YOUNG people in Clevedon got the chance to learn how the Severn Estuary can power cities of the future at a fun workshop earlier this month.
In a bid to help limit the devastating impacts of climate breakdown, and its continued threat of flooding, local charity Our Tide held educational activities for children in the town.
Our Tide is seeking to explore the option of harnessing the tidal strength of the Severn to create clean power for the future.
It aims to 'promote education' and understanding of tidal power in the communities surrounding this stretch of water.
During the last week of the summer holidays, children attended special workshops where kids not only got to learn about the power of the sea, but they also created designs for possible technology to use.
A spokesperson said: "With the current energy crisis and the need to move beyond our use of fossil fuels, Our Tide wants to educate teenagers from this area about the exciting possibility on our doorstep to harness its power."
The group of young people from varying local schools came together to discuss and experiment. They also discovered how tidal energy could be used, and the environmental and technological issues surrounding it.
They were led by a committed group of young engineers and scientists during a week of workshops, who volunteered to share their passion for green energy.
The Severn Estuary, as the second fastest tidal range in the world, is the UK’s most promising site for tidal energy generation.
"In the surroundings of Clevedon Sailing Club they were given engineering and technology tasks to complete, they monitored the behaviour of the tide and learned all about our very dramatic tidal patterns from a first-hand perspective on Clevedon Pier," the spokesperson added.
"They built their own turbines, using 3D printers, and put this all together by building a tidal turbine prototype that was put to the test in Marine Lake.
"This all proved that tidal energy could be one of the solutions for future energy production in the UK.
"Our thanks go out to everyone involved in the project who gave up their time. And also the sailing club and Clevedon Pier, for their ongoing support of this project."
To find out more on Our Tide, visit www.ourtide.org.
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