Scotlands 'Renewable Energy' Thread

[Graham]

Target for renewable energy now 80 per cent

23/09/2010

Scotland's renewable electricity target for the next decade is being raised from 50 per cent to 80 per cent, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.

The FM confirmed the Scottish Government's increased national target - now 80 per cent of Scottish electricity consumption to come from renewables by 2020 - ahead of a major international conference in Edinburgh next week to help accelerate investment in the growing low carbon economy.

Scotland's existing target was established in 2007 and, aided by a rapid expansion in wind power, the country is on course to exceed its interim target of 31 per cent in 2011.

The Scottish Government has now calculated that significantly higher levels of renewables could be deployed by 2020 with little change to the current policy, planning or regulation framework in Scotland. A separate study for industry body Scottish Renewables, published today, reports similar conclusions.

Mr Salmond said:

"Scotland is blessed with abundant natural energy sources, particularly in our seas, where Scotland is estimated to have a quarter of Europe's potential wind and tidal energy capacity and a tenth of its wave resource. We are already on the path to a low carbon economy - Scotland gets nearly a quarter of it electricity from green sources.

"Scotland is ideally-placed to help lead the renewables revolution and taking account of the levels of planned investment over the next decade, I believe it is now time to aim higher and to go further.

"Recent work by Scottish Enterprise has shown the huge potential for employment in the renewable industry, with up to 28,000 direct jobs being created to service the Scottish, UK and worldwide markets for offshore wind turbines. It has also been estimated that 60,000 new green jobs could be created by 2020 in low carbon industries

"Strong leadership is needed across government and industry to attract the investment to deliver these jobs, so the Scottish Government is today raising the renewable generation target for 2020 to 80 per cent.

"We already have some seven Gigawatts (GW) of renewables capacity installed, under construction or consented around Scotland. Given the scale of lease agreements now in place to develop offshore wind, wave and tidal projects over the next decade it is clear that we can well exceed the existing 50 per cent target by 2020.

"The global imperative to cut emissions, coupled with rapid advances in energy efficiency and production, mean the global economy of 2050 will be vastly different from today's. However, the next ten years is the decisive decade for determining the shape, scale and pace of the renewable revolution and the transition to a low carbon future.

"The value of the global low carbon economy is estimated to reach some #4.3 trillion by the middle of this decade so now is the time to act. Next week senior figures from the financial and energy industries will join government and other public sector leaders in Edinburgh to identify how we best maximise the huge opportunities before us. It is vital that all of us work with ambition and vision to seize the moment and secure a sustainable future for the next generation."

First Minister Alex Salmond will open the two-day Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference on Tuesday September 28, where speakers and delegates will discuss the multi-billion pound opportunities presented by renewable energy and other low carbon developments.

Some people don't like all the windmills. But I like them and think they can enhance the landscape from afar. Good for the future The miserable weather is doing us a favour now

[Graham]

17 March 2011 Last updated at 10:27
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...-west-12767211
Islay to get major tidal power scheme


A major tidal energy project is to be built in the Sound of Islay off the west coast of Scotland.


The Scottish government has approved plans for 10 tidal turbines, which will generate enough electricity to power more than 5,000 homes.

Scottish Power Renewables is behind the scheme.

It put forward plans to invest £40m installing the turbines in the waters off Islay, which offer strong tidal flows and shelter from storms.

The required grid capacity to handle the array is also available in the area.

Finance and Sustainable Growth Secretary John Swinney said: "With around a quarter of Europe's potential tidal energy resource and a tenth of the wave capacity, Scotland's seas have unrivalled potential to generate green energy, create new, low carbon jobs, and bring billions of pounds of investment to Scotland.

"This development - the largest tidal array in the world - does just that and will be a milestone in the global development of tidal energy."

Commentators have said there is a sense of excitement in the marine energy industry over the announcement.

Keith Anderson, chief executive of Scottish Power Renewables, said:
"Today's announcement moves the whole marine renewables industry forward in Scotland and the UK.

"It is a first in terms of Marine Scotland approval for a tidal project in Scotland, and also a world first for an array of tidal power machines.

