Renewable energy in Scotland

Wind, wave and tide make up more than 80% of Scotland's renewable energy potential.

The production of renewable energy in Scotland is an issue that has come to the fore in technical, economic, and political terms during the opening years of the 21st century.[1] The natural resource base for renewables is extraordinary by European, and even global standards. In addition to an existing installed capacity[a] of 1.3 Gigawatts (GW) of hydro-electric schemes, Scotland has an estimated potential of 36.5 GW of wind and 7.5 GW of tidal power, 25% of the estimated total capacity for the European Union and up to 14 GW of wave power potential, 10% of EU capacity.[2][3] The renewable electricity generating capacity may be 60 GW or more, considerably greater than the existing capacity from all Scottish fuel sources of 10.3 GW.[2][4]

Much of this potential remains untapped, but continuing improvements in engineering are enabling more of the renewable resources to be utilised. Fears regarding "peak oil" and climate change have driven the subject high up the political agenda and are also encouraging the use of various biofuels. Although the finances of many projects remain either speculative or dependent on subsidies, it is probable that there has been a significant, and in all likelihood long-term change, in the underpinning economics.[5]

In addition to planned increases in both large-scale generating capacity and microsystems using renewable sources, various related schemes to reduce carbon emissions are being researched.[6] Although there is significant support from the public, private and community-led sectors, concerns about the effect of the technologies on the natural environment have been expressed. There is also an emerging political debate about the relationship between the siting, and the ownership and control of these widely distributed resources.[7]

Renewable energy

Biofuel
Biomass
Geothermal
Hydroelectricity
Solar energy
Tidal power
Wave power
Wind power

Contents

Realisation of the potential

In January 2006 the total installed electrical generating capacity from all forms of renewable energy was less than 2 GW, about a fifth of the total electrical production.[4] By January 2007 wind power capacity, which has been growing rapidly, reached 1 GW capacity, and the total for renewables had grown to over 2.3 GW.[8] By August 2009 wind power capacity was a fraction short of 1.5 GW and total renewables capacity had reached over 3.1 GW.[9] Renewables are now contributing over 19% of total electrical production,[10] and about 4% of all energy usage.[11] It should be borne in mind that electricity production is only part of the overall energy use budget. In 2002, Scotland consumed a total of 175 Terawatt-hours (TWh)[12] of energy in all forms, some 2% less than in 1990. Of this, only 20% was consumed in the form of electricity by end users, the great majority of energy utilised being from the burning of oil (41%) and gas (36%).[13][14]

Scotland also has significant quantities of fossil fuel deposits, including 62.4% of the EU's proven reserves of oil, 12.5% of the EU's proven reserves of gas and 69% of UK coal reserves.[3] Nonetheless, the Scottish Government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy production. In 2005 the aim was for 18% of Scotland's electricity production to be generated by renewable sources by 2010, rising to 40% by 2020.[15] In 2007 this was increased to 50 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2020, with an interim target of 31 per cent by 2011.[16] The following year new targets to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 were announced and then confirmed in the 2009 Climate Change Delivery Plan. Maf Smith, director of the Sustainable Development Commission in Scotland said "Governments across the world are shying away from taking the necessary action. The Scottish Government must be commended for its intention to lead the way".[17][18]

An important reason for this ambition is growing international concern about human-induced climate change. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's proposal that carbon dioxide emissions should be reduced by 60% was incorporated into the UK government's 2003 Energy White Paper.[2] The 2006 Stern Review proposed a 55% reduction by 2030.[19] The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fourth Assessment Report[20] has further increased the profile of the issue.[21]

Wind power

Further information: Wind power
5 MW wind turbine under construction at Nigg fabrication yard on the Cromarty Firth

Wind power is a renewable technology and produces no greenhouse gases during operation, although inevitably some are produced during construction and transport. The precise amounts involved are a matter of controversy. Manufacturers typically state that carbon emissions are 'paid back' within 3–18 months of production, but recent research claims that turbines located on peat bogs create incidental emissions that may increase this to 8 years or more.[22]

Wind turbines are the fastest growing of the renewable energy technologies in Scotland. Most turbines in the EU produce electricity at an average of 25% of their rated maximum power due to the intermittency of wind resources,[23] but Scotland's wind regime provides average of 40% or higher on the west and northern coasts. A small wind farm on Shetland with five Vestas V47 660 kW turbines recently achieved a world record of 58% capacity over the course of a year.[24]

There are now numerous large on-shore power stations including Black Law Wind Farm rated at over 96 MW, Hadyard Hill Wind Farm, which is the first wind farm in the UK able to generate over 100 MW, and Whitelee Wind Farm, a 322 MW project that is the largest onshore wind farm in Europe.[25][26][27][28] Nevertheless the siting of turbines has become a controversial issue amongst those concerned about the value of natural landscapes.[29]

It is estimated that 11.5 GW of onshore wind potential exists, enough to provide 45 TWh of energy. More than double this amount exists on offshore sites[2] where mean wind speeds are greater than on land.[30] The total offshore potential is estimated at 25 GW, which although more expensive to install, could be enough to provide almost half the total energy used in Scotland.[2] The first offshore turbines are operated by Talisman Energy, who have erected two large machines 25 kilometres (13 nmi) offshore adjacent to the Beatrice oilfield. These turbines are 88 metres (289 ft) high with the blades 63 metres (207 ft) long and have a capacity of 5 MW each, making them amongst the largest in the world.[31][32]

Plans to harness up to 4.8 GW of the potential in the inner Moray Firth and Firth of Forth were announced in January 2010. Moray Offshore Renewables and SeaGreen Wind Energy were awarded development contracts by the Crown Estate as part of a UK-wide initiative.[33][34] Also in 2010, discussions were held between the Scottish Government and Statoil of Norway with a view to developing a 5-turbine floating windfarm, possibly to be located off Fraserburgh.[35]

Wave power

Further information: Wave power
Pelamis on site at EMEC, the planned location for Scotland's first wave farm.

