Tough choices for Scottish Green Energy Awards' judges
On St Andrew’s Day, industry will come together in Edinburgh for the Scottish Green Energy Awards.
Among the 1,200 guests will be the excited finalists in 10 categories.
As a sneak peek, we’re giving access to the pages from Awards’ Programme which spell out why the judges considered each entry worthy of a hard-fought place on the shortlist.
We look forward to seeing you on November 30, when we’ll find out who’ll be going home with a Scottish Green Energy Award.
BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD, sponsored by Vattenfall
Lochaber Rural Education Trust and HWEnergy - Biomass SOS Project
Big-hearted HWEnergy’s ‘Biomass SOS!’ event saw staff spend a frantic day installing a renewable heat system at a charity adjoining the company’s Fort William HQ.
With no working central heating system, staff and visitors at Lochaber Rural Education Trust had previously felt the chill of a Highland winter, but now benefit from toasty radiators thanks to the Highlands heat specialists.
Locogen - Ben Mor Hydro 500kW Shared Ownership Project
When Coigach Community Development Company and Scottish Wildlife Trust’s dream of a hydro project at Achiltibuie, near Ullapool, faced legal issues and a fast-approaching FiT deadline, developer Locogen stepped in to help.
The Edinburgh business provided capital and expertise needed to resolve the issues and build the project, and will pass on a share of revenue for the lifetime of the scheme.
The ACCESS Project
The ACCESS project balances locally-owned hydro generation with distributed electrical demand from off-gas homes and businesses on Mull and Iona – in real-time.
The project has developed a replicable network protection and communications system for enabling ‘non-firm’ grid access to transmission-constrained generators, and will enable new community and locally-owned generation that otherwise could not connect to the grid.
It really is Assisting Communities to Connect to Electric Sustainable Sources.
BEST COMMUNITY PROJECT AWARD, sponsored by SSE
West Harris Trust - Talla na Mara
West Harris Trust wanted to create a resilient local energy economy using a 100kW wind turbine with a smart management system to serve the new Talla na Mara community centre and neighbouring houses at Horgabost, on the Isle of Lewis.
The turbine now does all that, as well as providing hot water to heat the centre.
Excess energy is available for charging electric vehicles.
Berwickshire Community Renewables - Hoprigshiels Community Windfarm
The Hoprigshiels Community Windfarm is a 7.5MW, three-turbine scheme near Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders.
A joint venture between Berwickshire Housing Association and Community Energy Scotland, it will provide £20 million for BHA over the next 25 years – money which will be used to build 500 new affordable homes.
CES’s £10 million revenue share will go to support communities developing renewable energy projects across Scotland.
Coigach Community Interest Company - Coigach Community Wind Project
The Coigach Community Wind Project is a fantastic example of the drive and determination of a group of local residents to see a project through to fruition over a 13-year period, against a plethora of barriers, any of which could have proved fatal were it not for the determination and hard work of those involved.
Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative
Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative is the largest scheme of its kind in the UK, with panels installed on 24 buildings across the city.
The project was funded by 500-person, £1.4 million share offer.
By the end of September 2016, it had accrued over £12,000 in community benefit and over the past year has generated more than one million kWh of electricity.
BEST INNOVATION AWARD, sponsored by Red Rock Power Limited
Scottish Water Horizons and SHARC Energy - Borders College Campus sewage energy recovery system
In December 2015 Borders College became the first public building anywhere in the UK to be heated by sewage.
The SHARC Energy system, installed in partnership with Scottish Water Horizons, enables the college to save 150 tonnes of carbon per year, as well as money on its heating bills compared to the cost of running an existing gas system.
Bright Green Hydrogen, Fife Council and Toshiba - The Levenmouth Community Energy Project
Bright Green Hydrogen, Fife Council and Toshiba, as partners of The Levenmouth Community Energy Project, use hydrogen produced by a wind turbine called Poppy to heat buildings and fuel 17 vehicles - one of Europe’s largest operational hydrogen mixed-use fleets.
The project has transformed the world’s largest coal export dock into an area of green energy and sustainability R&D.
National Grid and University of Strathclyde - Enhanced Frequency Control Capability (EFCC)
Maintaining the 50 Hz frequency of the transmission system is more challenging when renewable energy technologies are present, so strong fast-response services are needed to keep the grid stable
Enhanced Frequency Control Capability is a three-year project led by National Grid designed to explore how renewable and established technologies can help mitigate this challenge. It is being demonstrated at The University of Strathclyde’s Power Networks Demonstration Centre.
