Scottish island creates innovative technique to maximise renewables potential

Renewable power is often derided as being good for immediate needs, but not a solution on which to base a regular, stable supply. The problem is that, rather than provide a predictable amount of energy like fossil fuels, renewable sources can supply too much energy at particular times, such as solar panels when the sun is shining, or very little, like solar panels at night. The solution posited is usually that we’d need to wait for Elon Musk, or another technological genius, to invent the perfect battery to provide storage to cater for times when the renewable sources are not generating. However, a group of companies, local government and non-profit agencies on a Scottish island have decided not to wait for that battery and go out and implement their own novel approach to providing clean power to their island and beyond.

The islanders on Eday have a natural advantage over other areas, in that they live in a location that is an ideal source of renewable energy. Wind, waves and the tide can all be easily harnessed to provide more energy than the island needs. A community owned 900kW wind turbine already provides energy to the islanders. This is augmented by a tidal testing facility offshore run by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), which can employ up to eight tidal turbines.

The two operations are so successful, that the energy generated provides more than enough electricity for the islanders needs. Any excess energy is then sent to the UK National Grid. At times, the energy generated even exceeds the infrastructure used to send power to the grid, so any excess energy has been wasted. But now, a new project has been launched to turn that excess power into energy that can be captured and used on demand. The “Surf ‘n’ turf” project will use the energy to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen, and then capture the oxygen. To support the project, infrastructure is being built in the Orkney’s capital, Kirkwall to use the hydrogen, as well as a training centre to provide workers with the skills to support the projects.

At the heart of the project is a 500kW EMEC Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser that breaks the water down. The hydrogen is then captured and stored, while the oxygen is released into the atmosphere. The PEM type of electrolyser is ideal for this type of project as it doesn’t require a stable input voltage. The stored hydrogen is then transported by ship to Kirkwall in a specialised container. When the energy is needed, it is used in a fuel-cell provided by Arcola Energy. Even the heat from the fuel-cell will be used for heating nearby businesses. It is also designed to marine standards and can be used to train future marine engineers. The project is led and managed by Community Energy Scotland, with partners, EMEC, Orkney Islands Council, Elday Renewable Energy and ITM Power.