1990 CO22

levels by 2010levels by 2010• South West Target = 11-15% of electricity South West Target = 11-15% of electricity

from renewable sourcesfrom renewable sources• Dependence on finite fossil fuels & increasing Dependence on finite fossil fuels & increasing

energy costsenergy costs• UK is Europe’s windiest country - average UK is Europe’s windiest country - average

mean wind speeds >7m/s (18mph)mean wind speeds >7m/s (18mph)

Imperative for The Imperative for The Bristol Port Company to Bristol Port Company to develop a local develop a local renewable energy renewable energy source to supply port source to supply port demanddemand

The AnswerThe Answer

Outline of ProposalsOutline of Proposals

• Erect 3 wind turbines (up to 3 MW), Erect 3 wind turbines (up to 3 MW), including associated bases and cablesincluding associated bases and cables

• Construct control building & access waysConstruct control building & access ways• Combined 9 MW = up to 75% of port’s Combined 9 MW = up to 75% of port’s

electricity demandelectricity demand• Development site is 8.5 hectares of Development site is 8.5 hectares of

reclaimed land in Avonmouth Dockreclaimed land in Avonmouth Dock• Adjacent to Severn EstuaryAdjacent to Severn Estuary

Site LocationSite Location

Site Selection - AlternativesSite Selection - Alternatives• 9 potential locations short-listed and tested 9 potential locations short-listed and tested

against 3 key factors:against 3 key factors:– Wind generating potential Wind generating potential – Aviation safety (Filton Airfeld)Aviation safety (Filton Airfeld)– Possible impacts on birds using the estuaryPossible impacts on birds using the estuary

• This location in Avonmouth Docks was This location in Avonmouth Docks was identified as optimum siteidentified as optimum site

• Turbine location finely adjusted to not interfere Turbine location finely adjusted to not interfere with air safety & bird migration routeswith air safety & bird migration routes

The Preferred SiteThe Preferred Site

Typical Wind Turbine Typical Wind Turbine DimensionsDimensions

Hub height 85 metres 279 feet

Rotor diameter 70 metres (35m radius)

120m

393 ft

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues• Geology/Ground Conditions Geology/Ground Conditions • Hydrology/Hydrogeology Hydrology/Hydrogeology • Ecology Ecology • Landscape and visual impactsLandscape and visual impacts• ArchaeologyArchaeology• Traffic and transportTraffic and transport• Noise and vibrationNoise and vibration• Telecommunications Telecommunications • Air trafficAir traffic • Marine navigationMarine navigation

Landscape and Visual Landscape and Visual ImpactsImpacts

• Evaluate effect on local landscapeEvaluate effect on local landscape• Turbines located in low-lying, heavily industrialised Turbines located in low-lying, heavily industrialised

landscape, with many tall structures & buildings landscape, with many tall structures & buildings • Landform, structures & woodlands restrict visibility Landform, structures & woodlands restrict visibility • Turbines will be visible from:Turbines will be visible from:

– Avonmouth Village (partial, restricted views, change Avonmouth Village (partial, restricted views, change inevitable in places)inevitable in places)

– Pill (noticeable, but not intrusive)Pill (noticeable, but not intrusive)– Higher elevations e.g. Lawrence Weston & Shirehampton Higher elevations e.g. Lawrence Weston & Shirehampton

(more visible, but distant & panoramic, not intrusive)(more visible, but distant & panoramic, not intrusive)

Photomontage of Photomontage of Landscape Landscape

Ecology and BirdsEcology and Birds• No valuable habitats on site, but next to No valuable habitats on site, but next to

Severn Estuary SPA, SSSI and Ramsar siteSevern Estuary SPA, SSSI and Ramsar site• Ecological surveys to inform assessment of Ecological surveys to inform assessment of

impacts on wildlife, includingimpacts on wildlife, including– Extended Phase 1 habitat surveyExtended Phase 1 habitat survey– Bird surveys (e.g. High tide/low tide counts, night Bird surveys (e.g. High tide/low tide counts, night

time, migration and breeding surveys)time, migration and breeding surveys)• Key potential impacts on birds are Key potential impacts on birds are

Disturbance & CollisionsDisturbance & Collisions• With mitigation no adverse impact during With mitigation no adverse impact during

constructionconstruction• 5 years monitoring (review in 2 years)5 years monitoring (review in 2 years)

Bird MovementsBird Movements

ArchaeologyArchaeology• Assessment of archaeological remains in the Assessment of archaeological remains in the

vicinity of the development site:vicinity of the development site:– Terrestrial archaeologyTerrestrial archaeology– Maritime archaeology and historic activityMaritime archaeology and historic activity

• Borehole assessmentBorehole assessment• No known sites or monuments affected by No known sites or monuments affected by

the developmentthe development• Construction of turbines includes 30 metre Construction of turbines includes 30 metre

piles into made groundpiles into made ground• Mitigation/Monitoring – archaeological Mitigation/Monitoring – archaeological

recording recording

Historic MappingHistoric Mapping

Balance of EffectsBalance of Effects• No major adverse environmental impacts No major adverse environmental impacts • Potential disturbance of SPA birds and changed Potential disturbance of SPA birds and changed

views from areas of Avonmouth Villageviews from areas of Avonmouth Village• All other negative impacts avoided or reduced All other negative impacts avoided or reduced

by mitigation and design measuresby mitigation and design measures• 17-26% of south west’s renewable energy 17-26% of south west’s renewable energy

targettarget• Provision of up to 75% of Port’s electricityProvision of up to 75% of Port’s electricity

• Significant reduction in green house gasses Significant reduction in green house gasses (18,319 tonnes CO(18,319 tonnes CO2 2 /plus SO/plus SO2 2 & NO& NOxx))

Construction & OperationConstruction & Operation • Construction end 2006Construction end 2006• Construction programme Construction programme

about 36 weeksabout 36 weeks• In operation this time in In operation this time in

20072007• Operational life of 25 Operational life of 25

yearsyears• Turbines then either Turbines then either

replaced, refurbished or replaced, refurbished or removed & site reinstatedremoved & site reinstated

The Way ForwardThe Way Forward

• BPC agreement with Ecotricity who will BPC agreement with Ecotricity who will construct, own and operate the turbinesconstruct, own and operate the turbines

• BPC provided with energy for life of turbines BPC provided with energy for life of turbines • ““Overspill” electricity is publicly available - Overspill” electricity is publicly available -

see see ((http://www.ecotricity.co.ukhttp://www.ecotricity.co.uk) ) • We all need to do more to tackle global We all need to do more to tackle global

warming problemwarming problem• Wind turbines can contribute to the Wind turbines can contribute to the

renewable energy solutionrenewable energy solution