Renewable Energy Study
As we look forward to the restoration of the pier, buildings and train, HPHA considered how renewable energy could be included in our plans.
For expert guidance and analysis we have turned to Dr Marc Molinari, a course leader in Renewable Energy Engineering group at Solent University. A student from the university performed the initial investigation.
Among the questions we hoped to answer are:
- Document the intended operations of train and facilities at the pier
- To evaluate the expected energy consumption and work out the required size of energy storage.
- To research and investigate available energy sources and evaluate their efficiency and reliability for the required purposes.
- To select a suitable energy source combination to meet the identified requirements.
- To assess and select applicable energy storage systems.
- To report on potential regulatory requirements for a screening report and environmental impact assessment (EIA) (outside of project).
- Propose a suitable analysis and to support the design and restoration process of the railway considering the mode of electricity supply (batteries/third rail system).
- To then design an overall system suitable to meet the requirements captured for all relevant aspects of the renewable installation; including a test plan to enable this analysis.
- To simulate, test and analyse the designed system (under virtual load conditions for a monthly or annual schedule under standard and extreme conditions).
The final version of the report was produced in May 2023, answering all the questions. The project was shown by the student, Lorinc Doleschall, at a University presentation day attended by HPHA Directors Phil Appleyard and Anthony Smith
Dr Molinari, Phil Appleyard, Lorinc Doeschall, Anthony Smith
This is an outstanding piece of academic work starting from an initial real-world query of how to supply the pier head buildings and train with enough energy from renewable sources. The capture of requirements, analysis, subsequent optioneering, design, re-design, simulation and numerical analysis with recommendations based on a thorough and well-justified solution is technically comparable to the level that Renewable Energy consultancy companies would produce with more resources.
solent university – Project Assessment Criteria report
The report forms part of our Viability Study, kindly sponsored by the Charles Burnett Memorial Fund, that looks at the restoration options for the pier.