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Feasibility Report for Hydrogen Energy Study Centre in Shetland |
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SREF has commissioned a feasibility study to identify, clarify and quantify the need and opportunity for a Hydrogen Energy Study Centre in Shetland to support the development of the emerging hydrogen renewables sector. The study will consider the economic viability of a hydrogen energy study centre but only so far as to determine broad establishment costs and potential income streams.
The timescale for this study is intended to be no more than 4 months from date of appointment.
To see the brief for the feasibility study please Click Here |
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BWEA Project Launch |
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Following almost three months of work by Climate Change Capital, BWEA has launched the findings and recommendations that emerged from its marine renewables support study.
Over 45 interviews were conducted over a 2 month period and the series of recommendations and actions that developed have been presented to Government over the past few weeks by the BWEA.
Key conclusions are:
* The UK has a fantastic opportunity to become a world leader in the development and deployment of wave and tidal power. Most of the companies involved in the sector, including those not currently based in the UK, see the UK as the place to develop their businesses
* Government financial support should focus on rewarding success and offer the tax payer best value for money
* A £75 million Marine Performance Fund is proposed for the first 50 MW of wave and tidal projects and developers would obtain premium payments for a suggested five years following production of electricity
* Given the right support framework, private capital will continue to be attracted to the sector removing the need for the Government to 'pick winners' through allocation of capital grants to companies in advance of deployment
* Government support in the form of capital grants for grid connection, decommissioning and consenting work should also be made available at a potential cost of some £40 million
* Continuation of capital grants at the research and development stage is also needed to bring through the next generation of technologies
The Government is close to finalising its 2004 spending review plans and the total amount proposed by the study for allocation to wave and tidal amounts to some £130 million.
The 'Into the Blue' proposal is merely the first, albeit vital, step in the emergence of the UK marine renewables industry as a significant player in the UK power portfolio. The study therefore recommends that the Government state that future transitional support will also be necessary for a successful industry.
The full report can be downloaded in electronic format from the BWEA website. |
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Shetland Renewable Energy Strategy |
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| The Shetland Strategy for Renewable Energy Development has been in development for over a year and is intended to be an important guide to the ongoing consensus of the Shetland community with regard to appropriate renewable energy development. The Strategy was launched on 15th January 2004 and if anyone wishes to have a copy of the SREF prepared "Shetland Strategy for Renewable Energy Development" please contact us at Shetland Renewable Energy Forum, Baltasound, Unst, Shetland ZE2 9DS; email: info@sref.co.uk |
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“Shetland Renewable Energy Forum Promotes Community Involvement” |
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The Shetland Renewable Energy Forum held a meeting on 21st January 2003 at the North Atlantic Fisheries College to review renewable energy developments in Shetland. The three main speakers all felt that community involvement was crucial for the development of a successful new renewable energy industry in Shetland.
Tavish Scott (MSP) emphasised “the importance of finding ways to involve the community in renewable energy projects to maximise community benefits”, and encouraged the SIC to promote this through planning legislation. He also detailed the support for renewable energy available through the Scottish Executive.
Colin Risbridger, who is responsible for the Scottish Community Renewables Initiative in Orkney and Shetland was impressed by “the high level of support and interest in renewable energy projects in Shetland.” He is currently involved in drafting a Strategy for Renewable Energy in Shetland, and hoped it would encourage further debate within Shetland.
Duncan Price from ESD, who is involved in the SCORE project based in Unst, gave a presentation concerning their company’s role and experience in advising on and developing community renewable energy schemes. He felt there was “enormous scope in Shetland for adopting some of the models of community ownership over renewable energy developments, which had been tried elsewhere.” |
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Promoting Unst Renewable Energy (PURE) Project Update |
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The PURE Project is being developed on the most northerly island in the UK. It’s immediate aim is to establish an embedded renewable energy system to serve a proportion of the energy needs of the main Industrial Estate on the island. The system involves energy saving measures; 2 x 15 KW Proven wind turbines; an electrolyser; hydrogen storage and dispensing plant; hydrogen fuel cells. The wider PURE Project includes a full assessment of the energy requirements of the island, an assessment of the renewable energy resource, an assessment of electrical quality and grid infrastructure, the establishment of a hydrogen demonstration and test centre to pilot applications for hydrogen fuel, and the development of an embedded energy system to meet the entire needs of the island from renewable sources. The ultimate aim is to work towards achieving the principles of a “Green Island” economy.
The Pure Project was awarded the Best Community Initiative (sponsored by GreenPower) at the Scottish Green Energy Awards in December 2003, for its aim to minimise carbon emissions using the latest renewable technologies, including fuel cells and hydrogen storage. |
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Viking Energy Ltd |
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Shetland seeks to become the UK’s Renewable Powerhouse as plans for a community controlled mega project are unveiled at the Shetland Oil Conference in November 2003.
Click here to see Shetland Islands Council's Press Release concerning the new, large windfarm project - Viking Energy Ltd |
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For Your Information |
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The Renewables Order has been amended to enable smaller generators, whose output is on average less than 500 kWh per month to benefit for ROCs.
Ofgem is working on revising its procedures to implement this change and hopes to issue these in early May. These will include specific procedures for small generators as defined.
Ofgem also intends to hold a workshop for generators in late April to explain these and to take on board comments as appropriate.
However, in the meantime, small generators who wish to apply will need to take a meter reading from their meter, recording renewable generation on 1 April 2004 as that will form their starting reading.
Given that such small generators are not already accredited, it is likely to be difficult to reach them and let them know this. |
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