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Hydro Electricity, Wind and Solar Power integrated to allow 24/7 power on Eigg

Synergie take on project management role

Eigg Electric commissioned Synergie Scotland Ltd to manage the whole project in August 2005. Ian MacGillivray, Managing Director of Synergie Scotland Ltd said, “We have been delighted to have been involved with such a unique and technically challenging project and we compliment the people of Eigg for their vision and determination to deliver a project with such a wide community benefit.”

The system will generate over 95% of the islands annual energy demand through a combination of Hydro Electric, Wind Power and Solar Energy, which is believed to be the first time that anyone has successfully integrated these three renewable energy sources.  The Hydro Electricity will be from a 100kW hydro scheme at located at Laig, and 2 smaller 6kW schemes at Kildonan and the pier.  The Windpower will be generated from a 24kW wind farm comprising four 6 kW Proven wind turbines on 15m masts which are located at Grulin on the south of the island and the Solar Energy will be from a 10kW Photovoltic Array at Glebe.

To ensure that constant power can be provided, a battery storage system has been designed which will compensate for short periods of up to 24 hours, where energy from renewable sources is not available.  Two 80kW diesel generators have also been installed to provide emergency back-up and to supplement the supply should the output from the renewable sources be lower than the demand. 
The system is fed from 3 main energy sources:

The generation system comprises a new 100kW Hydro Scheme, 4 off 6kW wind turbines, 9.5kW photovoltaic system, battery inverter system and two diesel generators.  The distributing system comprised 9 HV to LV transformer stations, 11km of HV cable and 9km of LV cabling and meters and changeover switches in each property.

Each of these systems in their remote locations, and the 45 households, 20 businesses and 6 community buildings on the island, are linked to together by 11km of buried cable that forms a high voltage network, linking generation with consumption.

John Booth, Director of Eigg Electric and who has been the co-ordinator of the project on the island said, “This project is the culmination of 10 years of achievement since the purchase of the island in 1997.  Eigg Electric gives us the green light to our future”

The project design and some enabling works were carried out during 2006 and early 2007, before the main design and build contract was awarded to Scottish Hydro Contracting in April 2007. 

Ian Cartwright - Regional Manager, Scottish Hydro Contracting said: “Scottish Hydro Contracting were appointed to design and install an electrical generation and distribution system to supply approximately 60 properties owned and occupied by the residents of Eigg which is a community owned island.  The system will be owned and operated by Eigg Electric with some on going maintenance and HV switching by Hydro Contracting.”

John Hutchison, Chairman of the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust said, “The Eigg Electric team has done an excellent job on behalf of the resilient Eigg community.  We are also grateful for the financial support from European Regional Development Fund, HIE Lochaber, Highlands & Islands Community Energy Company, Big Lottery, Scottish Community Household Renewables Initiative, Energy Saving Trust & Highland Council. Thanks also to Triodos Bank for assisting with financial arrangements”