"The understanding we develop from Islay will be essential in delivering the larger planned projects in the Pentland Firth."

Scottish Power Renewables said the Islay project is the world's first tidal array.

But it could soon be dwarfed by the much larger scheme planned for the Pentland Firth, where there are proposals for 1,600 megawatts of production in the coming years, compared to Islay's 10-megawatt array.

The scheme will use Hammerfest Strom tidal turbines, which have been operating as a generating prototype in Norwegian waters for more than six years, and are being tested in Orkney ahead of work starting on the project next year.

Neil Kermode, managing director of the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, said: "This has been a long time coming.

"The big challenge for the industry is getting devices out there and literally getting metal wet.

"This is the first time that a major energy company has voted with its chequebook and pushed ahead with a tidal energy scheme on this scale."

Scottish Power Renewables applied for consent to construct and operate the demonstrator tidal array within the Sound of Islay in July 2010.

Scotland and the UK generally are seen as world leaders in tidal energy research, but the US and Canada are both investing heavily in the field.

'Leap forward'

Johanna Yates, Scottish Renewables Offshore policy manager, said: "This represents a major milestone for the marine energy sector in Scotland with the largest project consent granted to date and renewed confirmation of Scotland's place at the forefront of this promising global industry.

"The Islay project now looks set to be the world's first tidal power array and, once built, will triple the current capacity of marine energy projects in the UK.


"Not only does this represent a leap forward in clean, green electricity generated for Scottish homes and businesses from this growing sector, but the use of Scottish manufacturing for the 10 turbines will further feed the supply chain of our offshore renewables industry, bringing high value, sustainable jobs."

Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said: "Approval for this scheme is a further feather in Scotland's cap when it comes to renewable energy.

"Given the huge renewable energy potential around our coast, and the strong skills in offshore engineering, marine energy offers a fantastic opportunity for Scotland."

There is currently 3.4MW of marine energy installed capacity deployed in the UK.

The Scottish government has a target to meet 80% of electricity demand from renewables by 2020.

Good step forward. Would much prefer this than the windmills.

[Birka]

Just do not change the taste of Lagavulin or Laphraoig.

[Graham]

With wave and tidal, you're getting a much more predictable source of energy(moon energy! ) . Out of view aswell, whereas the windmills can be unpopular for some. But being an Island we have to utilise

Scotland Energy Plan Nixes Offshore Wind Projects Planned by E.ON, Dong
By Sally Bakewell - Mar 18, 2011 5:58 PM GMT
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-0...e-on-dong.html

Scotland has declared unviable three proposed locations for offshore wind farms, a potential setback for E.ON AG (EOAN) and Dong Energy A/S, which are planning projects at some of the sites.

The Crown Estate, which manages the U.K. seabed, granted in 2009 development rights for wind farms at 10 locations in Scottish waters. Scotland’s government today identified as suitable six of those sites, under its Blue Seas, Green Energy plan.

The plan found that three sites, in Kintyre, Solway Firth and Wigtown Bay, should not be included in the nation’s offshore wind plans, due to environmental and economic issues. Developers determined last year that radar issues made one area unsuitable.

The decision lets energy companies move forward with proposals to build as much as five gigawatts of wind farms by 2020, enough to power more than 3 million homes. It also means that E.ON, Germany’s largest utility, and Dong, the largest producer of electricity in Denmark, must reconsider their plans.

E.ON, which was awarded rights to develop the Solway Firth site, said it was “disappointed” with the decision made by the Scottish government. “We don’t know what our next steps will be at this stage,” Rebecca Mara, a spokeswoman for the company’s E.ON U.K. Plc unit, said by telephone.

Dong has not pulled out of its proposed project, and will take the conclusions of the report into consideration for Wigtown Bay “and when looking at any other future opportunities” in Scottish waters, spokesman Ulrik Frohlke said in an e-mail today.

E.ON and Dong may still submit applications to build wind farms at the excluded sites, though the environmental assessments would make it difficult for them to receive permits, a spokeswoman for the Scottish government said by phone.

