Islay Energy Trust

The ANDRITZ HYDRO Hammerfest HS1000 tidal turbine that was installed and connected to the grid last December has spent the last few months undergoing tests at the EMEC test site in Orkney.

The initial testing period has been very positive with the device achieving full export power.

ANDRITZ HYDRO Hammerfest will be at Stand G110 and the Islay Energy Trust will be at the Argyll/HIE Stand L50 of All-Energy Conference (23rd to 24th May 2012)

The Energy, Economy and Tourism committee of the Scottish Parliament asked for evidence for its Inquiry into the Scottish Government’s Renewables Targets.  Stressing the importance of the role of communities, The Islay Energy Trust has submitted a response asking for a further question to be considered by the committee:

“To what extent can communities contribute to and benefit from realising carbon savings/renewable energy targets?”
There are three reasons for posing this question, supported by IET’s experience on Islay.

1. Talk of energy supply targets is meaningless without addressing the issue of potential reductions in energy consumption, which could make supply targets more achievable, or not as the case may be. Community action can play a significant role in helping reduce consumption.
2. Community initiatives in developing renewable energy projects should not be ignored in the supply equation. Community Energy Scotland has already drawn the Committee’s attention to the contribution nationally that community-owned projects can make, and IET’s development of renewables projects is receiving widespread local support.
3. Community support for larger scale renewable energy projects can facilitate the consenting process and add value to all stakeholders. However, such support can be difficult to harness without early and genuine local consultation, and comprehensive social impact assessments.

The full submission can be read here: 26 February 2012 – IET submission to Scottish Parliament Inquiry into Energy Targets

Hammerfest Strom's HS1000 at EMEC

Hammerfest Strøm has completed another key milestone after the successful installation of the 1MW HS1000 tidal turbine in one of the toughest waters in Europe at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney. The installation was carried out during very challenging weather conditions. The device has been successfully synchronised to the grid and supplied power to the grid on the first attempt and during the first start-up.

Project Manager, Martin Sloan says:
“When we started out in this process the widely held view was that we had an operational window  of approx. 6 months. With deployment of the HS1000 in some of the UK’s most hostile waters at what must be considered one of the worst operational deployment periods we have demonstrated that with the correct methodologies, skilled personnel and proper risk management the window is year round. The significance of this should go a long way to driving down the whole cost structure of tidal deployment by companies such as Hammerfest Strøm who can demonstrate they have the capability and technologies to work throughout the year.

The final phase of commissioning the onshore equipment is now well underway and it is anticipated that we will commence operational / load testing onto the grid later this month which then kicks off the data collection and engineering validation process, this process will continue over many months albeit tthe system is now configured to be operated remotely.”

For more details are available from the Hammerfest Strøm website.

The Islay Energy Trust (IET) needs to raise around £900,000 to fund a combination of renewable energy projects including wind, hydro, solar etc.  Financial benefits to the community from these projects could total £100,000 each year in the first ten years and £200,000 each year after that.  It is likely that IET will be able to raise approximately £600,000 from banks and it hopes to raise £300,000 from local investors.

Islay Community Energy Co-operative

IET has been discussing the establishment of a co-operative in which local people can invest. Each investor will become a member of the co-operative with a single vote, irrespective of sum invested. The co-operative would be governed by a board elected by the members.  The co-operative would invest its funds in IET’s projects and would receive revenues from them.

Investment and Return

Individual investments could range from £100 to £20,000. Withdrawal of capital would be possible. Similar co-operatives have been paying out returns to investors of 5 – 8% p.a.

IET is conducting a survey to find out if there is interest in investing in an IET Energy Co-operative.  We are very interested in your views and would appreciate if you could take part in the very short (three question) survey:

   (by 31st January 2012)

This is not an offer to invest

Installation of the Hammerfest Strøm HS1000 Tidal Turbine

The plans for the 10MW Tidal Energy Project in the Sound of Islay took a significant step forward with the successful deployment of the Hammerfest Strøm HS1000 tidal turbine at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.

The HS1000 tidal turbine has been developed by Hammerfest Strøm, a company partly-owned by Iberdrola (ScottishPower Renewables’s parent company), Andritz Hydro and Statoil New Energy.  Seen as one of the world’s most advanced tidal turbine designs, a prototype device has been generating electricity in Norway for over 6 years.

