'High output' renewable energy source could boost the UK’s energy security

A reliable renewable energy source could bolster the UK's energy security, an expert has said. Legal academic Renuka Thakore said tidal power has "considerable potential" to boost the UK's energy mix resilience.

The lecturer and researcher from the University of Central Lancashire said: "It is the most high energy of the renewable energy sources. Tidal power could support the UK on the road to net zero, helping us achieve our greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050.

"This will be especially effective in conjunction with a move towards more wind and solar energy sources. If exploited globally, tidal power could generate as much electricity that was generated in the world in 2018.

"The active evolution of tidal power technologies makes it a viable energy source to develop and scale up in both existing and new locations, using flexible and hybrid technologies. Increasingly, niche markets are turning to tidal energy, from military and surveillance, to luxury resorts and coastal protection."

Ms Thakore said the UK needs a variety of energy resources to ensure the country has "sustainable, reliable power".

She expanded: "Wave energy has a valuable role to play in decarbonisation. To create a consistent baseload power, we will need to integrate offshore wind with tidal and solar energy infrastructure and maintenance in the UK."

She said the UK currently has tidal power facilities at various locations in our surrounding waters, including in the Atlantic, in Scottish offshore waters, in the Irish Sea and in the North Sea.

The academic explained: "While these sites are actively generating tidal energy, the total areas allotted for tidal power around UK shores are relatively small.

"In order to understand which other sites could harness tidal energy, we must partner with scientists on and around existing sites. By strengthening our technology and data and improving our understanding of the sites, we can decide where best to target tidal power."

Phil Thompson, CEO of Balance Power, also said the UK needs to develop a diverse mix of renewable energy sources.

He commented: "Betting on just one type of energy, like wind or solar, can create volatility due to their intermittent nature — it's not always sunny or windy. A balanced portfolio of different types of projects, including battery storage facilities for example, helps to keep costs lower for consumers by reducing this volatility."

He said an important consideration is how different renewable technologies are better suited to different locations.

The chief executive explained: "For instance, offshore wind farms aren’t ideal for rural communities who live far from the coast, where the infrastructure isn’t in place to allow the clean energy to reach them.

"Ensuring that each project fits its environment is crucial to increasing support for renewables and minimising any impacts on the local landscape."

Mr Thompson said one promising development in the renewable energy space is the growth of 'behind the meter' projects, which are especially popular with large industrial companies.

He said: "These projects connect renewable energy projects directly to the end user's facility, bypassing the traditional electricity grid. This approach has several advantages: it cuts operating costs for the business, enhances their competitiveness and significantly reduces carbon their footprints.

"Importantly, given the current delays in connecting new projects to the grid, these direct connections allow renewable energy projects to get up and running more quickly in optimal locations.

"While great progress is being made to improve grid infrastructure, there isn’t a magic wand. We still need more investment to expand the grid's capacity and support future growth in renewable energy."