Various systems are under development at present aimed at harnessing the enormous potential available for wave power off Scotland's coasts. Pelamis Wave Power (previously Ocean Power Delivery) are an Edinburgh-based company whose Pelamis system has been tested off Orkney and Portugal. These devices are 150 metres (492 ft) long, 3.5 metres (11.5 ft) diameter floating tubes which capture the mechanical action of the waves. Future wave farm projects could involve an arrangement of interlinked 750 kW machines connected to shore by a subsea transmission cable.[36]

Another approach is used by the LIMPET 500 (Land Installed Marine Power Energy Transformer) energy converter installed on the island of Islay by Wavegen Ltd. It is a shore-based unit and generates power when waves run up the beach, creating pressure inside an inclined oscillating water column. This in turn creates pneumatic power which drives twin 250 kW the generators. Islay LIMPET was opened in 2001 and is the world's first commercial scale wave-energy device. The manufacturers are now developing a larger system in the Faroe Islands.[37][38]

Funding for the UK's first wave farm was announced by the Scottish Executive on 22 February 2007. It will be the world's largest, with a capacity of 3 MW generated by four Pelamis machines at a cost of over 4 million pounds.[39] The funding is part of a new £13 million funding package for marine power projects in Scotland that will also support developments to Aquamarine's Oyster and Ocean Power Technology's PowerBuoy wave systems, AWS Ocean Energy's sub-sea wave devices, ScotRenewables' 1.2 MW floating rotor device, Cleantechcom's tidal surge plans for the Churchill barriers between various Orkney islands, the Open Hydro tidal ring turbines, and further developments to the Wavegen system proposed for Lewis as well as a further £2.5 million for the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) based in Orkney.[40] This is a new Scottish Executive-backed research facility that has installed a wave testing system at Billia Croo on the Orkney mainland and a tidal power testing station on the nearby island of Eday.[41] At the official opening of the Eday project the site was described as "the first of its kind in the world set up to provide developers of wave and tidal energy devices with a purpose-built performance testing facility."[42]

The Siadar Wave Energy Project was announced in 2009. This is a 4 MW system to be built by npower Renewables and Wavegen, 400 metres off the shore of Siadar Bay, in Lewis.[43] In early 2010 two areas were identified for substantial offshore wind development, in the Moray Firth basin and outer Firth of Forth. Shortly afterwards the Government earmarked eleven sites they expected to benefit from the construction of up to 8,000 offshore turbines by 2020. These included Campbeltown and Hunterston, four sites previously used for offshore oil fabrication at Ardersier, Nigg Bay, Arnish and Kishorn and five east coast locations from Peterhead to Leith.[44] In May 2010 the "Vagr Atferd P2" Pelamis 750 kW system was launched for testing by EMEC. The device weighs 1500 tonnes and is 180 metres long.[45]

Tidal power

Further information: Tidal power
European Marine Energy Centre Tidal power test site on Eday under construction

Unlike wind and wave, tidal power is an inherently predictable source. However the technology is in its infancy and numerous devices are in the prototype stages. Today it is known that a tall tubular tower with three blades attached to it is the typical profile of a wind turbine, but twenty-five years ago there were a wide variety of different systems being tested.[46] This is the current situation with regard to tidal power. Some systems capture energy from the tides in a vertical direction. The tide comes in and raises the water level in a basin. As the tide lowers the water in the basin is discharged through a turbine. Tidal stream power captures energy from the flow of tides, usually using underwater plant resembling a small wind turbine. To date the only installed tidal power plant of any size is the 240 MW rated barrage scheme at the Rance Estuary in Brittany, which has been operating successfully for more than 25 years, although there are a number of other much smaller projects around the world.[47] An example is Marine Current Turbines SeaGen 1.2 MW device at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, which is the first commercial scale tidal turbine in the world.[48]

The Pentland Firth between Orkney and mainland Scotland has been described as the "Saudi Arabia of tidal power"[49] and may be capable of generating up to 10 GW.[50] In March 2010 a total of ten sites in the area, capable of providing an installed capacity of 1.2 GW of tidal and wave generation were leased out by the Crown Estates.[51] Several other tidal sites with considerable potential exist in the Orkney archipelago.[52] Tidal races on the west coast at Kyle Rhea between Skye and Lochalsh, the Grey Dog north of Scarba, the Dorus Mòr off Crinan and the Gulf of Corryvreckan also offer significant prospects.[50][53]

In August 2010 the Atlantis Resources Corporation 's AK-1000 turbine, which has 18 metres (59 ft) blades was unveiled at Invergordon. It is claimed to be the largest tidal turbine ever built and will be tested by EMEC off Eday.[54] The same company has announced that it is considering a site near the Castle of Mey for a computer data centre that would be powered by a tidal scheme in the Pentland Firth.[55] In the same month it was announced that 10 HS1000 Norwegian turbines, capable of generating 1 MW each, could be installed in the Sound of Islay and that the BiFab yard at Arnish had won a £2 million contract to build some of the structures' components.[56]

Hydro-electric power

Further information: Hydro power
A typical Highland hydro-electric dam at Loch Laggan

Scotland has 85% of the UK's hydro-electric energy resource,[57] much of it developed by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board in the 1950s. The "Hydro Board", which brought "power from the glens", was a nationalised industry at the time although it was privatised in 1989 and is now part of Scottish and Southern Energy plc.

