Can these Smart Energy Islands lead us to Net Zero?
Written by
Alice Greville - Graduate Sustainability Consultant
To contact please email: alice.greville@mainer.co.uk
Small Islands around the UK have the opportunity to be pioneers for a net zero transition. With easy access to the strong winds and tidal energy that surrounds our Isles, they have the ability to create community focused transitions that create lasting action and change. What lessons can they teach us?
Small Island with Big Net Zero Ideas
Mainer is currently working with the Tresco Estate to help The Scilly Isles help meets its Net Zero 2030 Targets. These islands and others surrounding the UK are using their unique environment to lead the way with innovative Net Zero Solutions.
We look at what has recently happened on the islands and the renewable energy solutions that we could all learn from.
The Scilly Isles - Population 2,224
Located 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall coastline is the beautiful archipelago the Isles of Scilly. This haven boasts the title of an area of outstanding natural beauty and heritage coast, with only 5 out of the 55 islands inhabited and a community of just over 2,000 people it is no wonder they have such a strong sense of community within the isles.
The Scilly Isles. Image source: Weekend on... Tresco - Coast Magazine
What has the island achieved so far?
Boosted by a £10.8 million investment fund the Smart Islands Programme was launched this programme helped to create St Mary’s airport solar garden which generated around 44,000 kWh of renewable energy to the national grid as well as solar PVs helping to power runway lights and help to power the terminal building.
In 2021 the council also switched to a clean renewable energy tariff for all council properties.
Climate Action Plan - what has changed?
In 2019 the council of the Isles of Scilly declared a climate emergency with the goal to reach Net Zero by 2030. This goal was put into action in March of this year when it was unanimously by members at Full council. This Climate Action Plan sets out the commitment and plan of action as to how the council will cut their carbon emissions and how they will work with local businesses and the community to implement this.
This includes:
1. Collaborative working
Working with the local community to understand and manage their carbon footprint.
2. Power and Heat Generation
Updating and reviewing the corporate estate so that buildings rely on other alternative low carbon heating systems.
3. New Homes
A waste site management plan for all new homes and promote sustainable design methods such as rainwater and greywater harvesting.
4. Transport
Improving transport routes to promote walking and cycling and provide more cycle parking bays.
5. Protecting Nature
Preparation of a local nature recovery strategy to protect natural carbon sinks. Working with the local farming community and land managers to mitigate and adapt to climate change, avoiding the use of pesticides.
6. Reducing Waste
Establishing a curb side food waste collection scheme and reducing waste through the waste reduction strategy
7. Adaption for the future
To deliver the ERDF and Environment Agency funded Climate Adaptation Scilly programme of flood defence installations and upgrades across the islands
8. Supporting the community
Working with the South West Water, the Duchy of Cornwall and Tresco Estate to support sustainable sewage treatment across the islands.
9. Community engagement
Creating a collaborative working group including residents, stakeholders and businesses to help reach their target
10. Regional and national collaborations
Working with regional and national policy makers to support ambitions.
The Orkney Islands - Population 22,100
The Orkney isles are located around 16km north of Scotland’s mainland and are leading the way in innovative solutions to combat climate change with over 1,000 domestic renewable energy installations, including more than 650 wind turbines and almost 400 solar installations.
Brough of Birsay Lighthouse, Orkney. Image Source: Maxwell Andrews on Unsplash
Orcadians now produce well over 100% of their electricity needs from renewable energy. As an island known for its strong winds and powerful waves they are leading the way with creating one of the worlds first wave and tidal energy test centre known as EMEC whereby developers of tidal and wave energy converters come from around the world to test their new products. The creation of EMEC is well established amongst the renewable industry and has helped to generate an increase in local jobs and infrastructure as a result.
EMEC have also played a role in helping to develop the surf and turf initiative whereby hydrogen generated from excess renewable energy (also known as green hydrogen) is used to power harbour and ferry operations and vehicles used by the council.
Hydrogen Refuelling Station. Image Source www.orkney.com/life/energy/hydrogen
The Isle of Man - Population 84,069
Located in the Irish sea, the Isle of Man has the potential to generate 10MWe from wind energy and 30 MWp from solar (Feasibility study for renewable energy | Bureau Veritas UK).
Port Erin, Isle of Man. Image Source: James Qualtrough on Unsplash
With this potential the Isle of Man have developed their Climate Change Plan 2022-2027. This plan sets a target of 75% renewable energy by 2035.
This plan also aims to ban fossil fuel heating in new buildings by 2024.
With 30 % of UK total greenhouse gas emissions coming from heating and around half of that from heating our home (Source www.edfenergy.com/heating/advice/uk-boiler-ban), this is a step in the right direction.
They are also targeting the source of the problem with building regulations ensuring all new buildings are 97% efficient, enabling energy efficiency to increase and prices and emissions to fall.
The Isle of Eigg - Population 105
The Isle of Eigg is one of Small Isles in the Scottish Inner Hebrides with an area of just 12 sq mi, generates virtually all of its electricity using renewable energy.
Wind turbines on the Isle of Eigg, in Scotland. Image Source Isleofeigg/Flickr
Without access to the National grid, they have included all three renewables (water, wind and solar power) into a micro grid allowing the community to switch from generators and get 24-hour access to power to its residents. Launched in 2008 the Microgrid often gets 90-95% renewable energy with the Hydro able to get up to 100Kw.
This system was unanimously accepted by the residents and is a true community collaboration. Not only managed by the local community, but all households share an energy cap of 5Kw (10Kw for businesses) to supply is constant and sustainable.
To let residents know when renewables are generating a low amount of energy, a traffic light system has been set up at the pier: A red light means to limit usage, while a green light indicates normal usage.
The indications given by this mechanism can be adhered to voluntary, nonetheless they have resulted in a 20 per cent cut in energy use.
What can we learn from these Energy Islands?
In 2021, the Government set a target for all of the UK's electricity to come from clean sources by 2035.
These Smart Islands have shown, albeit on a small scale, that this can be done.
It’s via a use of innovative renewable energy solutions, a reduction in fossil fuel, energy efficient new builds and most importantly a willingness by the community to embrace change to benefit everyone.
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