Following its successful installation, the HS1000 device will now enter a test period to confirm its performance and reliability, in preparation for larger scale production and deployment.  It is expected that the machine will be fully operational in early 2012. The tests will also help to finalise the timetable for the Islay project, with machines being installed as early as feasible during the period 2013 to 2015.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower Renewables, said: “We are delighted that the HS1000 turbine has been successfully installed in Orkney, and Hammerfest engineers deserve huge credit for carrying out this difficult operation in very testing weather conditions. We look forward to monitoring its progress when fully operational next year.

“This is a major milestone in the development of tidal power technology in Scotland, and for the tidal power industry across the world. We anticipate using this turbine as part of our project in Islay, which will be the first of its kind in the world, and remains the only consented tidal array project in Scotland. Beyond this, we have ambitions to use this turbine as part of even larger scale projects in the Pentland Firth, which we are currently investigating.

“The substructure for this device was constructed in the Arnish Yard, near Stornoway in Lewis, and we aim to work very closely with The Scottish Government to support their ambitions of delivering both economic and environmental benefits for Scotland from the marine renewables industry.”

The Managing Director of Hammerfest Strom, Stein Atle Andersen, said; “The device was installed in one of Europe’s most challenging waters, during the roughest time of the year, which shows the extreme conditions the technology and the team is capable of handling.”

Scotland is widely regarded as having the best tidal power resources anywhere in the world and the progression to demonstration projects is seen as a vital step towards fully realising this potential.  The Islay project will play a key role in proving a range of factors necessary for the large scale deployment of the technology. This will include developing a better understanding of the technical aspects involved in deploying and maintaining machines and bringing forward systems to monitor and analyse their performance.

ARC Phase 2 Socio-Economic Report

A report exploring the socio-economic impacts of the proposed offshore wind farms to the west of Islay, Tiree and Kintyre has been published.  The report, commissioned by ARC members (Islay Energy Trust, Kintyre Energy Trust, South Kintyre Development Trust and Tiree Community Development Trust) from SQW, follows on from an initial scoping report (published in February 2010)

The broad purpose of this work was to assist local communities in engaging with developers and relevant authorities so as to strengthen the respective communities’ roles in the development of the projects and in the consenting process.

In summary, the report’s findings highlight the poor understanding of the planning consent process at community level and identify weaknesses vis-a-vis community engagement in the process. Evidence from other offshore wind farms indicates that local employment opportunities are more likely in the operations and maintenance phase rather than in construction and installation, that impacts on fishing, housing, tourism, seascapes, etc. are uncertain and require specific local assessment.

As part of the process of compiling the report, local community surveys were conducted. Responses and concerns about impacts – both positive and negative – varied between projects, but in general there was a broad appreciation of the potential issues and impacts, and an indication of willingness to engage in debate about the complex matters inherent in such projects.

The report recommends that communities and developers maintain close contact so that the former’s concerns are integrated into development plans, and that the Tiree scenario mapping exercise be monitored with a view to considering the value of replicating it elsewhere.

ARC members are grateful to LEADER, HIE, SNH, RSPB and ScottishPower Renewables for their financial support without which the study would not have been possible.

Philip Maxwell at the Scottish Affairs Select Committee

Philip Maxwell, chair of the Islay Energy Trust gave evidence to the UK House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee Inquiry in to the Crown Estate.  The committee is investigating the role of the Crown Estate and its relationship with the Scottish Parliament.

Giving oral evidence in support of IET’s written submission to the committee, Philip stressed the importance of local communities in the planning, operation and economic aspects of marine renewables.  In particular, he reiterated that “proximate or affected communities should be confident of having some proportion of the revenues with surplus going back (to central government) instead of top down distribution.”

Evidence was also given by Sandy Brunton, Chairman, Scottish Islands Federation and Ruchir Shah, Head of Policy Department, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

The video of the session is available from the parliament.uk website or you can read the Select Committee Transcript

The huge potential benefits of a new electricity grid under the Irish Sea connecting power sources on Scottish, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland electricity networks have been highlighted in an exhaustive study published today.

The Irish-Scottish Links on Energy Study (ISLES) study, funded by the EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme, has found that development of an interconnected transmission network within the decade would help drive further growth in the renewables sector, create jobs, generate revenues and ensure future sustainable energy supplies by better connecting and exporting electricity.

A copy of the report is available here:

Irish-Scottish Links on Energy Study (ISLES) – Executive Summary (Draft)

The Department of Energy And Climate Change has for the first time published an assessment on the impacts of climate change policies on energy bills along with its annual Energy Statement.

Policy impacts on prices and bills – Department of Energy and Climate Change.