SP Energy Networks - Future Intelligent Transmission Network Substation (FITNESS)
SP Energy Networks’ Future Intelligent Transmission Network Substation reduces the carbon footprint and environmental impact of substations by 15% by minimizing use of copper, reducing building size and enabling the reuse of concrete structures.
FITNESS also reduces constraints on the network, enables renewable generation to connect with greater availability and control, and saves 10% on substation costs and through reduced asset investment.
CARBON REDUCTION AWARD, sponsored by SmartestEnergy
McDermid Energy Solutions – Cormac Engineering Biomass District Heating System
Cormac Engineering specialise in the supply and installation of bitumen handling equipment. Their Glasgow HQ was previously heated by gas, but bosses realised a more efficient, renewable alternative would generate money and allow them to expand their business.
A new 220kW wood pellet district heating system provides renewable space heating and hot water for offices and the factory space.
VG Energy - The Royal Highland Centre Biomass Heat Pod
As Scotland's showcase for the agricultural sector, The Royal Highland Centre hosts 250 events each year, attracting more than one million visitors.
Electric storage heaters and oil-fired boilers had meant high energy costs at the site, but VG Energy’s installation of a 350kW biomass boiler saves over £15k on fuel and returns almost £24k in RHI per annum.
Bright Green Hydrogen, Fife Council and Toshiba - The Levenmouth Community Energy Project
The Levenmouth Community Energy Project demonstrates Fife’s commitment to leading the way in renewables and sustainable transport.
The project, in Methil, includes deployment of the world's first hydrogen dual-fuel bin lorries, two hydrogen refuelling stations and a smart hydrogen energy management system.
It has also decarbonised the power supply to eight buildings at what was the world’s largest coal export dock.
CHAMPION OF RENEWABLES AWARD, sponsored by Vestas
Barbara Whiting
Green Business Fife was created by Barbara Whiting in 2007 to stimulate new business opportunities in the emerging environmental industries sector, and now has almost 500 members.
Barbara also helped to establish East Coast Renewables - a strategic collaboration of local authorities and associated organisations - and is the dedicated chairperson of the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association.
Wood
Wood takes its renewable energy leadership role seriously, disseminating knowledge through press releases, involvement in industry articles, speaking and chairing at key events, hosting webinars and our social media channels.
On the international stage, the company has brought its Scottish experience to England, Ireland, Germany and Japan, sharing insights on lessons learned in offshore wind, power curve testing, energy storage and individual blade control.
Dr Gareth Davies
Gareth Davies’ “strong, innovative leadership” of Aquatera means the small island business operates with a global perspective.
The company exports a range of products and services, collaborates with international partners and stakeholders and constantly raises Scotland’s profile in marine renewables.
Gareth’s dynamic, always-on approach makes him a green energy ambassador who embraces change and new opportunities.
Promoting Excellence in Employability and Transversal Skills (PEETS)
The PEETS project was funded under the ERASMUS+ program.
It brought 13 students from Scotland, Finland and the Netherlands to a 10-day intensive renewable energy study programme in Glasgow.
The students also built a scaled-down working wind farm and took part in a mock public enquiry to debate the varying views often attached to such developments.
CONTRIBUTION TO SKILLS AWARD, sponsored by Senvion
Centre for Doctoral Training in Wind and Marine Energy Systems
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Wind and Marine Energy Systems has provided training to over 89 postgraduate students since 2009, working with more than 30 industrial and research partners.
Whether it is wind forecasting, developing new turbines, modelling the impact of renewables on the grid or understanding life extension, its students have written over 300 papers and made contributions to international research projects.
2050 Climate Group
The 2050 Climate Group - a collection of young professionals from across Scotland who are committed to significantly cutting carbon emissions by the year 2050 - is engaging, educating and empowering Scotland’s future leaders to lead the low-carbon transition.
The group’s Young Leaders Development Programme combines climate change education with leadership and communications skills development for 150 young professionals across Scotland each year.
Energy Skills Partnership, Heriot-Watt University and ORE Catapult - Immersive Hybrid Reality Offshore Wind lab
A unique collaboration between the Energy Skills Partnership, Heriot-Watt University and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult has produced a world-first ‘Immersive Hybrid Reality’ offshore wind turbine.
The project will help train the next generation of offshore wind technicians and educate thousands about careers in the sector.
The system allows users to see their own hands and feet, tools or manuals while identifying faults - seemingly 110m above the waves.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD, sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise
There are no finalists in this category.
OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARD, sponsored by RPS Group
Atlantis Resources – MeyGen
The MeyGen project, Atlantis’s flagship, is the world’s largest tidal stream array.
It began exporting electricity to the grid in 2016 and in August 2017 achieved a world record with an output of 700MWh in just one month.
MeyGen has made a significant contribution to the wider renewable energy sector in Scotland and is a genuine world first, placing the Scottish tidal energy sector on the global stage.
Statoil ASA - Hywind Scotland
Hywind Scotland is the first floating offshore wind farm in the world, and positions Scotland and developers Statoil and Masdar as global leaders in floating wind technology.
The project takes advantage of the region’s vast wind potential, supportive policies and synergies from the existing oil and gas industry. Hywind is a stepping stone to unlock the vast market potential beyond traditional bottom-fixed offshore wind.
Nova Innovation – Shetland Tidal Array
Nova Innovation’s Bluemull Sound project in Shetland is the world’s first grid-connected, fully-operational tidal array.
At the end of April Nova announced that the three 100kW turbines deployed at the Shetland Tidal Array had reached full operational capacity. The project is now part of the EU’s flagship Enabling Future Arrays in Tidal (EnFAIT) project, worth €20 million.
OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD, sponsored by AREG
Sweco Energy Infrastructure Team
Sweco’s Energy Infrastructure Team are passionate about helping Scotland achieve its renewables targets through the provision of engineering, design and construction support to energy companies, developers, contractors and investors alike.
The team, led by Mike Tavern, has been involved in delivering >40% of all of Scotland’s installed onshore wind capacity, and are currently working on a further 500MW.
Green Marine (UK) Ltd
Green Marine is one of the world’s leading specialist marine energy O&M operators.
The company is the main marine contractor for Scotrenewables Tidal Power and has successfully installed and connected their SR2000 device - the largest floating tidal turbine in the world – on several occasions. Orkney-based Green Marine is also working on the MeyGen project, Hywind, Beatrice and the Moray East offshore wind farm.
Wood
With its roots firmly based in Scotland, Wood’s clean energy business, previously SgurrEnergy, strives to support the continued success of the Scottish renewables industry.
The company is supporting the MeyGen project, ORE Catapult’s Levenmouth demonstration turbine, the UK’s largest community wind farm and Bankend Rig Wind Farm, where the implementation of a forestry restructuring plan could increase production by up to 5%.
Leask Marine Ltd
Orkney’s Leask Marine remains at the forefront of the marine renewables industry, and has worked with 10 wave and tidal developers on 16 projects in the past year alone.
The company has also collaborated on major infrastructure projects including the Caithness-Moray subsea interconnector and Walney Phase 2 and Rampion Offshore Wind Farms.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AWARD, sponsored by 4Navitas (Green Energy Solutions) Ltd
Lochaber Rural Education Trust and HWEnergy - Biomass SOS Project
HWEnergy staff installed a biomass heating system at Lochaber Rural Education Trust’s HQ in just one day.
The heat – from HWEnergy’s own boiler – draws RHI support, and the company is now ring-fencing the extra cash into its Community Fund. Since starting the Fund in 2012, HWEnergy has donated more than £20,000 to charities, sports clubs and organisations throughout Scotland.
Clyde Wind Farm (Scotland) Ltd - Extension Project
Consent for a 54-turbine extension to the Clyde Wind Farm, one of the UK’s largest, was granted in July 2014.
The presence of two public drinking water reservoirs in the site’s catchment led to the adoption of an innovate approach to monitoring water quality in real-time, with loggers triggering a text message alert if too much sediment entered streams.
SP Energy Networks - Future Intelligent Transmission Network Substation (FITNESS)
Substations are expensive and dangerous pieces of grid hardware.
One aim of the FITNESS project was to reduce the use of lubricating oil on-site, cutting the risk of fire.
The project partners - ABB, GE Grid Solutions, Synaptec and The University of Manchester - successfully won support from Ofgem to deliver the FITNESS concept over a four-year, £10 million project.
Jackie and Calum Innes – Restoration of Downie’s Cottage, Braemar
Downie's Cottage near Braemar was rescued from demolition when the owners recognised its potential architectural and historic importance.
The cottage’s owners were keen to incorporate renewable technology into the refit and used a ground-source heat pump to provide an appropriate and sustainable heating solution to protect and maintain the fragile fabric of the building, which has an original heather thatch roof.
RISING STAR AWARD, sponsored by WSP
The finalists for this award are the winners from each category at the Young Professionals Green Energy Awards, which were held in Glasgow on one of the hottest days of 2017, May 25.