Coastal reservoirs and their potential for urban regeneration and renewable energy supply

Abstract This chapter introduces the opportunities for designing and developing coastal reservoirs for urban regeneration and renewable energy generation. The case for using coastal reservoirs for such applications is first presented, followed by an outline of the governing equations and modelling approaches used in the planning of such reservoirs. Two case studies are then considered, including the Cardiff Bay Barrage project and the West Somerset Lagoon proposal. For Cardiff Bay, a barrage was constructed across the mouth of the bay, creating a coastal reservoir, and reconnecting the estuarine waterfront with Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The project was completed in 2000, and the reservoir has been highly successful in regenerating the region. For the West Somerset Lagoon project, it is proposed to build a large lagoon (or coastally attached reservoir) in the Bristol Channel to create tidal energy. Modelling and design considerations are reported for the proposed tidal range scheme, with the aim of focusing on the lagoon's impact on retention times inside the basin.