Numerous remote straths were flooded by these schemes, many of the largest of which involved tunneling through mountains as well as damming rivers. Emma Wood, the author of a study of these pioneers wrote:

I heard about drowned farms and hamlets, the ruination of the salmon-fishing and how Inverness might be washed away if the dams failed inland. I was told about the huge veins of crystal they found when they were tunnelling deep under the mountains.[58]

Current capacity is 1.33 GW[4] and includes major developments such as the 120 MW Breadalbane scheme and the 245 MW Tummel system. It is estimated that little more than another 0.3 GW remains available to develop.[2] There is further potential for new pump storage schemes that would work well with intermittent sources of power such as wind and wave. Examples include the 440 MW Cruachan Dam and 300 MW Falls of Foyers schemes.[59] The 100 MW Glen Doe project, currently under construction and Scotland's largest civil engineering project, is the first large scale scheme in Scotland for almost fifty years but is likely to be one of the last of its kind.[60][61]

There is certainly further potential for small-scale run of the river local schemes such as the existing one in Knoydart and planned for Kingussie,[62] but the total effect of such schemes, although important locally, will be tiny on a national basis. The production of hydro electricity has a long history in Scotland but given that the available catchment areas have practically all been exploited it is unlikely that there will be scope for the further development of significant amounts of new hydro generation.[63]

Biofuels

Further information: Biofuels

Biodiesel

Various biodiesel schemes exist at present, and as with most renewables, interest is growing in the subject. Westray Development Trust operate a biodiesel vehicle fueled by the residual vegetable oils from the Orkney archipelago fish and chip outlets.[64] On a larger scale Argent Energy's plant in Motherwell recycles tallow and used cooking oil to produce 50 million litres of biodiesel per annum.[65]

A major benefit of biodiesel is lower carbon emissions, although the energy balance of liquid biofuels is a matter of controversy.[66] Research is being undertaken into converting rapeseed oil into biodiesel,[64] and the European biofuels directive intends to ensure that 5.75% Europe's transport fuel comes from renewable sources by 2010. However, there is only enough used vegetable oil in the UK to contribute 0.38% of current road fuel demand and if all the arable land in the UK were turned over to biofuel crops this would still only satisfy 22% of the existing requirement for road transport. Serious concerns regarding the ethics of growing biodiesel in developing countries and importing the fuel to Europe have been raised on the grounds that they may replace much needed food crops.[5] Converting any mainstream transport system to a renewable one also involves the conundrum that for consumers to use it the infrastructure must be in place, but high levels of use may be required to finance the infrastructure.[5] Developments are thus slow at present and renewably powered vehicles very much the exception.

Due to the relatively short growing season for sugar producing crops, ethanol is not commercially produced as a fuel in Scotland at present.[67] However there are encouraging developments in cellulosic decomposition that might enable grass or tree crops to be used to this end in future and which may prove to have lower net carbon emissions than other production techniques.[68][69]

Biogas, anaerobic digestion and landfill gas

Biogas, or landfill gas, is a biofuel produced through the intermediary stage of anaerobic digestion consisting mainly of 45–90% biologically produced methane and carbon dioxide. In early 2007 a thermophilic anaerobic digestion facility was commissioned in Stornoway in the Western Isles. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Renewable Energy Association are also leading the way towards the establishment of a digestate standard to facilitate the use of solid outputs from digesters on land. Anaerobic digestion and mechanical biological treatment facilities have been planned at a number of other locations in Scotland, such as Westray.[70]

It has been recognised that biogas (mainly methane) – produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic matter – is potentially a valuable and prolific feedstock. It is estimated that 0.4 GW of generating capacity might be available from agricultural waste in Scotland.[2] The Scottish Executive and SEPA has funded seven small scale farm trial plants with the British anaerobic digestion company Greenfinch in Southwest Scotland.[71] Landfill sites have the potential for a further 0.07 GW with sites such as the Avondale Landfill in Falkirk already utilising their potential.[72]

Solid biomass

Further information: Biomass

Wood fuel almost certainly exceeds hydroelectric and wind as the largest source of renewable energy at present. Scotland's forests, which currently make up 60% of the UK resource base,[73] could provide up to 1 million tonnes of wood fuel per annum.[38] The biomass energy supply in Scotland could reach 450 MW or higher in coming years, (predominantly from wood), with power stations requiring 4,500–5,000 oven dry tonnes per annum per megawatt of generating capacity.[73] The energy company E.ON has constructed a 44 MW biomass power station at Lockerbie using locally sourced crops[74] while the smaller but not insignificant EPR Westfield power plant in Fife produces 9.8 MW of output using chicken litter as fuel.[75] The Forestry Commission are developing a Scottish Biomass Action Plan in conjunction with the Scottish Executive, and the latter is expected to provide a £7.5 million grant scheme to support biomass energy. There is growing demand for automatic wood pellet boilers which can be as convenient to use as conventional central heating systems, and which may be cheaper to run as well as being carbon neutral.[38]

There is also local potential for energy crops such as short-rotation willow or poplar coppice, miscanthus energy grass, agricultural wastes such as straw and manure, and forestry residues.[38][76] These crops could provide 0.8 GW of generating capacity.[2]

Micro systems

Whisky distilleries have a role to play in keeping Scots warm.

The Energy Savings Trust has estimated that micro-generation could provide a significantly increased proportion of the UK's electricity demand by 2050[14] although only a fraction of this would come from renewable sources.[77] The current Scottish output is negligible. In May 2006 the then Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm launched a Planning Advice Note aimed at promoting micro-renewables.[78] Small-scale 'wind2heat' projects, which use wind turbines to power electrical storage heaters directly,[79] have proven to be successful in remoter rural areas;[80] as have various other local schemes such as air source heat pumps.[81]

Whisky distilleries may have a locally important part to play. Caithness Heat and Power have announced plans to tackle fuel poverty in Wick by utilising a wood chip CHP scheme in partnership with the Old Pulteney Distillery.[82] On the island of Islay, a swimming pool is heated using waste heat from the Bowmore distillery.[83] In Edinburgh, Tynecastle High School, due to be completed in 2010, will be heated by waste heat from the neighbouring North British Distillery.[84] In 2009 the Diageo Cameron Bridge distillery announced plans for a £65 million facility to generate energy from the spent "wash" created in the manufacturing process, which will aim to replace 95% of the plan's existing fossil fuel use.[85]

There are also a growing number of Micro hydro systems on smaller watercourses, especially in more remote rural locations.[86][87]

Solar energy

Further information: Solar energy
The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Solar panels are just visible left of centre.

