Isles Of Scilly Looks To Renewables And The Cloud
Pioneering technology from PassivSystems, designed to forecast energy demand and control energy heating, storage and generation, will be installed in homes and businesses on the Isles of Scilly this year.
In a model that could potentially be replicated throughout communities worldwide, PassivSystems' cloud-based energy management systems will help deliver the flexibility required for a low-carbon energy system, helping support a rapid global transition from a high-carbon to a low-carbon economy.
The home energy services company, announced it will supply the home energy management systems for domestic buildings allowing them to be integrated into an Internet of Things (IoT) platform, and building energy monitoring systems for commercial properties.
PassivSystems will play a leading role in the Hitachi Europe-led project, named Smart Energy Islands (SEI) and will work closely with leading home battery company, Moixa Technology.
The SEI project, part financed by £8.6 million from the European Regional Development Fund, aims to reduce the island's reliance on fossil fuels, boost the use of renewable technologies and increase the number of low-carbon vehicles on the island.
"Our scalable cloud-based energy management platform will be integrated with a range of domestic and commercial renewable technologies, allowing islanders to reduce their reliance on imported fossil fuels, increase energy independence and lower their carbon footprint," commented Colin Calder, CEO, PassivSystems.
Calder continued: "Our energy management systems will be installed in homes across the Isles of Scilly. Ten of these will be "˜smart homes' piloting technologies from PassivSystems and Moixa Technology, including batteries and air source heat pumps. These technologies have the potential to significantly increase savings from solar PV systems."
Smart Islands programme
The project will lay the foundations for the wider Smart Islands programme, which could significantly reduce domestic energy bills by up to 40% by 2025. The programme also intends to increase renewable energy production by 40%, provide electric vehicles and charging points and offer internships, cultural exchanges and STEM skill delivery for young people.
With some of the highest household electricity consumption levels in the country, and with over one fifth of the population living in fuel poverty, islanders are expected to welcome this latest news, which will help improve the infrastructure and quality of life for both residents and business owners on the Isles of Scilly.
Hitachi Europe will lead the project and develop the IoT platform. It will unlock and balance renewable energy generation, allowing the islands to scale up renewable generation and increase their energy independence.
