What is REACH?

The Renewable Energy and Community Hub (REACH) Project

A partnership between Our Tide & Clevedon Pier

History
  • Clevedon pier opened in 1869 during a time of great engineering innovation
  • At that time there was a large demand for cheap steam power
  • The efficiency of steam engines increased dramatically during the 19th Century
  • Now there is a huge demand for cheap renewable energy
  • The efficiency of renewable energy capture (wind, solar and tidal) has increased dramatically in recent decades

Renewable Energy and Community Hub (REACH)

Our Tide and Clevedon Pier are developing a tidal stream, wind power and solar renewable energy hub on the Pier, that will provide a public and STEM educational resource.

An infographic showing Clevedon Pier viewed from the air with a wind turbine indicated as being mounted behind the pavilion on the top of the landing platform towards the northern end, a solar panel mounted nearby but more centrally on the top of the landing platform, a tidal turbine (similar to those used on yachts) mounted lower on the structure supporting the pavilion and a display panel mounted near the pavilion with a man interacting with it.

REACH will:
  • demonstrate the relative merits of these green energy technologies
  • bring to life the power generation profiles of the three technologies, in the context of the weather (wind, sunlight) and tidal patterns
  • act as a renewable energy educational STEM hub for schools and the public
  • be a World’s first
  • be a community focal point for green energy
  • provide local in-situ access
  • promote understanding of renewable energy generation technologies
REACH will require the design and build on Clevedon Pier of:
  • solar panels
  • a small wind turbine
  • a small tidal stream turbine
  • electrical connectivity and integration with Pier electrical system
  • a communication/display point for public interaction.

The objective is to allow members of the public to experience and understand the advantages (and disadvantage) of each of these 3 forms of renewable energy and so to be able to contrast them. For example: Solar energy is weather dependent and does not generate at night but is cheap to install; tidal energy is 100% predictable but expensive to install etc.
The REACH display will be based on data from real, working units installed directly on the pier. This will be a *unique* capability which we believe is unmatched anywhere in the world.

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