Despite Scotland's relatively low level of sunshine hours, solar thermal panels can work effectively as they are capable of producing hot water even in cloudy weather.[88][89] The technology was developed in the 1970s and is well-established with various installers in place such as Solar Power Scotland of Montrose, although AES Solar based in Forres (who provided the panels for the Scottish Parliament building)[90] are Scotland's only manufacturer.

There are few examples of photovoltaic panels, which generate electricity, in Scotland as the price is not currently competitive. The introduction of Feed-In Tariffs in April 2010 will shorten the payback period on the cost of a PV installation, making solar PV a competitive form of renewable generation. The largest installation in Scotland is a 21 kWp system at the Sir E. Scott secondary school in Tarbert, Harris.[91] The UK's practicable resource is estimated at 7.2 TWh per annum,[14] which in the Scottish context is the approximate equivalent of 70 MW or less of installed capacity.

The "road energy system" uses water pipes buried beneath a layer of tarmac. In the summer, the dark asphalt is heated by the sun which in turn heats the water in the pipes. This water can be stored in an underground aquifer and the heat extracted in winter using a heat pump. The system can be used to warm or cool down roads, keeping them ice-free and/or preventing softening due to overheating. Alternatively, the stored energy can be used for cooling buildings.[92][93] The system was developed in the Netherlands and has been licensed by Ullapool-based Invisible Energy Systems, who have installed the technology in their car park.[94]

Geothermal energy

Further information: Geothermal power

Geothermal energy is obtained by tapping the heat of the earth itself. Most systems in Scotland provide heating through a ground source heat pump which brings energy to the surface via shallow pipe works. An example is the Glenalmond Street project in Shettleston, which uses a combination of solar and geothermal energy to heat 16 houses. Water in a coal mine 100 metres (328 ft) below ground level is heated by geothermal energy and maintained at a temperature of about 12 °C (54 °F) throughout the year. The warmed water is raised and passed through a heat pump, boosting the temperature to 55 °C (131 °F), and is then distributed to the houses providing heating to radiators.[95]

Although the pumps may not be powered from renewable sources, up to four times the energy used can be recovered. Installation costs can vary from £7,000 to £10,000, and grants may be available from the Scottish Community and Householders Renewables Initiative operated by Community Energy Scotland for domestic properties up to a maximum of £4,000.[96] Perhaps up to 7.6 TWh of energy is available on an annual basis from this source.[97]

Other means of reducing carbon emissions

It is clear that if carbon emissions are to be reduced, a combination of increased production from renewables and decreased consumption of energy in general and fossil fuels in particular will be required.[98] On the latter front, Gordon Brown, the then UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced in November 2006 that within a decade all new houses would have to be 'zero carbon'.[99] A variety of other options exist, most of which may affect development of renewable technologies even if they are not means of producing energy from renewable sources themselves.

Other renewable options

Various other ideas for renewable energy in the early stages of development, such as ocean thermal energy conversion, deep lake water cooling, and blue energy, have received little attention in Scotland, presumably because the potential is so significant for less speculative technologies.

Carbon offsetting

Carbon offsetting involves individuals or organisations compensating for their use of fossil fuels by making payments to projects that aim to neutralise the effect of these carbon emissions. Although the idea has become fashionable, the theory has received serious criticism of late.[100][101]

Nonetheless, a credible option may be to plant trees within the local bioregion and maintain the forest on a permanent basis, thus locking up carbon produced by burning fossil fuels. In British growing conditions this method can compensate for carbon at a rate of 200 tonnes per square kilometre (0.89 tons/acre) planted over a 100 year period. Thus a 4-square-kilometre (988-acre) plantation could uptake 200 tonnes (220 tons) of carbon over twenty-five years.[102] This is the equivalent of 10,000 tonnes (11,000 short tons) of carbon dioxide.[103] The weaknesses of the approach include uncertainty as to whether the planting might have occurred anyway and who, in the future, will ensure permanence. However, there is likely to be a greater level of credibility inherent in a nearby and visible scheme than in a far-distant one.

Challenges and opportunities offered by non-renewables

The following technologies are means of reducing the effect of carbon emissions and form an important aspect of the energy debate in Scotland and are included here for completeness. Their effect is likely to influence the future direction of commercial renewable energy, but they are not renewable forms of energy production themselves.

Carbon sequestration: Also known as carbon capture and storage, this technology involves the storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is a by-product of industrial processes through its injection into oil fields. It is not a form of renewable energy production, but it may be a way to significantly reduce the effect of fossil fuels whilst renewables are commercialised. It may also be an intermediate step towards a 'hydrogen economy' (see below), which could either enable further renewable development or conceivably out-compete it. The technology has been successfully pioneered in Norway[104] but is still a relatively untried concept.

'Clean coal' technology: It is has been estimated that it will be 2020 to 2025 before any commercial-scale clean coal power stations (coal-burning power stations with carbon capture and sequestration) are widely adopted.[105] Moreover, some have criticised the clean coal approach[106] and it is at best a means of ameliorating carbon emissions. It is not a form of renewable energy production, although like carbon sequestration it offers a significant commercial challenge to renewable developments.[107][108] In 2009 a licence to test underground coal gassification technology in Fife was granted to Thornton New Energy.[109] However, a plan to build a new "clean coal" power station at Hunterston collapsed in 2009 after financial backing was withdrawn.[110]

Nuclear power: Renewable energy as a concept generally excludes nuclear power[111][112] although this stance has been challenged.[113][114]

Incineration: There is a successful waste-to-energy incineration plant at Lerwick in Shetland which burns 22,000 tonnes (24,250 tons) of waste every year and provides district heating to over 600 customers.[115] Although such plants generate carbon emissions through the combustion of the biological material and plastic wastes (which derive from fossil fuels), they also reduce the damage done to the atmosphere from the creation of methane in landfill sites. This is a much more damaging greenhouse gas than the carbon dioxide the burning process produces,[5] although other systems which do not involve district heating may have a similar carbon footprint to straightforward landfill degradation.[116]

