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FEATURE

EcoIslands shown the Wight


way to go green with smart
grid and hydrogen energy
By Steve Barrett – Editor

EcoIsland is a wide-ranging initiative under which the Isle of Wight – a mainly


tourist-oriented island off the English south coast – plans to become a net
energy exporter by 2020, while halving its residents’ energy bills, eliminating
Local and national
waste going to landfill, and creating a significant number of green-tech jobs. energy approaches
EcoIsland – the largest single sustainability project in the UK – will also see
hydrogen vehicles on the roads and in the water around the Island, as well as Within the EcoIsland CIC sits the EcoIsland
providing a demonstration of smart grid technologies in tandem with the use of Energy Service Company (EESCo), which
will also act as an energy aggregator to enable
hydrogen for both vehicle refuelling and energy storage.
the trading of generation and demand assets
for the Island on the UK’s energy markets.
Islands are different is one of the most highly evolved,’ says A smart grid infrastructure will be deployed
Green. ‘We have 15 companies interested in to support the special projects, allowing the
Like many islands, the Isle of Wight (IOW) is demonstrating their technology as part of EESCo to integrate both generation assets and
particularly vulnerable in terms of meeting its the first phase of this project, and feasibility demand-side resources from the Island’s small
energy, fuel, food, water, and waste disposal studies have been completed.’ and medium enterprises (SMEs) and domestic
needs, and in particular it wants to improve its consumers.
energy security. The Island benefits from some This smart grid balancing system, with
of the best natural resources in the UK, with Community Interest significant demand-side management
great solar, wind and tidal power potential, as Company capabilities, will enable loads to be curtailed
well as promising geothermal resources just where advantageous market conditions prevail.
2 km below the surface. David Green is co-founder and CEO of the The minimal latency of the system will enable
EcoIsland aims to make the Isle of Wight EcoIsland Community Interest Company the aggregated system output to be traded on
energy self-sufficient and carbon-neutral by (CIC), which was launched in 2011 to the balancing mechanism and provide fast
2020, through technological innovation and provide a formal entity with the broad demand response for the National Grid.
by promoting and providing incentives for goal of improving the resilience of, and Energy storage is the ‘holy grail’ of the
social change. The EcoIsland concept is the promoting and achieving sustainability in aspirant smart grid, and the EcoIsland partners
brainchild of a charismatic local man, David the Isle of Wight. are involved with a number of trials of battery
Green, who has worked with a wide range of and hydrogen storage to supplement the
local people and international companies to ‘The tidal project energy system. This extra layer of fast response
bring it to fruition. is one of the most enhances the flexibility of the aggregated load
There are already quite a few solar PV available for trading. By managing the smart
installations on the Island, to the point that at
highly evolved’ infrastructure and ensuring the stability of
some times (e.g. Sunday mornings) the IOW The CIC is a newly constituted regulatory the grid, the EESCo will reduce the need for
is actually a net exporter of energy. Plans are framework in the UK that is specially expensive network reinforcement.
in hand for a £25 million (US$40 million) designed to accommodate social enterprise The Isle of Wight network is already one of
project to install rooftop solar panels on much initiatives. The CIC is allowed to buy, the most advanced, self-healing networks in
of the social housing across the Island, with sell, borrow, lend, own assets, and employ the UK at the 11 kV level, which is optimal
small and medium-scale wind turbines also without the typical constraints of a charity. for smart grid operations. The system will be
being encouraged for the wider community The key principle is that all of its assets are monitored and managed centrally, and will be
and small businesses. The IOW Council is locked into the community it serves. The optimised to ensure benefits for Island residents
also looking at utilising energy-from-waste EcoIsland CIC is also backed by the financial while maximising the tradable value of the
technologies, given the very limited space and technical resources of global partners energy generated and stored.
available for landfill disposal. Toshiba, IBM, Cable&Wireless Worldwide, Much of the generation will be committed
Furthermore, EcoIsland is investigating and Silver Spring Networks, and national to power purchase agreements, and benefit
possible tidal power installations at Hurst partners Toyota, SSE, ITM Power, Gloucester from subsidies such as Feed-In Tariffs (FITs),
Narrows in the west and/or St Catherine’s Composites, and Southern Water, as well as Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs),
Point at the southern tip. ‘The tidal project some 60 other partners and organisations. and Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI), with