This makes interesting reading against a backdrop of rising energy bills and increased fuel poverty.  In particular the report notes:

“i. Recent increases in energy bills have been largely driven by rising international prices for fossil fuels, particularly gas, and not by energy and climate change policies….

iii. Wholesale gas and electricity costs represent around £600 (48%) of an average household energy bill (before any rebates) in the UK in 2011…..

iv. By contrast, Government policies are estimated to represent around £89 (7%) of an average household energy bill (before any rebates) in the UK in 2011…..

vi. By 2020 households will, on average, save £94 (7%) on their energy bills compared to what they would have paid in the absence of policies. The impact of policies in helping people to save energy, or use it more efficiently, is expected to more than offset the impact that policies delivering low carbon investment will have on energy prices;”

The Scottish Affairs Committee of the House of Commons is conducting an inquiry in to the Crown Estate in Scotland.

The Crown Estate Commissioners (CEC) are a public body responsible for the management of the Crown properties and property rights known as the Crown Estate.

The inquiry has taken written evidence and is now taking oral evidence.  Philip Maxwell, the chair of the Islay Energy Trust is giving evidence at 2.30pm on Wednesday 23rd November.

Other evidence will come from:

Coverage can be seen on ParliamentTV.

ISLAY ENERGY TRUST

Annual General Meeting

There will be presentations on:
Sound of Islay Tidal Energy Project
Renewable Energy Projects
Islay Community Energy Partnership

7.30pm Monday
21st November 2011

Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle,  Bowmore, Islay

All welcome

Sound of Islay

The Scottish Government has announced two initiatives that provide great news for the tidal energy industry.

Firstly, the Scottish Government has proposed to increase the number of renewable certificates (called ROCs) allocated to tidal energy generation from three to five per Megawatt hour.

Electricity suppliers are required to provide an increasing share of power from renewable sources.  Different numbers of ROCs are awarded to different types of renewable energy generation.  Suppliers can buy and then submit these ROCs to show that they have met their obligation.

The proposed increase to five ROCs for tidal stream energy is a significant boost and will encourage investment in the industry.

Secondly, an £18 million fund has been established to help develop Scotland’s first commercial wave and tidal power arrays.  The money forms part of £35 million the Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies will provide in direct support to the marine and tidal industry over the next three years and will be used to improve capability and infrastructure, as well as helping to fund technology solutions and the roll-out of marine arrays.

More details of the formal consultation on ROCs and on the investment fund can be found on the Scottish Government website.

Laura Watson (centre) from SPR receives the prestigious Energy North Award

ScottishPower Renewables’ (SPR) tidal energy project in the Sound of Islay has been recognised by the Energy North Awards with the project winning  the Best Offshore Renewables Award.

The Energy North Awards judges praised SPR’s extensive use of the Highlands and Islands supply chain from pre consenting, through to fabrication and highlighted that the project is significant in terms of technology and commercial scale, with massive export potential.

Alan Mortimer, ScottishPower Renewables Head of Renewables Policy, said: “This was really unexpected and we are extremely grateful for this award.

“The Highland and Islands could have a major role in the future of marine renewables and we have already seen that potential with the construction of the Hammerfest device substructure at Arnish.”

SPR was awarded consent for the world’s first commercial sized tidal project in March 2011 and are currently working towards beginning installation of the tidal turbines in 2013.

This project will utilise the 1MW Hammerfest device, with a machine due to be installed at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney before the end of the year, in preparation for the Islay project.

January may seem a long way away, but put the date in your diary now – Saturday 28th January 2012, when Bowmore Hall will once again be the venue for IET’s Renewables Day. We’ll have a wide range of installers and experts for you to chat to, whether you’re a homeowner considering solar PV or a landowner thinking of a small wind turbine. Sessions in the adjoining hall will cover some of the technical and financial issues, such as the Feed-in Tariff and the Renewable Heat Incentive. More details will follow soon – watch this space!

Renewables day 2010

Which way for Renewable Electricity Generation?

Two key strategy documents were published in the last couple of weeks that will guide the UK and Scotland’s renewable electricity generation strategy for the next decade.

The UK Renewables Roadmap outlines the actions required to deliver UK Government commitments to increase the deployment and use of renewables.  This includes Scotland’s new target to generate the equivalent of 100 per cent of annual electricity demand from renewables by 2020, as set out in the 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland, published on June 30.