Shelved Project

Scottish & Southern Energy Plc (SSE), the U.K.’s second-largest power producer, shelved this month plans to develop a 378- megawatt wind farm at the Kintyre site, off Scotland’s west coast, after surveys raised concerns about adequate winds and the project’s potential impact on air traffic and recreation. That decision “informed” Scotland’s evaluation, according to a statement.

Scottish & Southern and its development partner Fluor Ltd., the U.K. unit of the U.S. construction company Fluor Corp. (FLR), withdrew in May plans to build a wind farm at one of the 10 sites, citing radar issues.

Scottish & Southern is involved in two of the six projects that received approval.

The Blue Waters, Green Energy plan identified 25 additional offshore sites that may be suitable for wind projects.

[Graham]

Ministers approve plans for world's biggest wave farm in Western Isles
BBC News 22nd May 2013



Ministers have approved plans for the world's largest commercial wave farm.

Full consent has been given for a 40MW farm off the north-west coast of Lewis - enough to power nearly 30,000 homes.

Wave energy firm Aquamarine Power said it would begin installing its Oyster devices in the next few years, once grid infrastructure is put in place.

Energy giant SSE said last week it would not be able to commission work on a Western Isles subsea electricity cable before 2017.

Aquamarine said it planned "ultimately" to deploy between 40 and 50 devices along the coast at Lag na Greine, near Fivepenny Borve.

The project will be carried out by Aquamarine subsidiary Lewis Wave Power Limited.

Last year, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) gave planning permission for an onshore hydroelectric power plant which will be connected to the Oyster farm.




But last week SSE said it would not be able to commission work on an interconnector, which would transmit power generated by renewable projects on the Western Isles to customers on the mainland, before 2017.

Previously it had been suggested the £705m cable could be laid in 2015 and then 2016.

SSE said it has already spent £5m developing options for the interconnector.

Aquamarine is currently testing its second full scale wave machine, known as the Oyster 800, at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, and is now producing electrical power to the grid.

Chief executive Martin McAdam described the granting of planning permission for the farm as a "significant milestone" for the company.

He added: "The goal of our industry is to become commercial, and to do this we need two things - reliable technologies and a route to market.

"Our engineers are currently working hard on getting the technology right and we now have a site where we can install our first small farm, with a larger-scale commercial build out in the years ahead."

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar leader Angus Campbell said it was excellent news for the Outer Hebrides.

He added: "It is vital that developing technology like that of Aquamarine Power is retained in Scotland but, for that, we need to extend our electricity grid into the areas of best resource.

"Aquamarine Power's announcement adds further weight to the call for our transmission owner, SSE, to move quickly on construction of this link for which there is so much consented demand," he added.

In a separate development, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has announced that Scotland will be the first part of the UK to have a dedicated fund to help with the development of the wave energy sector.

Mr Ewing said the £18m Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund (MRCF), which was launched last year, is now to be used to provide support for the wave energy industry.

Speaking at the All Energy Conference in Aberdeen, he revealed projects would be able to apply for cash from next month.

Funding is expected to be awarded this summer.

He said: "All previous marine energy funding schemes have been open to both wave and tidal projects.

"We are proposing something very different here in Scotland, making us the first in the UK."

Mr Ewing said the fact that three leading tidal energy projects in Scottish waters had recently secured financial support from other sources - a European Commission fund and a UK government scheme - gave the Scottish government "the prospect do something different with the MRCF".

He added: "Scotland needs both wave and tidal stream technologies to help decarbonise our electricity system, increase energy security and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels."

Lang Banks, director of environmental charity WWF Scotland, hailed the move as a "very welcome and timely boost for the wave power industry in Scotland".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...iness-22611317

[Graham]

Tidal power from Pentland firth 'could provide half of Scotland's electricity'
Tidal streams could bring large amounts of energy within a decade if government support is available, study says
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Damian Carrington
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 10 July 2013 06.00 BST
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The world's best site for tidal power, the Pentland firth, could provide half of Scotland's electricity, according to the first robust estimate of its potential.

The tidal streams, which surge through the firth at five metres per second, could bring large amounts of renewable energy in reach within a decade if enough government support is available, said the Oxford University engineer behind the new study.