Hydrogen

Hypod and windmills at the PURE site on Unst

Although hydrogen offers significant potential as an alternative to hydrocarbons as a carrier of energy, neither hydrogen itself nor the associated fuel cell technologies are sources of energy in themselves. Nevertheless, the combination of renewable technologies and hydrogen is of considerable interest to those seeking alternatives to fossil fuels.[117] There are a number of Scottish projects involved in this research, supported by the Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association (SHFCA).[118]

The PURE project on Unst in Shetland is a ground-breaking training and research centre which uses a combination of the ample supplies of wind power and fuel cells to create a wind hydrogen system. Two 15 kW turbines are attached to a 'Hypod' fuel cell, which in turn provides power for heating systems, the creation of stored liquid hydrogen and an innovative fuel-cell driven car. The project is community-owned and part of the Unst Partnership, the community's development trust.[119]

In the Western Isles a plan to enable a £10 million waste management plant into a hydrogen production facility was announced in June 2006. The Council have also agreed to purchase hydrogen-fuelled buses and hope the new plant, which will be constructed in partnership with the local Hydrogen Research Laboratory, will supply island filling stations and houses and the industrial park at Arnish.[120]

ITI Energy is a company with the aim of funding Research and Development programmes in the energy sector. It is a division of ITI Scotland, which also includes a life sciences and digital media division. ITI Energy has attracted the Alterg project, a French company that is developing technology for the cost-effective storage of hydrogen.[121][122]

In July 2008 the SHFCA announced plans for a "hydrogen corridor" from Aberdeen to Peterhead. The proposal involves running hydrogen powered buses along the A 90 and is supported by Aberdeenshire Council and the Royal Mail.[123] The economics and practical application of hydrogen vehicles are currently being investigated by the University of Birmingham in England.[124]

The "Hydrogen Office" in Methil aims to demonstrate the benefits of improved energy efficiency and renewable and hydrogen energy systems.[125]

Local vs national concerns

"A battle that pitches environmentalists against conservationists."

A significant feature of Scotland's renewable potential is that the resources are largely distant from the main centres of population. This is by no means coincidental. The power of wind, wave and tide on the north and west coasts and for hydro in the mountains makes for dramatic scenery, but sometimes harsh living conditions. W. H. Murray described the Hebrides as "the Isles on the Edge of the Sea where men are welcome—if they are hard in body and in spirit tenacious."[126]

This happenstance of geography and climate has created various tensions. There is clearly a significant difference between a renewable energy production facility of modest size providing an island community with all its energy needs, and an industrial scale power station in the same location that is designed to export power to far distant urban locations. Thus, plans for one of the world's largest onshore windfarms on the Hebridean island of Lewis, have generated considerable debate.[29] A related issue is the planned high-voltage Beauly–Denny power line which will bring electricity from renewable projects in the north and west to the cities of the south. The matter went to a public inquiry and has been described by Ian Johnston of The Scotsman as a "battle that pitches environmentalists against conservationists and giant energy companies against aristocratic landowners and clan chiefs".[127] In January 2010 Jim Mather, the Energy Minister, announced that the project would be going ahead, notwithstanding the more than 18,000 objections received.[128]

There is considerable support for community-scale energy projects.[129] For example, Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, has stated that "we can think big by delivering small" and aspires to have a "million Scottish households with access to their own or community renewable generation within ten years".[49] The John Muir Trust has also stated that "the best renewable energy options around wild land are small-scale, sensitively sited and adjacent to the communities directly benefiting from them",[130] although even community-owned schemes can prove controversial.[131]

A related issue is the position of Scotland within the United Kingdom. It has been alleged that UK transmission pricing structures are weighted against the development of renewables in Scotland,[132][133][134] a debate which highlights the contrast between the sparsely populated north of Scotland and the highly urbanised south and east of England. Although the ecological footprints of Scotland and England are similar the relationship between this footprint and the biocapacities of the respective countries are not. Scotland's biocapacity (a measure of the biologically productive area) is 4.52 global hectares (gha) per head, some 15% less than the current ecological effect.[135] In other words, with a 15% reduction in consumption, the Scottish population could live within the productive capacity of the land to support them. However, the UK ecological footprint is more than three times the biocapacity, which is only 1.6 gha head, amongst the lowest in Europe.[136][137] Thus, to achieve the same end in the UK context, consumption would have to be reduced by about 66%.

The developed world's economy is presently very dependent on inexpensive 'point-source' fossil fuels. Scotland, as a relatively sparsely populated country with significant renewable resources, is in a unique position to demonstrate how the transition to a low-carbon, widely distributed energy economy may be undertaken. A balance will need to be struck between supporting this transition and providing exports to the economies of densely populated regions in the Central Belt and elsewhere, as they seek their own solutions. The tension between local and national needs in the Scottish context may therefore also play out on the wider UK and European stage.[138]

Promotion of renewables

Growing national concerns regarding "peak oil" and climate change have driven the subject of renewable energy high up the political agenda. Various public bodies and public-private partnerships have been created to develop the potential. The Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland, (FREDS) is a partnership between industry, academia and Government aimed at enabling Scotland to capitalise on its renewable energy resource. The Scottish Renewables Forum is an important intermediary organisation for the industry, hosting the annual Green Energy Awards. Community Energy Scotland provides advice, grant funding and finance for renewable energy projects developed by community groups. Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) is a public-private partnership created to identify and promote renewable energy opportunities for businesses in the north-east.[139] In 2009 AREG formed an alliance with North Scotland Industries Group to help promote the North of Scotland as an "international renewable energy hub".[140]

The Forestry Commission is active in promoting the biomass potential. The Climate Change Business Delivery Group aims to act as a way for businesses to share best practice and address the climate change challenge. Numerous universities are playing a role in supporting energy research under the Supergen programme, including fuel cell research at St Andrews, marine technologies at Edinburgh, distributed power systems at Strathclyde[74] and biomass crops at the UHI Millennium Institute's Orkney College.[141]

In 2010 the Scotcampus student Freshers' Festivals held in Edinburgh and Glasgow will both be powered entirely by renewable energy in a bid to raise awareness with young people in Scotland.[142]

Recent events

New data appears on a regular basis and milestones in 2007-9 include the following.

