Adaptation and Resilience of Coastal Energy: ARCoES

How did we get here?

• Nuclear reactor

• Energy distribution infrastructure

• Neighbours:People – towns, farms,

leisureAirportArmy RangesNature Reserve

Beach recharge

Storm/tsunami defence

... for a long time to come!

ARCoES aims to identify:

Challenges facing the future security of the nuclear energy sector (nationally) and coastal energy supply (regionally)...

...as a result of changing patterns of temperature and rainfall, sea-level rise and storms.

The research will determine the threats posed to future energy generation and the distribution network by:

• Flooding• Erosion• Changing patterns of:

coastal sedimentationwater temperature and qualitydistribution of plants and animals in the coastal zone.

ARCoES Research Objectives:

• To evaluate the implications of climate change impacts for the nuclear energy sector at sediment cell scale across the reactor life-cycle to waste management.

• To evaluate the implications of climate change impacts for coastal energy production and distribution, with a focus on the NW region as a test case for implementation nationally.

• To identify the practical steps necessary to achieve effective adaptation and to enhance resilience to climate change for (i) the nuclear sector and (ii) coastal energy supply in the NW region

• To assess the impacts of climate change at the coast in terms of flooding, erosion, morphological change, changes in water quality and ecosystem impacts.

• To assess how the impacts identified above are exacerbated by barrages for tidal power generation.

• To establish a decision-support tool for engaging communities in shaping future coastal energy generation.

A multidisciplinary team from Liverpool, NOC-Liverpool, Plymouth, Stirling, Loughborough, MMU and Southampton

Working with a wide range of stakeholders from the energy, nuclear, engineering and planning sectors, e.g. Royal Haskoning, EDF and the National Nuclear Laboratory

Build an integrated computer model of the coast with the capability of predicting coastal changes for estuaries, gravel beaches, sandy beaches and dunes, and cliffs made up of both hard and soft rock.

Give projections of future flooding, erosion, sedimentation, water quality and habitats that are the result of climate change projections to the 2020s, 2050s and 2080s and our best understanding of long-term coastal change to 2100, 2200 and 2500 AD.

Use a decision-support GIS to scope options to address overall impact on coastal energy supply.

The aim is to identify how the coastal power stations, substations and distribution grid can adapt to future climate change impacts and become more resilient, thus securing our energy needs as we move into a low-carbon future.

Thank you for your attention...

Andy Plater: gg07@liverpool.ac.uk tel: 0151 794 2843