From Anglesey to the Severn estuary to Portland Bill, the UK has the greatest potential for generating predictable, clean energy from tidal channels. Turbines are already operating at Strangford Loch in Northern Ireland and prototypes are being tested in the Menai Straits off Anglesey.

But the Pentland firth is the greatest resource. "It is almost certainly the best site for tidal stream power in the world," said Thomas Adcock, at Oxford University, who led the new work published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A. The water flow is rapid there because the tide shifting from the Atlantic into the North Sea is forced through a narrow eight-mile channel.

The engineers developed new models to find the technical and economic "sweet spot" between the extremes of bringing water in the firth to a standstill and having a free flow. They calculated that underwater turbines strung across the entire width of the firth could generate a maximum 1.9GW of energy, averaged across the fortnightly tidal cycle. That is equivalent to 16.5 terawatt hours of electricity a year, almost half Scotland's entire annual electricity consumption in 2011. As Scotland already produces 14.6Twh a year of renewable energy, a fully exploited Pentland would bring Scotland close to meeting its aim of 100% renewable electricity by 2020.

However, Adcock's estimate of 1.9GW is far lower than the Scottish government's published estimate of 14GW, making suggestions of huge exports of electricity seem unlikely. Adcock said those behind the high estimate were "in a minority of one" in the academic community: "We are happy our number is very robust."

Four licences have been issued by the crown estate to different companies to develop tidal power in the Pentland firth. But Adcock said the potential of the channel could be compromised by piecemeal development, because early projects could be affected by reduced flows when later projects come on stream. "We do have a really good resource but to get that out you have to plan it as one unit," he said.

John Robertson, from the Crown Estate, welcomed the new work building understanding of the energy resource in the Pentland firth. He added: "We recognise the potential for interaction between projects and have had arrangements in place to manage those interactions since 2010."

Adcock said it would take 10 years to develop tidal power in the firth to a scale that had a national impact. "But it depends on the level of government financial support given, which is a political decision," he said. "As engineers we can make this happen – if the support is there."

The Pentland firth is a busy shipping route and it may be decided to leave a clear channel for traffic, which would reduce the electricity output. A full string of turbines would reduce the tidal flow by 30%, and although more work must be done, experts expect the environmental impact to be low. "Marine mammals are intelligent enough to avoid these things," said Adcock. "The turbine blades move pretty slowly compared to even a baby seal."

[Graham]

Largest offshore wind turbine now in Fife
http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.u...e-now-in-fife/

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The Samsung Heavy Industries prototype offshore turbine is the world’s largest and most powerful offshore wind turbine due to become operational later this year, and it is now standing at Energy Park Fife..

The structure is situated 50 metres offshore in the Firth of Forth and the tip of its blades stretch 196 metres above the sea. The nacelle, which contains all generating components for the turbine, was installed a couple of weeks ago and that was followed by the attachment of the three massive blades.

SHI is one of the world’s growing suppliers of onshore wind farm turbine technology and this is its first European offshore wind project. The Korean company has invested £70million in the Fife wind turbine demonstrator scheme, which has the potential to create up to 500 jobs in Scotland.

The project has the backing of First Minister Alex Salmond, whose Government wants all Scotland’s electricity to come from renewables by 2020.
The 7MW Fife turbine will deliver enough electricity to power 4,800 homes.

SHI said that, following a successful testing period, it will work to attract orders for its turbines. This would allow it to build a world-class manufacturing facility at Energy Park Fife. The company which wants to become a leading player in the European offshore wind sector, has been manufacturing 2.5MW wind turbines for four years and already has turbines installed in Korea, the US and Canada.

It chose to base its European operation at Energy Park Fife because of the area’s growing energy cluster and the huge opportunities this presents for supply chain companies, particularly those involved in the offshore wind sector.

The structure was installed by GRAHAM Construction, the principal contractor on the project. Leo Martin, executive director, GRAHAM Construction, said:- “This is a very important project for GRAHAM, one which was both interesting and rewarding.

The project was technically challenging and GRAHAM has risen to meet these challenges and has delivered a high quality product on time and within budget. This project cements the relationships we have forged with Samsung Heavy Industries, Fife Council and Scottish Enterprise as well as our supply chain partners and allows GRAHAM to continue to be an active participant and leader in the renewables and marine sector.”