In February 2007 the commissioning of the Braes of Doune wind farm took the UK renewables installed capacity up to 2 GW.[143] Total Scottish capacity at October 2007 was 1.13 GW from 760 turbines and increased to 1.3 GW by September 2008 and 1.48 GW by August 2009.[9][144][145] The Robin Rigg 180 MW wind farm in the Solway Firth, Scotland first large offshore wind farm, is expected to commence production in the summer of 2009.[146]

Also during 2007 Scottish and Southern Energy plc in conjunction with the University of Strathclyde began the implementation of a 'Regional Power Zone' in the Orkney archipelago. This ground-breaking scheme (that may be the first of its kind in the world) involves 'active network management' that will make better use of the existing infrastructure and allow a further 15MW of new 'non-firm generation' output from renewables onto the network.[147][148] Heat and Power Ltd. of Westray are involved in developing an innovative digestor system that is being trialled at Tuquoy farm. Designed by Sam Harcus and Colin Risbridger, it is capable of handling up to 1,500 tonnes of feedstock per annum. Scottish & Southern Energy have been asked to provide for an export capacity of 40kWe. The aim is to help move the farm towards being powered by 100% renewable energy.[149][150]

In January 2008 it was reported that Professor Graeme Walker of the University of Abertay is leading a project aimed at using grain that is a by-product of whisky distilling as a biofuel.[151]

In February 2008 plans to build a 10MW prototype tidal energy plant in the Pentland Firth were announced by Tocardo Tidal Energy Ltd. of Wick. Production is expected to commence in 2009.[152][153] The following September, Scottish Power announced plans for two tidal projects in the same area, pending successful tests of a £6 million prototype.[154]

In January 2009 the government announced the launch of a "Marine Spatial Plan" to map the potential of the Pentland Firth and Orkney coasts and agreed to take part in a working group examining options for an offshore grid to connect renewable energy projects in the North Sea to on-shore national grids.[155] The potential for such a scheme has been described as including acting as a "30 GW battery for Europe's clean energy".[156]

In July 2009 a new study called "The Power of Scotland Renewed" was published. Its findings indicated that the country could meet all its electricity needs by 2030 without the requirement for either nuclear or fossil fuel powered installations.[157]

In April 2010 permission was granted for four new hydro schemes totaling 6.7 MW capacity in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.[158]

Summary of Scotland's resource potential

Technology Capacity in 2010 (GW) Potential capacity (GW) Potential energy (TWh)
per annum
Onshore wind 2.1 11.50 45.0
Offshore wind 0 25.00 82.0
Wave 0.0008 14.00 45.7
Tidal stream 0 7.50 33.5
Hydro 1.4 1.63 5.52
Wood 0.04 0.45 1.8
Biomass (non wood)   0.84 6.6
Biodiesel   0.14 1.0
Landfill gas 0.061 0.07 0.6
Geothermal   1.50 7.6
Solar     5.8
Total 2.8 62.63 236.6

Table notes

a. ^ Note on 'installed capacity' and 'potential energy'. The former is an estimate of the maximum productive output of a given technology or individual generation station at a single point in time. The latter takes into account the likely intermittency of energy supply and is a measure of output over a period of time. Thus, for example, individual wind turbines may have a 'capacity factor' of between 15% and 45% depending on their location, with a higher capacity factor giving a greater potential energy output for a given installed capacity. The 'potential energy' column is thus an estimate based on a variety of assumptions including the installed capacity. Although 'potential energy' is in some ways a more useful method of comparing the current output and future potential of different technologies, using it would require cumbersome explanations of all the assumptions involved in each example, so installed capacity figures are generally used.

b. Table notes and sources:

Total capacity from all sources in 2006 was estimated at 10.3 GW[4] and 9.8 GW.[3] It is estimated by RSPB Scotland et al. (February 2006)[2] that electricity output would decline from the current total of 50 TWh per annum to about a third of this figure by 2020 due to decommissioning of existing non-renewable capacity if no new capacity was installed. In 2006 total energy demand was 177.8 TWh.[159] Electricity makes up 20% of total energy use, but about 15 TWh are exported or lost in transmission.[2]
All figures above are from RSPB Scotland et al. (February 2006)[2] except as otherwise identified below. The main source assumes grid capacity is available. Without this the potential drops significantly to circa 33 TWh.
Current renewable capacity source for Hydro, Wind, Tidal and Wave (May 2010 figures):[160]
Current renewable capacity source for Wood (2008 figures):[145]
Current renewable capacity source for Wave and Landfill gas (2006 figure):[8]
The tidal potential of the Pentland Firth alone is estimated elsewhere at over 10 GW.[50]
Potential hydro production source: extrapolated from 2004 data in[57]
Potential wood production source:[73]
Potential geothermal energy source:[97]
Potential biomass energy is also estimated at 13.5 TWh[97]
Potential solar energy source:[97]
Potential Energy: '?' indicates an unsourced estimate based on potential capacity. Conversely, geothermal potential capacity is estimated from potential output.
Micro generation (including solar) is estimated as having the potential of producing up to 40% of current electrical demand by 2050 i.e. circa 14 TWh.[14] The above figures assume 12% by 2020.
Blank entries mean no data is available. In the cases of the current capacity of biomass, biodiesel and geothermal these will have been very small.