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Fuel Cells Bulletin October 2012
FEATURE

a proportion of the energy output being held latency and ensures maximum responsiveness Solar and wind are intermittent resources,
outside of this mechanism to enable trades on and security of the system. The wireless mesh with a lot of energy when the sun is
the Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) and platform has one of the most sophisticated shining or the wind is blowing, and little or
bilateral markets. authentication and encryption systems nothing when they are not. Total oversight
available. of this generation capacity will provide a
The control systems need to monitor the mechanism for balancing the loads using
The heart is smart performance and outputs of the generation storage and demand-side management, thus
At the heart of the EcoIsland project is assets, and provide real-time assessments reducing the need for ‘spinning reserve’ and
a smart grid infrastructure developed of the demand side of the market, with avoiding costly re-enforcement issues. The
in collaboration with global partners links to the houses and SMEs and the active management of loads and generators
Cable&Wireless Worldwide, Silver Spring loads being managed by the utility SSE, connected to the grid can also help alleviate
Networks, Toshiba, and IBM. as the Distribution Network Operator. issues such as voltage, frequency, and reactive
Cable&Wireless and Silver Spring The systems also need to provide a level of power control during faults.
Networks are providing technology for forecasting for assets, and reflect an accurate The net result of all the smart grid
the IPv6 communications platform, that profile of the energy market by assimilating technology will mean a more stable and
is a combination C&WW network and the patterns of the trades that are balanced grid network, with less of the
radiofrequency wireless mesh that connects undertaken. Finally, they need to provide a generated capacity needing to be constrained
houses, SMEs, and the component parts of control mechanism for curtailment events, by the network operator, and thereby
the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) resources. The and a feedback loop to the plant and maximising the value of generation from
communications platform provides two-way machinery across the Island. assets and producing a higher output per
control, and data can be sent back to the As a by-product of this, the systems MW installed. In addition, it should help
central hub for processing. The platform is provide very accurate output information and migrate home and SME demands away from
resilient, self-healing, and capable of remote alarms. The data will be accessible via central peak times which, following the introduction
upgrades to ensure that it is future-proof. control screens in the main trading centre, of time-sensitive tariffs, will result in reduced
The asset and telemetry data are routed but there will also be the option of displaying energy bills.
to the EcoHUB data centre for processing. summary data in a real-time dashboard
Initially this is likely to be a small server format on public display.
application at St Cross Business Park in One of the hidden benefits of this
Hydrogen energy
Newport, but as the need for larger-scale data system will be to provide SSE with a fully EcoIsland will also use renewably produced
processing emerges, there are plans to establish integrated load management system, that hydrogen for transportation fuelling and
a larger, ‘green’ data centre. The proximity of can interface with its existing system to as energy storage. In the summer the
the processing systems to the generation and help balance the load and provide frequency Technology Strategy Board, which acts as
demand-side assets is critical, as this reduces response for the mix of generation assets. the UK government’s innovation agency,

The overall structure of the Toshiba smart grid. [© Toshiba]

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October 2012 Fuel Cells Bulletin
FEATURE

Management System and the Distribution


Network Operator (DNO) networks, which
will enable it to actively participate in the
energy balancing of the distribution network
in future.
UÊ  Ê ÜˆÊ `iÛiœ«Ê >Ê ÕÃiÀÊ ˆ˜ÌiÀv>ViÊ ÌœÊ >œÜÊ
smart card payment facilities to the refuel-
lers, in order to meter and monitor the
provision of hydrogen.

>LiE7ˆÀiiÃÃÊ 7œÀ`܈`iÊ ÜˆÊ «ÀœÛˆ`iÊ
communications to allow remote monitor-
ing of both the refuellers and the vehicles,
and allow data collection and data ‘cloud’
integration.
UÊ /…iÊ >̈œ˜>Ê *…ÞÈV>Ê >LœÀ>̜ÀÞÊ ÜˆÊ
develop hydrogen purity tests to ensure
compliance with FCEV requirements
(ISO14687-2).
UÊ /…iÊ VœÏ>˜`Ê