SHI worked very closely with both Fife Council and Scottish Enterprise as it developed the project, which could help put the area firmly on the map as a major European hub for renewable technology.

Councillor Tom Adams, chair of the Levenmouth Area Committee said: “I was delighted to be able to visit the site on Thursday with other members of the Levenmouth Area Committee and was impressed by the excellent progress being made, so it’s fantastic to hear the construction is now complete.

“This is a vitally important project for the local area as this mast is a visual example of the regeneration of the Levenmouth Area.”

Maggie McGinlay director of energy and clean technologies at Scottish Enterprise, said: -“The development of the SHI turbine in Fife is testament to Scotland’s growing reputation as a global centre of expertise for the next generation of offshore wind energy technologies.

“This, along with planned investment from other key players such as Areva and Gamesa, is helping to create a potential manufacturing hub on the east coast, which would lead to significant opportunities for our supply chain companies.

“We look forward to continuing to work with SHI to support its long-terms ambitions for Scotland.”

The Crown Estate also worked closely with Scottish Enterprise to ensure Samsung had certainty regarding access to the seabed and to provide specialist advice, support and guidance to help it become established in the UK market.

“This long-term investment is a hugely important contribution to building the supply chain in Scotland and in driving growth of a world-class offshore wind industry.”

[Graham]

Floating windfarms raise hopes for a greener future

A green light for new floating platforms off the Scottish coast should help lower the cost of a low-carbon economy

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Floating windfarm, which ministers hope could hold the key to cutting the cost of renewable energy, has been given the go-ahead by the Crown Estate.

The Buchan Deep project will see five turbines with a combined power of 30 megawatts installed by the Norwegian oil company Statoil off the coast of Aberdeenshire in 100 metres of water.

Approval comes as rising fuel bills and a wavering political commitment to developing a low-carbon economy is leading some energy companies to consider cutting back on offshore wind.

Energy and climate change minister Michael Fallon said putting turbines on floating platforms rather than concrete bases in the seabed "underlines the dynamism of the sector". The scheme follows a trend set in the North Sea oil and gas business, where floating production platforms drastically reduced the cost of hydrocarbons and made it possible to move into deeper waters.

The wind industry has set itself a target of cutting its costs by 30 per cent and the Buchan Deep scheme is pencilled in as a major contributor if the trials go well. The Crown Estate, which manages most of the seabed around the UK, says it worked with Statoil for more than two years before approving the project.

"Investing in new technologies will be crucial to unlocking offshore wind potential over the long term while we focus on the current development pipeline," said Huub den Rooijen, head of offshore wind at the Crown Estate.

Fallon said: "This innovative project will lead to the construction of the first floating offshore windfarms in the UK. This underlines the UK's attractiveness as the number one destination for offshore wind development."

Statoil, which makes the bulk of its earnings from selling oil and gas, has been experimenting with one floating turbine, the Hywind, off the coast of Norway since 2009. The Scottish project allows the company to test the system as an "array", or farm, to see how it will work with half a dozen turbines operating simultaneously in close proximity. Statoil has not given a final investment approval to the Buchan Deep scheme but called the go-ahead from the Crown Estate a significant milestone towards getting a floating farm up and running.

"We look forward to a progressed dialogue with key stakeholders in Scotland, including communities, the local supply chain and the authorities," said Siri Espedal Kindem, Statoil's senior vice-president for renewable energy. "We will continue to mature the Hywind pilot towards a final investment decision, by conducting marine surveys and concept studies in order to demonstrate technical and commercial feasibility."

The need for cheaper solutions comes as the government's climate change adviser warned that offshore windfarms may not be built unless subsidies are increased by the government.

The committee on climate change wrote to Ed Davey, the energy and climate change secretary, in September saying that "required investment" was at risk unless further financial support was provided. A group of industry developers have made the same point to government.

But ministers believe it is up to industry to find ways of reducing the costs of offshore wind, and in late June unveiled proposed reductions in subsidy levels for the rest of the decade.