Swimmers competing in the 19th Islay Triathlon

Congratulations to all of the competitors in the 19th Islay Triathlon.  Stephen Whiston and Rebecca Helliwell picked up the honours in the male and female individual events and there was strong competition in the team events with Connor Boyd, Grahame Bauld and Jimmy Johnson  winning the male team event by just 21 seconds.

Full results are on the Islay Triathlon website along with photos of the event.

There were 29 competitors taking part including 10 juniors.  Next year is the 20th anniversary of the event so we’re looking forward to an extra special event.  Time to start training.

The Islay Senior Triathlon is sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables and Bruichladdich Distillery

Hammerfest Strom HS1000 Tidal Turbines

Developments in wave and tidal technologies are making excellent progress.  Evidence of the continued confidence and investment in the new technologies is demonstrated by the number of full-scale prototypes being tested at the EMEC test centre in Orkney.

The last two available berths at EMEC’s tidal test site have now been leased, and 10 full-scale wave and tidal prototype devices will be tested across both EMEC’s sites by the end of 2011.

Devices currently at the Centre include those deployed by Open Hydro, ScotRenewables, Tidal Generation Ltd/Rolls Royce, EON/Pelamis and Atlantis Resources Corporation.  These will be joined during the course of this year by a second Pelamis brought by ScottishPower Renewables and additional devices including those developed by Hammerfest Strom, Aquamarine Power, Wello Oy and Voith.

The Hammerfest Strom HS1000 Tidal Device is the type of device that will be used in the Sound of Islay Tidal Energy Project.  More details from the Scottish Government Energy Minister Fergus Ewing are available here.

Tidal Power South West of Islay from Natural Power

Renewable Energy consultants Natural Power have published tidal energy resource models for the west coast of Scotland including the area to the south-west of  the Rhinns of Islay.

This area was highlighted in the Crown Estate’s Further Scottish Leasing Round and the map demonstrates why this area is recognised for its enormous energy potential.

Click on the image for the full map.

Competitors after the Junior Triathlon 2011

The 19th Islay Junior Triathlon took place on Saturday 18th June.  Over 50 competitors took part aged between 10 and 14.  The weather held off and a few rain showers didn’t dampen the spirits.  All the results can be found on the Islay Triathlon website along with details of this Saturday’s Senior Triathlon.

The Islay Junior Triathlon is sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables and ActiveSchools.

The Islay Senior Triathlon is sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables and Bruichladdich Distillery

The latest IET newsletter is now available.  It includes updates on the Sound of Islay Tidal Energy Project, the RACES (Renewables and Carbon/Energy Savings) project and the ARC (Argyll Renewables Communities) project.  Click here to download the newsletter.

Hammerfest Strom HS1000 Tidal Turbines

The Sound of Islay Tidal Energy project has reached another milestone with the announcement by the Scottish Government that it has given consent to ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) to proceed with the project.  The project is the world’s first tidal energy array to be given consent and if testing is successful in Orkney this summer 10 x 1MW devices will be installed just south of Port Askaig in the summer of 2013.

Andy Macdonald, the Islay Energy Trust’s Tidal Project Officer said that he was delighted with the news – “To be the first consented tidal array in the world is a great achievement.  It is the result of the combined efforts of SPR, the Islay Energy Trust and the local suppliers that contributed to the Environmental Impact Assessment.  Now we can focus on the engineering challenges of the single device deployment in Orkney and start planning for a deployment in the Sound of Islay in 2013 of the ten Hammerfest Strom HS1000 Tidal Turbines.”

It is estimated that the project has spent almost £160,000 on services on Islay so far and this is likely to reach £500,000 by the time that installation is completed.  Philip Maxwell, Chairman of the IET, welcomed the successful cooperation with SPR.   He said, “What we have achieved together so far with this project sets a new benchmark for corporate – community cooperation.  IET looks forward to building on this model with SPR and other developers in the future exploitation of marine energy and offshore wind in the seas around Islay.”

Climate Week is a supercharged national occasion that offers an annual renewal of our ambition and confidence to combat climate change. It is for everyone wanting to do their bit to protect our planet and create a secure future.

Climate Week will shine a spotlight on the many positive steps already being taken in workplaces and communities across Britain. The power of these real, practical examples – the small improvements and the big innovations – will then inspire millions more people.

Find out more here

Climate Week Challenge

The Climate Week Challenge for Primary and Secondary schools takes one day, and will be held on Monday 21st March. Tens of thousands of people will take part simultaneously all over the UK.  Click here to find out more about the Climate Week Challenge and click here to register for it.