Ê ÜˆÊ >ÃÈÃÌÊ ÜˆÌ…Ê ÃˆÌiÊ
surveying, planning applications, and will
operate the hydrogen car club, which
The role of hydrogen in the EcoIsland smart grid. counts wind energy company Vestas and
Southern Water among its members. With
awarded a grant to fund a £4.66 million ($7.5 The hydrogen project will design, build, Arcola Energy the CIC will organise and
million) project that will build and integrate a install, and operate two grid-connected run an FCEV road show with ride & drive
hydrogen energy storage and vehicle refuelling hydrogen refuelling platforms in the Isle opportunities.
system into the power system in the Isle of of Wight, with both offering dual 350 and UÊ ÀVœ>Ê ˜iÀ}ÞÊ܈Ê`iÛiœ«Ê>˜Êi`ÕV>̈œ˜>Ê
Wight [FCB, July 2012, p1]. 700 bar refuelling capability. A 15 kg/day and dissemination package, and will pro-
The project will be led by Sheffield-based refueller will be used in a marine application vide public and commercial engagement
ITM Power in collaboration with SSE, located on the south coast of the Island, and activities.
Toshiba, IBM, Cable&Wireless Worldwide, a larger 100–125 kg/day unit will be installed UÊ
…iiÌ>…Ê>Àˆ˜iÊ܈ÊLՈ`Ê>ʅÞ`Àœ}i˜ÊV>Ì>-
the National Physical Laboratory, Cheetah at a centrally located business park for the maran in conjunction with ITM Power, and
Marine, Arcola Energy, the EcoIsland CIC, operation of a fleet of hydrogen vehicles, operate it in validation trials.
and the Universities of Glamorgan and including vehicles from Hyundai, Microcab, UÊ /…iÊ 1˜ˆÛiÀÈ̈iÃÊ œvÊ œÌ̈˜}…>“Ê >˜`Ê
Nottingham. ITM Power will receive £1.3 and Riversimple. The vehicles showcased Glamorgan will evaluate the performance
million ($2.1 million) of grant funding will include fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) and operating characteristics of the hydro-
directly, with a further £1 million going cars, hydrogen internal combustion engine gen refuelling stations, and use their own
to the collaboration partners who are (HICE) vans, and a HICE boat. ITM Power electrolyser-fed refuelling sta-
integrating their equipment with ITM tions to devise refuelling strategies to
Power’s refuelling technology. [See the feature ‘We are delighted that the optimise the efficiency of operation.
on ITM Power’s hydrogen refuelling technology Technology Strategy Board
in FCB, January 2012.] Project management and reporting will
The project focuses on the integration of
is backing this key element include a high-level steering group,
an electrolyser-based hydrogen refueller with to our plans’ meeting twice a year, that is made up of
the Island’s renewable energy sources. This consortium executives, key industry and
allows the electrolyser to act as a demand-side The system includes integrated power control other stakeholders, and representatives from
management (DSM) mechanism to manage systems to allow the electrolysers to operate as automotive OEMs including Toyota Europe
the variable load of the renewables, storing a DSM load under a variable load factor, and and Hyundai.
excess energy as zero-carbon hydrogen fuel for a highly accurate metering and monitoring ‘We are delighted that the Technology
vehicular use. system for hydrogen delivery. The project Strategy Board is backing this key element
There is also the potential in the future participants have the following roles: to our plans,’ says David Green. ‘We will be
to sell excess hydrogen to the natural the model for the future smart grid, and the
gas network, which can take up to 15% UÊ /Ê *œÜiÀÊ ÜˆÊ `iÈ}˜Ê >˜`Ê LՈ`Ê ÌÜœÊ Isle of Wight will become a global centre for
hydrogen, decarbonising the gas supply hydrogen refuellers, and take a key role in energy technology. The team we have pulled
without any changes required to existing the system integration. together for this project has the potential to
appliances. ITM Power is participating in a UÊ -- Ê ˆÃÊ «ÀœÛˆ`ˆ˜}Ê Ì…iÊ }Àˆ`Ê Vœ˜˜iV̈œ˜Ê ÌœÊ lead the world in smart grid systems.’
separate feasibility study, called GridGas, to utilise the Island’s renewable energy sources,
look at injecting hydrogen generated using and will use the refueller and vehicles in the
electrolysis fed by excess renewables into the final year of demonstration.
Hydrogen mobility
UK’s gas networks [FCB, April 2012, p1, and UÊ /œÃ…ˆL>Ê ÜˆÊ i˜ÃÕÀiÊ Vœ“«>̈LˆˆÌÞÊ œvÊ The Isle of Wight hosted one of the
September 2012, p8]. the hydrogen system with its Energy initial hydrogen vehicle and fuelling

