The event is also a useful opportunity to keep everyone up to date with IET’s activities, and of course to gain new members, which won’t have escaped the notice of anyone trying to get into the hall without attracting the attention of Malcolm Ogilvie, our chief recruiter. Over 31 new membership forms were handed out on the day; most have found their way back to us, but if you still have yours then feel free to drop it into the office at any time. Our membership now stands at over 300, which helps to show good community engagement when we apply for funding support for projects.

Andy Macdonald gave a thorough and informative update on the Sound of Islay Tidal project, which is making good progress, and also on display was a selection of images from the recent visual assessment carried out for our single community wind turbine proposal near Castlehill. This project is still very much in the development stage as we are in negotiation over the ground lease, but Scottish Natural Heritage, as site owner, has very helpfully given us interim permission to carry out various studies to take full advantage of our current funding. This means that in addition to commissioning the visual assessment we have been able to apply for a grid connection for the project, and have recently submitted a planning application for a met mast on the site so that we can carry out the necessary wind speed assessments. We hope that this project, which would see the installation of one 330kW turbine, will one day earn a considerable income for the community – but there are a number of hurdles still to clear, not least that grid connection application.

The visual assessment has been a very interesting exercise, and it is encouraging to see how low-key the installation would be if it goes ahead. If you didn’t see the pictures on the day, they are available to see at our office in Main Street – please call in during office hours, all comments welcome.

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.

Is Solar PV still worth considering in 2012?

When does Solar PV not make sense?

If you’re still considering installing solar panels on your house, read both of these first – and  in particular, pay attention to the recommendation that before considering any renewable technology, you should first do the easy and cheap stuff – insulation, draught-proofing and taking more care in how you use your heating and hot water system will help keep your bills down with very little effort. In future, it’s likely that adoption of such measures will be mandatory before Feed-in Tariff can be paid, and rightly so. Installing solar panels or a heat pump in a draughty, poorly insulated house makes no sense, either financially or in terms of carbon saving  -  which is, after all, what the Feed-in Tariff is all about.

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.

Marine Scotland Map showing constraints and areas for further investigation for Offshore Wind to the West of Argyll

Marine Scotland have published their latest report Scoping Study for Offshore Wind Farm Development in Scottish Waters investigating the offshore wind plan options.  This report includes the first discussion of development outside Scottish Territorial Waters (STW) to 200 nautical miles and also considers the medium term options (beyond 2020).

The report builds on the earlier report Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in Scottish Territorial Waters (Blue Seas – Green Energy) using an improved (and more systematic) assessment process to consider current commercial activities such as fishing, environmental factors and other interests including recreational uses, visual and landscape impacts.

Whilst the previous report focused on the short term options up to 2020 within Scottish Territorial Waters (STW), the latest report extends this to include the area out to 200 nautical miles.  Much of this area is deeper than 60m and will require improvements in technology so is considered in terms of longer term development.

The study is the first investigation of the wider area and longer term options for Offshore Wind around Scotland.  It will be followed by the development of Regional Locational Guidelines for offshore wind development and this will then be followed by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

This is a long process that must involve wide consultation.  The short term sites in the previous plan (West of Islay and West of Tiree) are still going through Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).  The new study is looking at areas for investigation beyond this and are unlikely to go ahead before 2020.

The areas identified for further investigation include a large area from the north of Islay to south of Barra.  The report identifies this area as having a low to moderate levels of constraint and says that further detailed analysis of the area is required.

It is important to local communities that this process takes full account of the social and economic impacts to the region as well as the broader commercial and strategic benefits of these developments to Scotland as a whole.

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 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)

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 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.

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.

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.