See also

Scotland

  • Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland
  • Community Energy Scotland
  • List of power stations in Scotland
  • Sustainable development in Scotland

Europe

  • Oil phase-out in Sweden
  • Renewable energy in the European Union

Global

Main references

Notes and references

  1. ↑ See for example: Scottish Executive (2005) Choosing Our Future: Scotland's Sustainable Development Strategy. Edinburgh.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 RSPB Scotland, WWF Scotland and FOE Scotland (February 2006) The Power of Scotland: Cutting Carbon with Scotland's Renewable Energy. RSPB et al.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Scottish Energy Review. (November 2005) Scottish National Party Framework Paper. Edinburgh.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Scottish Renewables (January 2006) Market and Planning Report. Issue No 4.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Monbiot, George (2006) Heat: How to Stop the Planet Burning. London. Allen Lane.
  6. ↑ ""Peterhead hydrogen project"". BP. http://www.peterheadhydrogenpower.com/. Retrieved 2007-02-02. 
  7. ↑ HICEC. (2006) Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company Annual Review. (PDF). Inverness. Retrieved on 31 August 2007.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 ""Green Energy Awards—Review No.33"" (pdf). Scottish Renewables. December 2006. http://www.scottishrenewables.com/MultimediaGallery/c503375c-2661-49bb-889e-08db2083967b.pdf. Retrieved 2007-04-19. From this document 'Energy from Waste' is recorded as 61 MW.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Home page Scottish Renewables. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  10. ↑ ""Scottish Renewables FAQ"". http://www.scottishrenewables.com/Default.aspx?DocumentID=a6064c40-26ff-4ef8-899d-815982fcbe00. Retrieved 2007-04-19. 
  11. ↑ The bulk of electricity production is derived from gas and oil. 2002 figures used in RSPB Scotland et al. (2006) are gas (34%), oil (28%), coal (18%) and nuclear (17%), with renewables 3% (principally hydro-electric), prior to the substantial growth in wind power output.
  12. ↑ A Gigawatt (GW) is a measure of productive capacity. Terawatt-hours (TWh) measure actual output. Thus, an 8GW power station operating ten hours per day will produce 8x10=80 TWh of electricity. Whenever possible this article refers to predictions of maximum output in GW. Using energy productions in TWh might be more useful in some ways but would tend to obscure the underlying assumptions unless every reference included a measure for maximum output, capacity factor and assumed production, which might prove cumbersome. See also Summary of Scotland's resource potential Note a.
  13. ↑ AEA Technology. (January 2006) Scottish Energy Study. Summary Report for the Scottish Executive. ISBN 0 7559 1308 6
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 The role of nuclear power in a low carbon economy. (2006) (PDF) Sustainable Development Commission. London.
  15. ↑ Scotland's Renewable Energy Potential: Realising the 2020 Target—Future Generation Group Report (2005) Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FREDS). Edinburgh. ISBN 0 7559 4721 5
  16. ↑ "Renewable energy potential" (27 November 2007) The Scottish Government. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  17. ↑ MacDonnel, Hamish (30 January 2008) "Scotland aims to lead world in global warming battle". Edinburgh. The Scotsman".
  18. ↑ "Clean, green energy" (17 June 2009) Scottish Government. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  19. ↑ Stern, Sir Nicholas (2006) The Economics of Climate Change. London. HM Treasury. ISBN 0-521-70080-9
  20. ↑ ""Fourth Assessment Report (AR4)"". Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Working Group 1. http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/wg1_ar4.html. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
  21. ↑ The press reports are voluminous. See for example: "A Winter Wonderland" (10 December 2006) Edinburgh. Scotland on Sunday.; "Final Warning" (3 February 2007) London. The Independent.
  22. ↑ Douglas E. (8 July 2006) "Gone with the Wind". London. New Scientist.
  23. ↑ de Noord, M. et al.. "Potentials and Costs for Renewable Electricity Generation: A data overview" (PDF). ECN. http://www.ecn.nl/docs/library/report/2003/c03006.pdf. Retrieved 2007-02-04. 
  24. ↑ "Burradale Wind Farm Shetland Islands". REUK.co.uk. http://www.reuk.co.uk/Burradale-Wind-Farm-Shetland-Islands.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-03.  This record is claimed by Burradale wind farm, located just a few miles outside Lerwick and operated by Shetland Aerogenerators Ltd. Since opening in 2000, the turbines at this wind farm have had an average capacity factor of 52% and, according to this report, in 2005 averaged a world record 57.9%.
  25. ↑ "Scotland Starts Work on 140-Turbine Onshore Windfarm" RenewableEnergyAccess.com (13 October 2006) Retrieved on 29 August 2007
  26. ↑ "Hadyard Hill becomes the first wind farm in the UK to generate over 100 MW of power." BWEA News press release (11 April 2006) Retrieved on 29 August 2007.
  27. ↑ "UK's most powerful wind farm could power Paisley." (January 2006) BWEA News press release. Retrieved on 29 August 2007.
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  31. ↑ ""Beatrice Wind Farm Demonstrator Project FAQ"" (PDF). Talisman Energy. http://www.beatricewind.co.uk/Uploads/Downloads/Beatrice%20FAQ%20Updated%2014.02.06.pdf. Retrieved 2007-02-06. 
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  33. ↑ "New offshore wind farm contracts announced " BBC. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
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  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 ""Energy from our trees and forests"". renewscotland. Archived from the original on July 10, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070710233331/http://www.renewscotland.org/biomass/forestry.html. Retrieved 2007-02-07. 
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  41. ↑ "European Marine Energy Centre". http://www.emec.org.uk/. Retrieved 2007-02-03. 
  42. ↑ Highlands and Islands Enterprise (2007-09-28). "First Minister Opens New Tidal Energy Facility at EMEC". Press release. http://www.allmediascotland.com/media_releases/1687/first_minister_opens_new_tidal_energy_facility_at_emec. Retrieved 2007-10-01. "The centre offers developers the opportunity to test prototype devices in unrivalled wave and tidal conditions. Wave and tidal energy converters are connected to the National Grid via seabed cables running from open-water test berths. Testing takes place in a wide range of sea and weather conditions, with comprehensive round-the-clock monitoring." 
  43. ↑ "Green for go as isle plays host to world's largest wave farm" (23 January 2009) Edinburgh. The Scotsman. Retrieved on 3 February 2009.