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Fuel Cells Bulletin October 2012
FEATURE

demonstrations in ITM Power’s Hydrogen


On-Site Trials (HOST) programme, with
Vestas Wind Systems. The Danish wind
turbine manufacturer has a research and
development centre in Newport, which
under HOST operated two Ford Transit vans
with hydrogen internal combustion engines
converted by Revolve Technologies. (There
also a small number of charging points for
battery electric vehicles.)
As well as the hydrogen road vehicles,
ITM Power is also providing refuelling for
a hydrogen powered catamaran in a project
with boat builder Cheetah Marine in Ventnor
[FCB, January 2012, p8]. The companies will
A Revolve Technologies HICE van, the ITM Power transportable hydrogen refuelling station, and a
work to optimise existing gasoline outboard Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle being demonstrated at the recent EcoIslands Global Summit.
motors to run on hydrogen, reducing both
emissions and fuel costs. The resulting vessel this initiative as a significant step towards The EcoIslands Accord signatories so far
will be taken through the approvals process, communities taking responsibility for their include Bornholm in Denmark, Winchester
to be marketed as a product alongside ITM own energy needs and local environmental Action on Climate Change (representing the
Power’s refuelling equipment. sustainability. Hampshire city/region), and proxy signatures
‘Hydrogen is a realistic fuel substitute for by the Scottish Islands Federation (15 in
marine applications, and will play a vital role ‘What we’re doing with total) as well as Eigg and Cumbrae, and the
in reducing emissions while helping to protect EcoIslands is hugely US state of Hawaii, with other communities
the sensitive inshore environment,’ says Sean needing more time and discussions back
Strevens, Managing Director of Cheetah
ambitious, but it’s also home before formally signing the Accord.
Marine. practical, scientifically ‘What we’re doing with EcoIslands is hugely
Island energy systems are one of the key sound, measurable, ambitious, but it’s also practical, scientifically
entry markets for onsite hydrogen fuel and verifiable’ sound, measurable, and verifiable,’ says David
production, since islands have high fuel prices Green. ‘Often it’s the smallest places that can
and difficult fuel logistics. Most island systems ‘What we see here today is the demonstrate the greatest change, and what we
utilise significant numbers of marine vehicles, embodiment of the kind of approach which are doing on our small islands is providing an
which represent a sizable global market for is close to my heart in developing another example of what countries and continents can
outboard engines. Emissions are an important new paradigm, the new paradigm of local do around the world.’
focus for the industry, owing to restrictive use ownership of energy,’ says Hayes. ‘It is The Summit closed with a live video link
in the sensitive environment around the shore. central to the EcoIsland approach, which to the first EcoIslands Ambassador, reggae
is about local people taking control of artist and sustainability advocate Derek
their own futures by making the ambitious Sandy on the Caribbean island of Tobago,
EcoIslands Global commitment to living within their means – who gave the first play of his specially written
Summit giving themselves securer supplies of energy reggae song as an anthem for the EcoIsland
and lowering their energy bills.’ movement.
With the Isle of Wight’s EcoIsland project now Another key element of the summit was The next Global Summit will take place
under way, the idea is being pushed out to discussions and negotiations to encourage next year on the Baltic island of Bornholm,
other communities around the world that also signatories to the EcoIslands Accord. This with a further announcement once the initial
want to be self-sufficient in renewable energy aims to unite island and regional communities arrangements have been made.
and achieve sustainability in their land space. around the world in a public commitment
This is open to regions and cities as well as to the ambitious targets of becoming
islands, since the emphasis is on community renewable energy self-sufficient by 2020,
Further information
ownership. and sustainable by 2030. The latter is taken EcoIsland: www.eco-island.org
To this end, the first EcoIslands Global as the community’s ‘ecological footprint’ – a
ITM Power: www.itm-power.com
Summit took place in Cowes, Isle of broader measure of sustainability than the
Wight in mid-October, with speakers and widely discussed carbon footprint – being no Cable&Wireless Worldwide, Utilities:
participants from numerous other island and larger than the actual land area it occupies. By www.cw.com/services/industry/utilities
regional communities. As well as workshops way of example, Oxford-based sustainability IBM, Smart Grid:
for discussion of the many aspects of the consultants Best Foot Forward have calculated www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/smart_grid/ideas
EcoIsland concept, the summit included the IOW’s ecological footprint, which has
Silver Spring Networks, Smart Metering:
a number of presentations on the various been estimated as nearly three islands’ worth
www.silverspringnet.com/products/metering-devices.
technologies in hand or under consideration. of land – which clearly is not sustainable.
html
The keynote speech was given by the EcoIsland and other IOW initiatives are
UK’s energy minister, John Hayes, in a clear expected to be already making progress in Toshiba, Smart Community:
signal that the national government sees bringing this down. www.toshiba-smartcommunity.com/EN

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October 2012 Fuel Cells Bulletin

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