ORKNEY'S ENERGY FUTURE
PROJECT DEFINITION AND AIMS
To investigate how Orkney's surplus electricity could decarbonise its fossil fuel heavy sectors
Calculate surplus electricity scenarios based on current and future renewable generation
Investigate technologies to decarbonise the most fossil fuel intensive sectors
Generate daily and hourly electricity demand profiles for the decarbonising technologies
Suggest a timeline for implementation of technologies
Propose storage solutions to fully utilise the surplus
Compare sustainability of scenarios based on social, environmental and economic factors
METHODOLOGY
ELECTRICITY GENERATION
Calculate electricity generation from current onshore wind farms
Calculate electricity generation from future planned wind farms
Combine current and future generation into 5 generation scenarios
ELECTRICITY DEMAND
Construct daily and hourly electricity demand based on current electricity use
QUANTIFY SURPLUS ELECTRICITY FOR GENERATION SCENARIOS
DETERMINE MOST FOSSIL FUEL INTENSIVE SECTORS FOR FOCUS
Identify and select technology to decarbonise, calculate daily and hourly electricity demands, calculate capital and operating costs and propose timeline for implementation
DETERMINE IF THESE SECTORS CAN BE DECARBONISED WITH ELECTRICITY SURPLUS
ELECTRICITY STORAGE
Quantify battery storage required and investigate potential for hydrogen generation
EVALUATE COST, CO₂ SAVINGS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SCENARIOS
We are a group of students studying MSc Sustainable Engineering: Renewable Energy Systems and the Environment at the University of Strathclyde
We have defined a project tackling a real world problem whilst developing our knowledge and skillsets. We have adopted appropriate project management and communication methods.