  44. ↑ Fyall, Jenny (5 February 21010) "Turbines' £20 billion economic windfall". The Scotsman. Edinburgh.
  45. ↑ Dinwoodie, Robbie (19 May 2010) ""Launched: mighty sea snake that could power 500 homes". Glasgow; The Herald. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
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  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 "Marine Briefing" (December 2006) Scottish Renewables Forum. Glasgow.
  51. ↑ Dutta, Kunal (17 March 2010) "Marine energy projects approved for Scotland." The Independent. London.
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  55. ↑ "Major tidal power plan revealed" BBC News. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
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  58. ↑ Wood, Emma (2004) The Hydro Boys: Pioneers of Renewable Energy. Edinburgh. Luath Press. ISBN 1 84282 047 8
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  130. ↑ What's Your View on Wild Land? (2006) John Muir Trust. Pitlochry. See also "Renewable Energy Policy". John Muir Trust. http://www.jmt.org/responses-to-issues.asp. Retrieved 2007-08-31. 
  131. ↑ For example, a small-scale scheme proposed by North Harris development trust has been supported by the John Muir Trust, but opposed by Scottish Natural Heritage. The objection "caused outrage" and was withdrawn in September 2007. See Ross, David, (4 September 2007) "Heritage body in U-turn over island wind farm". Glasgow. The Herald. The project finally received planning consent for three 86 metre (282 ft) wind turbines in early 2008. See "North Harris community wind farm approved" (February 2008) John Muir Trust Journal No. 44. Page 5.
  132. ↑ Perry, David (22 November 2006) "Backing for North Sea Super-Grid plans". Aberdeen. Press and Journal.
  133. ↑ Dinning, R. J. (2006) "A response to the Scottish National Party Energy Review". (Microsoft Word document) London. Energy Institute. Retrieved 31 August 2007. This report notes "we are aware this topic has been contentious amongst Scottish generators and apparently perverse in that it acts against renewable energy in the remote areas where it is most abundant (the same is true for shore access to areas in which CO2 might be stored). However we have to observe the engineering logic surrounding the current regime—that generation be encouraged to deploy in areas, which avoid the wasted energy incurred in transmission losses". Nonetheless, Scottish Power have expressed concern that the current regime penalises the adoption of renewables.
  134. ↑ Akildade, Anthony (11 February 2007) "Osborne steps into row over green targets". Glasgow. Sunday Herald. This article outlines fears that subsidies for renewables will be targeted at offshore wind "which is more viable in England" than in Scotland where the technology "has yet to prove itself" because of the deeper waters off the coasts.
  135. ↑ Chambers, N. et al. (2004) Scotland’s Footprint. Oxford. Best Foot Forward.
  136. ↑ ""The Ecological Footprint: A resource accounting framework for measuring human demand on the biosphere"". European Environment Agency. http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/Ann1132753060. Retrieved 2007-02-04. 
  137. ↑ Global biocapacity averages 1.8 global hectares per person (excluding biodiversity considerations). Chambers (2004). Thus the UK is more typical than Scotland, which although having a high level of consumption, is relatively thinly populated.
  138. ↑ See for example, Lowson, Mike (4 June 2007). "Halting the rush to blight Scotland's scenic landscape". Aberdeen. Press and Journal.
  139. ↑ "Angus To Join Moray In Green Energy Initiative". (27 January 2007) Aberdeen. Press and Journal.
  140. ↑ "2.3. Alliance to promote RE industry in N.Scotland" News@All-Energy - Issue 155 - Late November 2009. All-Energy. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  141. ↑ Peter Martin; Geoff Sellers and John Wishart. ""Short Rotation Coppice:A potential biomass crop for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland"" (PDF). Orkney College. http://www.agronomy.uhi.ac.uk/Bruges.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-03. 
  142. ↑ "Freshers Festivals Edinburgh" Events Edinburgh. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  143. ↑ "UK wind power portfolio reaches new milestone: UK becomes 7th country in world to install over 2 gigawatts of wind energy". British Wind Energy Association (7 February 2007) BWEA News press release. Retrieved on 15 February 2007.
  144. ↑ Edwards, Rob (20 January 2008) "Who Needs Nuclear?" Glasgow. Sunday Herald.
  145. ↑ 145.0 145.1 Making Scotland a Leader in Green Energy: Framework for the development and deployment of renewables in Scotland. (October 2008) (pdf) Scottish Government and FREDS.
  146. ↑ Haworth, Jenny (24 July 2009) "It's switch-on time for Scotland's first offshore wind farm". Edinburgh. The Scotsman.
  147. ↑ Registered Power Zone Annual Report for period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 (pdf) Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution and Southern Electric Power Distribution. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  148. ↑ FACILITATE GENERATION CONNECTIONS ON ORKNEY BY AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTION NETWORK MANAGEMENT DTI. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  149. ↑ " Construction of the 'Grass as an energy crop' digester progressing well." (19 September 2007) Heat and Power Ltd. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
  150. ↑ "Introduction" Heat and Power Ltd. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
  151. ↑ Lawrie, Alexander (21 January 2008) "Cars run on whisky: what a dram fine idea". Glasgow. The Herald.
  152. ↑ "Tocardo makes first waves in Caithness" energycurrent.com Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  153. ↑ Ross, John (25 February 2008) "Tour to unlock the power of Pentland Firth". Edinburgh The Scotsman.
  154. ↑ Haworth, Jenny (29 September 2008) "Scotland to build world's first 'wind farms under the sea'." Edinburgh. The Scotsman.
  155. ↑ " Scotland marine energy potential to be mapped" Energysaving trust. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  156. ↑ Jha, Alok (3 January 2010) "Sun, wind and wave-powered: Europe unites to build renewables 'supergrid'." London. The Guardian.
  157. ↑ Murray, Ben (2009) "The Power of Scotland Renewed: Clean green energy for the nation's future." FOE Scotland, RSPB, World Development Movement and WWF.
  158. ↑ "Hydro schemes approved" Scottish Government. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  159. ↑ Delivering the New Generation of Energy (PDF). Scottish Renewables. ISBN 0-95533750-05 Retrieved on 6 April 2007.
  160. ↑ "Home" Scottish Renewables. Retrieved 29 May 2010.

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