New Orkney project trials total energy integration

Known as ReFLEX (Responsive Flexibility) Orkney, the venture will be led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) alongside a consortium of partners. Using a combination of batteries, new electric vehicles, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging, flexible heating and an industrial hydrogen cell, the project will seek to optimise the storage and distribution of the archipelago’s considerable renewable energy resources. This will be done via what’s claimed to be a first-of-its-kind virtual energy system (VES) that allows heat, transport and electricity to be managed holistically.

“This new model will demonstrate how we can better interact with, own and manage our integrated energy systems locally, both at individual and community level,” said Neil Kermode, managing director at EMEC. “50 per cent of the project is being funded privately indicating the appetite that exists within the partners to make this project work. Orkney has already demonstrated high commitment for local sustainable energy solutions and the county is well on its way to decarbonising each aspect of the energy system.