Den Rooijen, a former Shell oil executive, is optimistic that costs can be cut and that the sector will continue to grow, but admits that the UK is likely to see a retrenchment from the estimated 40,000MW (40 gigawatts) of projects that some originally believed could be possible.

"The full 40GW is not all going to be developed - certainly not over the near to medium term - and the consequence of that is [that] it is really important that the industry carries forward the best projects in the pipeline," he said.
Increased knowledge about seabed and weather conditions for foundations and cable costs allowed project developers to select which schemes to take forward and which not, he said.

Last month, offshore wind provided five per cent of national electricity consumption from around 24 farms producing 3.6GW. There is now, in total, more than 5GW - enough to power 4m homes - in operation or under construction, at an estimated cost close to £15bn.

The industry grew by 80 per cent as four very large offshore projects became operational during the last 18 months: Greater Gabbard, Gunfleet Sands III, Sheringham Shoal and the London Array off the coast of Kent, currently the biggest offshore windfarm in the world, generating 630MW of power.

Maria McCaffery, chief executive of trade body RenewableUK, stressed this month that the sector was providing jobs as well as low-carbon energy security: "Tens of thousands more will be joining the industry over the rest of this decade as we build out the rest of the projects in the pipeline - as long as government policy is supportive and provides the right framework for one of this country's greatest modern industrial and environmental success stories to reach its full potential."

[Graham]

Scottish government approves £800m Lochaber hydro scheme
13 December 2013 Last updated at 12:53

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A visualisation of the dam that would be built for the project

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The Scottish government has given its backing to a proposed new £800m hydro-electric scheme in Lochaber.

SSE plans to construct the 600MW project at Coire Glas, near Spean Bridge if the investment goes ahead.

The development would be Scotland's biggest ever pumped storage scheme but objectors warn it could damage tourism.

The John Muir Trust (JMT) objected to the planning application and has concerns that the project would have a "severe impact" on the landscape.

Scottish Natural Heritage had also said it would have a major negative impact on the local landscape and views would be significantly affected.

The pump storage hydro scheme is designed to "soak up" excess power generated by wind and wave farms, using it to pump water up to a reservoir.

That water is then released through tunnels to generate hydro electric power at times when consumers need it.

Those in favour of such schemes describe them as "green batteries", but opponents argue they use more energy than they produce.
The dam for the Cruachan hydro scheme in Argyll

SSE's Foyers hydro scheme on Loch Ness and ScottishPower's Cruachan project in Argyll both have a pumped storage element to them, but smaller than what has been proposed for Coire Glas.

Foyer's is 300MW and Cruachan is 440MW.

If SSE decides to invest in Coire Glas construction would take five to six years from 2015 and create about 150 jobs.

It would involve the construction of a dam, reservoir, underground power station and water tunnels in the hills above Loch Lochy.

Jim Smith, managing director of SSE Renewables, said that, while the government's consent was "very positive", other challenges remained.

He said: "SSE is now keen to engage further with both the UK and Scottish governments, as well as other relevant organisations, to develop an appropriate solution to the commercial challenges that could enable what would be an important asset for the UK energy system to progress."

'Gold rush'

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing granted the planning consent for the Coire Glas.

He said: "This development will bring many benefits to local trades being involved at various stages throughout the project.

"There will also be some indirect jobs resulting from the supply of goods, materials and services for construction."

Mr Ewing added: "With a huge 600MW generating capacity, this scheme will be by far the most powerful of its kind in Scotland. Whilst generating it will have the potential to provide up to 10% of Scotland's estimated peak electricity demand."

Scottish Renewables, an organisation representing the interests of energy developers, has welcomed the government's decision.

Senior policy manager Joss Blamire said: "This hydro scheme will act like a battery storing electricity for when it's needed most."

Helen McDade, head of policy at JMT, said the it had raised an objection on landscape grounds.

However, she added that experts had also advised the trust that pumped storage was an expensive option and the construction of conventional hydro schemes was being ignored.

JMT, a landscape conservation charity, has been calling on the Scottish and UK governments to have a "coherent" strategy on renewable projects, and not give consent on an "ad hoc" basis.

Ms McDade said: "It is a gold rush. There is so much money in renewables and energy companies are throwing up renewables as fast as possible."